Tire Pressure Monitoring System - Part 4

The 3 buttons on the top of the unit can be used to program the console, as seen in the previous article in this series, where we took a look at pairing the tire pressure sensors. In this article we will expand on the programming features, such as changing alarm thresholds, adjusting the units from metric to imperial, and other settings.

The wireless wheel sensors transmit pressure and temperature to the dashboard console screen (shown below) that displays the real-time data. The 3 buttons on the console unit (seen below) are used to activate and program the display.

Here are the instructions for programming the dashboard console unit:

1. The LEFT BUTTON is used to power up the display by holding it down for 3 seconds. The display will clear itself and set all digits to zero, if you are using it for the first time. Note that all 4 tires will be visible on the center car icon.

2. Press and hold the MENU BUTTON for 3 seconds; this will cause the console unit to enter the system configuration mode. There will be a few icons visible, but the most important one is the zero (0) on the left hand side of the display screen. There are clues as to what mode you are in; for example, mode 0 is the UNITS setting for Pressure, and it actually says "Unit P", although the word Unit is spit by the center car icon.

Please Note: This programming mode TIMES OUT in 60 SECONDS if you do nothing; it will then revert back to the screen that you see in step 1. Also, if you change your viewing angle the digits may not be distinct, making a 6 look like an 8, for instance.

3. There are 8 CONFIGURATION MODES, from 0 to 7. The zero on the left hand side is the MENU COUNTER. You can cycle through each parameter setting screen with either of the LEFT OR RIGHT BUTTONS, and the menu counter will show you which one you are on. The screen will also display clues about what it is.

4. Here are the 8 different modes, with Menu #, Description, Screen Characters:

• Menu Item 0 -> Select Tire Pressure Units (BAR or PSI) -> Unit P
• Menu Item 1 -> Select Tire Temperature Units (°C or °F) -> Unit t
• Menu Item 2 -> Set High Pressure Alarm -> PH
• Menu Item 3 -> Set Low Pressure Alarm -> PL
• Menu Item 4 -> Set High Temperature Alarm -> tH
• Menu Item 5 -> Swap Tire Sensors to Different Wheels - 0
• Menu Item 6 -> Assignment of Tire Sensors (Pairing) - 0
• Menu Item 7 -> Restore Factory Defaults -> dEFt

For the following parameter settings, we will assume you just turned on the power and held the menu key down for 3 seconds to enter the system configuration mode.

Menu 0: Select Tire Pressure Units (BAR or PSI)

1. Press the MENU key once, this causes the current setting (Bar or PSI) to flash.

2. Use the LEFT or RIGHT buttons to make your selection, then press MENU once more to save.

Menu 1: Select Tire Temperature Units (°C or °F)

1. Press the RIGHT key once, this selects menu item 1.

2. Press the MENU key once, this causes the current setting to flash.

3. Use the LEFT or RIGHT buttons to make your selection, then press MENU once more to save.

Menu 2: Set High Pressure Alarm

1. Press the RIGHT key 2 times, this selects menu item 2.

2. Press the MENU key once, this causes the current setting to flash.

3. Use the RIGHT or LEFT buttons to increase or decrease your selection, then press MENU once more to save.

Menu 3: Set Low Pressure Alarm

1. Press the RIGHT key 3 times, this selects menu item 3.

2. Press the MENU key once, this causes the current setting to flash.

3. Use the RIGHT or LEFT buttons to increase or decrease your selection, then press MENU once more to save.

Menu 4: Set High Temperature Alarm

1. Press the RIGHT key 4 times, this selects menu item 4.

2. Press the MENU key once, this causes the current setting to flash.

3. Use the RIGHT or LEFT buttons to increase or decrease your selection, then press MENU once more to save.

Menu 5: Swap Tire Sensors to Different Wheels

1. Press the RIGHT key 5 times, this selects menu item 5.

2. Press the MENU key once, this causes the 2 front tires on the center car icon to flash.

3. Use the RIGHT or LEFT buttons to cycle through all possible swaps, then press MENU once more to SWAP and save.

Menu 6: Assignment of Tire Sensors (Pairing)

Please see the previous article in this series.

Menu 7: Re-set to Factory Defaults

1. Press the RIGHT key 7 times, this selects menu item 7.

2. Press the MENU key once, this causes the factory defaults to be restored, and the console will turn off power.

Tire Sensor Battery Replacement:

The wheel sensor battery lasts typically 2 to 3 years, depending on how often you drive your vehicle. You can replace the internal button battery by using the wrench (provided) to unscrew the housing.

With the cover removed, if you turn the sensor upside down, the button battery will be at the top. You can slide it out and replace it, but be sure to note which side of the battery is the positive (+) terminal.

If you are interested, you can purchase the TPMS Retrofit Kit in our DIY online automation store.

Other Articles in this Series: