The best and often least-expensive way to achieve the best possible fuel economy is to make sure your tires are in tip-top shape. One aspect of doing so is as easy as keeping all four tires at just the right pressure. But when was the last time you checked your tires?
Most of today’s vehicles make it super easy with a built-in tire pressure management system (TPMS). This automatically checks each for the right pressure and alerts you if they need attention, but every so often, you still need to do the work yourself and make sure your tires—and your TPMS—are all good to go. This is easily done with a TMPS tool, which resets tire pressure sensors so that your readings are always accurate. Check out our top picks for the best TPMS tools.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Autel MaxiTPMS New Generation Diagnostic & Service Tool
- Best Value: Autel MaxiTPMS TS401 TPMS System
- Honorable Mention: JDIAG 2IN1 TPMS Relearn Tool
- Best for Home Mechanics: Autel TS601 TPMS Relearn Tool
- Best Bargain: Autokcan TPMS Relearn Tool
Our Methodology
To identify the best TPMS tools available, we searched online for products at different price points and various features, and compared them with user reviews. We also looked at each device's compatibility with different TPMS sensors, gauged how compatible each was with modern vehicles, and chose those that offered the most versatility. Finally, we considered how extensive any given TPMS tool’s features and ability to read different codes was, opting to highlight those that could diagnose more problems for added convenience. To learn more about how we select and rate products, check this out.
Best TPMS Tool Reviews & Recommendations
Our Verdict
We chose the Autel MaxiTPMS New Generation Diagnostic & Service Tool as our top choice overall. This is because it recognizes sensors universally and seamlessly connects to your vehicle’s ECU. On the other hand, the hand-held Autel MaxiTPMS TS401 is our choice for best value because it works on 98 percent of today’s cars and trucks.
FAQs
You've got questions. The Drive has answers.
Q: What does a TPMS tool do?
This tool identifies the types of sensors in your tires and the information that the sensors contain. This information is necessary for the sensors to work correctly after you have performed maintenance such as a tire replacement or rotation. You use the tool to perform the proper relearn procedures to reset the system.
Q: Do all vehicles have a TPMS?
No, only newer cars and trucks. Manufacturers began to install TPMS in vehicles in the 1980s on a few luxury cars. Rollover problems on some vehicles in the late 1990s prompted laws mandating TPMS on U.S. vehicles. As of 2012, all vehicles sold in the U.S. and EU must have a TPMS.
Q: Can TPMS sensors be reprogrammed?
A: It depends on the kind of sensors your vehicle is equipped with. Many are reprogrammable, and all you need to reprogram them is one of the TPMS tools on our list above.
Q: Can I reset TPMS with an OBD2 scanner?
A: If your OBD2 scanner does come with the ability to read TPMS codes and reset its sensors, then you’ll be able to do so without a specialized TPMS tool. However, if your OBD2 scanner isn’t able to do so, you will need a separate device.
