New TPMS Valve Activation Tool Available for TRW easycheck

There has been a new addition to the TRW easycheck service tool family - the valve activation tool.

This tool complements the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) functionality software added to comply with new EU legislation. The legislation states that all new cars introduced to market from 2012, and new cars sold from 2014, must have TPMS fitted as standard.

• Product reference - YTD750
  
• Easy-to-use handset with clear LED display and sound
  
• Tool has a power cut off switch to preserve battery life as well as a low battery indicator

How does it work?

• Vehicles fitted with a direct TPMS have sensors in the tyres
  
• These sensors are battery operated and only active when the vehicle is in motion
  
• When the vehicle is stationary, the valves ‘go to sleep’
  
• TRW’s valve activation tool  ‘wakes up’ the valves in the tyres
  
• The valves then emit a signal to communicate with the relevant ECU to allow the technician to work on the vehicle while it is stationary
  
• Conversely, the activation tool will also ‘listen’ to the signal to confirm that the valves are ‘talking’

How does the TPMS functionality on the TRW easycheck work?

• The TPMS functionality talks, via the 16-pin EOBD connector, to the relevant Electronic Control Unit (ECU) on the vehicle to detect tyre air pressure issues and the cause of them, for example a damaged tyre
  
• The TPMS functionality will also allow TRW easycheck to reprogramme valves to individual wheels following valve replacement

Why does the EU think mandatory TPMS is so important?

The EU legislation was introduced in March 2009. It followed the US introduction of the TREAD act denoting TPMS systems be fitted to all new cars and light vans sold in the US from 2008. This came about after accidents and roll-overs involving Ford Galaxys and Firestone tyres during the late 1990s resulted in more than 100 deaths.

In Europe, as well as for reasons of safety, the environmental impact is a driving force for the enforced introduction of TPMS.

Reports suggest under-inflated tyres result in:

• 2% increase in fuel consumption
  
• 25% decrease in the life of a tyre
  
• 20 million litres of unnecessary fuel consumption
  
• 2 million tonnes of CO2 dumped into the atmosphere
  
• 200 million tyres prematurely wasted globally

“The new legislation means that garages that aren’t properly equipped and technicians that aren’t properly trained – will be missing a trick – and a massive business opportunity. With TRW easycheck, sensible garages will be ahead of the game,” said Andrew Cooper, TRW’s general manager, diagnostics.