Proudly Canadian. 🍁 We are located in Surrey, British Columbia. We do not ship to the USA. We do not ship Canada Post. We do not ship mounted wheels and tires, all items are shipped separately.
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Proudly Canadian. 🍁 We are located in Surrey, British Columbia. We do not ship to the USA. We do not ship Canada Post. We do not ship mounted wheels and tires, all items are shipped separately.
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Direct vs. Indirect TPMS: What’s the Difference?

TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System. It is the system in your vehicle that monitors tire pressure and alerts you when a tire may be underinflated.

There are two main types of TPMS systems: Direct TPMS and Indirect TPMS.

Direct TPMS

A Direct TPMS system uses physical pressure sensors inside the wheels to measure the air pressure in each tire.

These sensors are typically attached to the valve stem and transmit tire pressure information wirelessly to the vehicle.

How Direct TPMS Works

Each wheel contains a battery powered TPMS sensor that measures tire pressure. Depending on the vehicle, the system may display the pressure of each individual tire or simply illuminate a warning light when tire pressure is too low.

When Installing New Wheels

If your vehicle uses Direct TPMS and you are purchasing a second set of wheels, you will generally have two options:

1. Install new TPMS sensors

New compatible sensors can be installed in the new wheels so both sets of wheels have their own sensors.

2. Transfer your existing TPMS sensors

The sensors can sometimes be removed from your original wheels and transferred to the new wheels.

New sensors are usually the more convenient option when running separate summer and winter wheel packages.

Programming and Relearning

Some replacement TPMS sensors must be programmed to match the vehicle before installation.

The vehicle may also require a TPMS relearn so it recognizes the sensors installed in the wheels.

The exact procedure varies by vehicle. Some vehicles learn new sensors automatically after driving, while others require a specific relearn procedure or TPMS equipment.

Indirect TPMS

An Indirect TPMS system does not use pressure sensors inside the wheels.

Instead, the vehicle uses information from its ABS and wheel speed sensors to detect changes in how the tires are rotating.

When a tire loses pressure, its effective rolling diameter changes slightly. The vehicle can detect this difference and trigger the tire pressure warning.

The Big Advantage

Because there are no TPMS sensors inside the wheels, you normally do not need to purchase additional sensors when installing aftermarket or winter wheels.

After changing wheels, tires or adjusting tire pressures, the TPMS system may simply need to be reset or recalibrated through the vehicle.

Direct vs. Indirect TPMS

Direct TPMS Indirect TPMS
Sensors inside wheels Yes No
Measures tire pressure directly Yes No
Additional sensors may be needed for new wheels Yes No
Sensors have batteries Yes No
Sensor programming may be required Yes No
Uses ABS and wheel speed data No Yes
May require reset or relearn Yes Yes

How Do I Know Which TPMS System My Vehicle Has?

A tire pressure warning light alone does not tell you whether your vehicle has Direct or Indirect TPMS.

Many newer vehicles can also display individual tire pressures on the dashboard, which is a strong indication that the vehicle uses Direct TPMS.

The most reliable method is to confirm the TPMS system used by your specific year, make and model.

Do I Need TPMS Sensors With New Wheels?

If your vehicle has Direct TPMS: You will typically need compatible TPMS sensors installed in the new wheels if you want the TPMS system to function normally.

If your vehicle has Indirect TPMS: You do not need TPMS sensors installed in the wheels.

Need Help?

Not sure whether your vehicle uses Direct or Indirect TPMS?

Contact Premier Tires & Wheels with your vehicle's year, make and model, and we can help determine what your vehicle requires before ordering your wheels or tires.

 

Buying TPMS Sensors

If your vehicle uses Direct TPMS and you're purchasing new or replacement wheels, you may need TPMS sensors to keep your tire pressure monitoring system functioning properly.

At Premier Tires & Wheels, we carry replacement and programmable TPMS sensors for a wide range of vehicles.

When Should You Buy New TPMS Sensors?

You may want or need new sensors if:

  • You're purchasing a second set of wheels for winter or summer

  • Your existing TPMS sensors are damaged or no longer working

  • The batteries in your original sensors have reached the end of their life

  • You're purchasing aftermarket wheels and want to keep your original wheels complete

  • Your vehicle displays a TPMS warning or sensor fault

Do TPMS Sensors Need to Match My Vehicle?

Yes. TPMS sensors are not universally interchangeable between every vehicle.

The correct sensor must be compatible with your vehicle's TPMS system and operating frequency. Some replacement sensors also require programming before they can communicate with your vehicle.

If you're unsure which sensors you need, do not guess. Send us your vehicle's year, make and model, and we can help determine the correct TPMS sensors for your application.

Shop TPMS Sensors

Premier Tires & Wheels carries TPMS sensors for many popular cars, trucks and SUVs.

SHOP TPMS SENSORS

Not sure what to order? Contact us before purchasing and we'll help you find the correct sensors for your vehicle.