TPMS is a technology that’s constantly changing. The sensor hardware and part behavior of early systems was quite different than what’s used today. Some of the first vehicles with TPMS had sensors that were activated magnetically. Others had parts with no sleep mode, i.e. the sensors emitted at constant intervals, whether or not the vehicle was moving or parked.

Later on, some vehicles came equipped with antennas in the wheel wells. These LF-initiators would activate the sensors while driving, which enabled the car/truck to learn new IDs automatically after sensor replacement. The antennas were also used for highline displays, i.e. vehicles that showed each tire’s pressure on the dash.

Vehicles that utilize sensor spin-direction data (clock-wise or counter clock-wise) eliminated the need for LF antennas while still offering the same functionality – automatic learning and/or location-detection.

Newer systems utilize an existing technology (ABS) to accomplish similar tasks The benefit is that cost, complexity & weight can be reduced. But in order to be compatible with newer models, the parts need to have an accelerometer that’s highly sensitive and a software algorithm that’s very accurate. The OEM sensors on those late-model cars & trucks utilize different position schemes when broadcasting – part always emits at 12 o’clock, part also provides angle when emitting, etc. Using those two sets of data (info from wheel-speed sensors in the hubs and from the TPMS sensors), the vehicles can automatically learn new sensors and/or auto-locate the new positions when rotating tires.

Shops that stock Alligator sens.it sensors are working with a part that is compatible with both early TPMS technology (LF-learning) and modern systems (ABS learning). Using sens.it sensors means less compatibility problems on vehicles.