FAQ

What does TPMS stand for?

TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

Why is my vehicle equipped with TPMS sensors?

Advantages of TPMS sensors:

• They warn the driver if the tire pressure is too low
• They reduce the risk of accidents caused by tire failure
• They optimize fuel consumption and tire life
• They reduce the risks involved with a slow puncture
• Safety in road traffic goes hand-in-hand with compliance with the tire pressure recommendations of your vehicle manufacturer. With today’s tires, however, it is almost impossible to detect a low tire pressure of 50% with the naked eye.

A vehicle equipped with TPMS can use TPMS sensors to display the internal pressure and warn the driver of low tire pressure by displaying a TPMS warning light.

Facts about tire pressure:

• A tire loses 0.2 bar “naturally” every 3 months.
• 85% of all tire blowouts are preceded by a slow puncture.
• A tire pressure that is too low is not only dangerous because it can cause the tire to explode, it also jeopardizes the stability of the vehicle and has a negative effect on fuel consumption and the overall life of the tire.

What is a TPMS activation or triggering device? 

A TPMS activation or triggering device enables the user to activate or program the wireless tire pressure monitoring sensors installed in the tire –  for example, all TPMS sensors have an internal battery that may discharge during storage. After completion of vehicle production at the factory, the TPMS sensors installed in the tires are left in a “sleeping” state when the vehicle is delivered. This why a TPMS activation device is required to “activate” the TPMS sensors installed in the tires.

TPMS activation and programming devices from VDO: VDO TPMS Pro, VDO TPMS Go

What effectively triggers a TPMS activation device?

The user triggers or decodes the TPMS sensor in the tire. However, the tire pressure sensor is physically inaccessible because it is inside the tire, so  the decoding or triggering of a sensor must take place wirelessly via a TPMS device.

Why does my workshop need a TPMS device?

A TPMS device is required for the following cases:

• Activation of a newly installed TPMS sensor
• Reprogramming of the TPMS ECU, enabling the vehicle to recognize the new sensor after the tire positioning has been changed, when summer and winter tires have been swapped, after a new wheel has been fitted, etc.
• Sending TPMS sensor information to the TPMS ECU after the TPMS sensor information has been activated and received.

What is a universal TPMS device?

A universal TPMS device can trigger or activate all the TPMS sensors known on the market, while other TPMS devices can only trigger one or a few sensors.

Universal TPMS workshop equipment from VDO: VDO TPMS Pro, VDO TPMS Go

What you should know before contacting our support:

Have you recently updated your software? The main cause of VDO TPMS device problems is outdated software. Update your device software and check if your problem still exists.

Why can my current TPMS device not trigger, activate or reset some sensors?

If your VDO TPMS device cannot activate or reset a sensor, we recommend updating your TPMS device to cover the latest TPMS sensors. New TPMS sensors are being introduced daily in the constantly growing TPMS market. Engineers are working hard to ensure that all known TPMS sensors are compatible with VDO TPMS devices.

VDO’s updatable TPMS devices, such as the VDO TPMS Pro, VDO TPMS Pro Print and the VDO TPMS Go, are always compatible with the latest TPMS sensors on the market.

How can I update my VDO TPMS device?

If you are upgrading your device for the first time, start right here.

• The device must be switched on and connected to the PC using the USB cable supplied with the device.
• Download the WebTPM PC software:  Download
• Run vdowebtpm.exe and follow the instructions.
• When the installation has finished, a desktop icon named “WebTPM” will be displayed.
• If you’re using WebTPM for the first time, right-click WebTPM and select “Run as Administrator”.
• When WebTPM finds the connected device, the window entitled “The device is not registered” is displayed. Click “YES” and register the device.
• Fill in the required fields and click “SEND”.
• Click UPDATE DEVICE.
• Wait until the following window appears: “Congratulations. Your device is now up-to-date”.
• Click “OKAY” and exit WebTPM.
• Disconnect the device and the USB cable from the PC.
• Switch the device off and on again.
• The update is now complete.

I can’t update my TPMS device. Why not?

Please try the following troubleshooting options before contacting support.

• Do you have a valid Update Plus license agreement?
  If your license agreement (Update Plus) has expired, please contact your device vendor to purchase a new license agreement.
• Is the battery charged? 
  Connect the device to the charger to prevent a low battery status.
• Which software version is installed on your PC? Is it compatible with the PC?
  Before performing the update, make sure that WebTPM is installed on your PC. See “How do I update my VDO TPMS device?” for more instructions.
• Does the PC recognize the device? 
  It might be helpful to change the USB port.
• Is the Internet connection okay?
  If the Internet connection was interrupted during the process, you must restart the entire process.
• Is the PC screen saver function deactivated?
  This could interrupt the update process. Please disable your screen saver or power save mode on your PC before proceeding.
• At what point was the installation interrupted?
  If errors already occur when the update starts, it might be helpful to set the device to boot mode.
  VDO TPMS Pro boot mode instructions: Switch off the device. Hold down the OK button, pressing and releasing the ON button at the same time.
  VDO TPMS Go boot mode instructions: Switch off the device. Hold down the OK button, pressing and releasing the ON button at the same time.
• The update sometimes has to be performed twice.

Why does my VDO TPMS Pro start flashing when I connect the OBDII module to a vehicle for the first time, after I’ve updated my device software?

If you connect the OBDII module immediately after the update of your device software, the device will attempt to communicatewith the vehicle and perform a firmware update at the same time. Just switch the device off and then on again. When the main menu is displayed, connect the OBDII module only to the device; the other end may not be connected to a vehicle. The OBDII module will be found by the device and firmware. The update will then start. It takes less than 60 seconds. When the update process has finished, disconnect the OBDII module from the device, then turn off the device. The update procedure is now complete.

Where can I find the serial number of the device?

VDO TPMS Pro: The serial number of the VDO TPMS Pro handheld device is located on the back of the device and starts with B366.

VDO TPMS Go: The serial number of the VDO TPMS Go handheld device is located on the back of the device and starts with K360.

Tire tread depth measuring device (TTD): The serial number of the VDO TTD handheld device is located on the back of the device and starts with B380.

My PC can’t find my device. Why not?

If WebTPM displays “Searching for device” or the “Device not found” error message is displayed, you may have to reinstall the USB drivers. This error can be due to the following causes:

• The user is trying to install WebTPM on a new PC.
• The user either had no device while trying to install WebTPM, or the device was not turned on or not connected. 

Download the USB drivers for your device (they’re on the supplied CD or USB stick).

WLAN SETUP

What happens if the device can’t connect to WebTPM?

If the device can’t connect to WebTPM, ask your network administrator to check the WLAN router settings:

• The router must support WLAN 802.11 b/g/n standards
• DHCP server: Set to default gateway option
• MAC address filtering: Activated
• Wireless Access Point (WAP) mode: Activated
• WLAN channels: Use channel 1, 6 or 11

How to set up WIFI for the VDO TPMS Pro (BETA):

Download

When I trigger a sensor, it doesn’t respond. Why not?

• Check if the vehicle is equipped with sensors or an indirect system. 
• On the VDO TPMS Pro, go to SERVICE, then select the brand, model and year of manufacture.
• On the VDO TPMS Go, go to PROGRAM SENSOR, then select the brand, model and year of manufacture.
• If you cannot find the sensor, change the position of the device on the tire. Wait at least 35 seconds. Change the distance between the device and the wheel. 
• Try this for all the sensors on the vehicle. None of the sensors emitting a signal is something that is almost unheard of.  If the other sensors react, the sensor in question is probably defective.

I can’t find the vehicle in the database. Why not?

If a vehicle is equipped with a TPMS that is not displayed on the device, please contact VDO.
E-Mail: autodiagnos@vdo.com
Hotline for devices: +49 (0) 069/15040150
Mo. to Fr., 9 am-12, 1 pm-5 pm (At the regular landline tariff of your telephone provider)

If it is a commercial vehicle, it may not be in the database.

If it is an imported vehicle, you may need to change the database in the settings (EUROPE, AMERICA, KOREA) to find it.

• On the VDO TPMS Pro, go to SETTINGS > AMERICA, or EUROPE or KOREA.
• On the VDO TPMS Go, go to SETTINGS > ZONE.

When I trigger the sensor, the “REDUCE TIRE PRESSURE” message appears.

Some first generation TPMS sensors must be pressurized before they can be activated. The correct procedure for a sensor installed in the wheel is to inflate the tire as shown on the tire sticker. The user should trigger the sensor and slowly reduce the tire pressure at the same time. The sensor will respond after a few seconds. Enter the correct tire pressure.

General recommendations for problems programming VDO TPMS devices

• We recommend that you program the sensors before installing them in the tires.
• Check the aftermarket sensors after programming them.
  On the VDO TPMS Pro, go to CHECK TPMS and then select the make, model and year of manufacture.
  On the VDO TPMS Go, go to CHECK SENSOR, then select the brand, model and year of manufacture (only for aftermarket models).
• The programmable sensors should react in the same way as the OE sensors. 

When I program a single sensor, a “CHECK ERROR, PLEASE RETRY” message is displayed on the device.   

• If this happens during the upload process, please check if the aftermarket sensor article number is compatible with the device. If all the data is correct, the sensor may be defective.
• If this happens during the test operation, the device´s database may be incorrect. Please contact VDO.
  E-Mail: autodiagnos@vdo.com
  Hotline for devices: +49 (0) 069/15040150
  Mo. to Fr., 9 am-12, 1 pm-5 pm (At the regular landline tariff of your telephone provider)

When I program a sensor, a “WRONG FREQUENCY, REPLACE SENSOR” message is displayed on the device    

The aftermarket sensor cannot be programmed at the frequency required for this vehicle (315 or 434 MHz). The user should check that the sensor is compatible with the selected vehicle.

When changing from summer to winter tires using the “COPY TIRE SET” function, the “CHECK ERROR, PLEASE RETRY” error message is displayed.

If this happens at the beginning of the process:

• Check that the aftermarket sensor is compatible. In the device, check that the sensor brand is in the list of compatible sensors for the brand, model and year of manufacture of the vehicle.
  On the VDO TPMS Pro, go to PROGRAM > BRAND, then select the brand, model and year of manufacture.
  On the VDO TPMS Go, go to PROGRAM SENSOR, then select the brand, model and year of manufacture (only for aftermarket models).
• If the sensor used is compatible, the device database may be incorrect. In this case, please contact VDO.     
  E-Mail: autodiagnos@vdo.com
  Hotline for devices: +49 (0) 069/15040150
  Mo. to Fr., 9 am-12, 1 pm-5 pm (At the regular landline tariff of your telephone provider)

If this happens during the confirmation process:

• Check that the aftermarket sensor is compatible.
  On the VDO TPMS Pro, go to PROGRAM > BRAND, then select the brand, model and year of manufacture.
  On the VDO TPMS Go, go to PROGRAM SENSOR, then select the brand, model and year of manufacture (only for aftermarket models).
• If all the data is correct, one of the programmable sensors could be defective. Please contact the sensor manufacturer.

IMPORTANT: If you are having problems with the OBD, please check the following points first:

• Make sure that the OBD module is the original that is intended to be used with the device. The VDO OBDII module is black with a white sticker.
• Check whether the VDO TPMS Pro is sufficiently charged: > 50% battery status.
• If the OBD module is connected to the VDO TPMS Pro with the RJ45 cable, make sure that the OBD symbol is displayed in the upper left corner of the device screen.
• On the VDO TPMS Pro, make sure that the green LED display on the OBD module is flashing. If the display is red, disconnect the cable from the OBD module and the device. Reconnect the cable and turn on the device. If the display is still red, either the OBD module, the cable or the device may be defective. Please contact VDO.
  E-Mail: autodiagnos@vdo.com
  Hotline for devices: +49 (0) 069/15040150
  Mo. to Fr., 9 am-12, 1 pm-5 pm (At the regular landline tariff of your telephone provider)

• On the VDO TPMS Pro, a YELLOW symbol appears in the lower left corner after sensor programming when the OBD protocol is ready for transmission. Connect the OBD module and continue.
• When connecting the OBD module to the vehicle, make sure that it is properly plugged into the vehicle’s OBD connector.
• The sensors MUST ALWAYS be triggered in the order displayed on our devices. The procedure starts with the left front wheel and ends with the left rear wheel.
• To transmit data to the TPMS ECU, the ignition must be ON and the engine OFF.
• IMPORTANT: After each tire pressure sensor relearning procedure, the OBD module must be disconnected from the vehicle and from the device.

After activating 4 OE or aftermarket sensors, I connect the OBDII module to the vehicle’s OBDII connector – but nothing happens.

Please check all the previous points before proceeding.

After activating 4 OE or aftermarket sensors, I connect the OBDII module to the vehicle’s OBDII connector. The “TRANSMISSION ERROR” message appears on the screen.

• Possible cause 1: If the status bar doesn’t move, the OBDII protocol is incorrect and no connection can be established between the VDO TPMS Pro and the TPMS ECU. The problem here lies in the vehicle database. Enter the VIN number to check the MMJ selection.
• Possible cause 2: If the status bar starts moving and stops in the middle of the process, it may be a software error or an incompatible aftermarket sensor that is not sending the correct data to the TPMS ECU.
• In the device, check to see if the aftermarket sensor is compatible.
  On the VDO TPMS Pro, go to PROGRAM > BRAND, then select the brand, model and year of manufacture.
  On the VDO TPMS Go, go to PROGRAM SENSOR, then select the brand, model and year of manufacture (only for aftermarket models).

When the OBD relearning has successfully completed, the TPMS display lights up again when the customer has been driving for a while.

• Cause: The aftermarket sensor is not sending the correct firmware to the vehicle.
• In the device, check to see if the aftermarket sensor is compatible.
  On the VDO TPMS Pro, go to PROGRAM > BRAND and then select the brand, model and year of manufacture.
  On the VDO TPMS Go, go to PROGRAM SENSOR, then select the brand, model and year of manufacture (only for aftermarket models).
• If the information is correct, contact the sensor manufacturer for further assistance.

VDO TPMS Pro printer: How can I check that the printer is working correctly?

• Check that the power cord is connected.
• Check that the printer is turned on (press the On/Off button for 3 seconds).
• Check that there is enough paper (check the direction of the paper output).
• Send a print command to the printer.

How can I check that the USB connection is working correctly?

• VDO TPMS Pro: Plug in the USB cable on the right side of the device. Check that the USB cable icon is showing in the left corner of the display. If the USB cable icon is displayed, the USB connection is working correctly.
• VDO TPMS Pro: Put the device in boot mode to test the USB cable connection. First switch off the device. Hold down the OK button, pressing and releasing the ON button at the same time.

Why can’t WebTPM find my device?

If WebTPM displays “Searching for device” or the error message “Device not found”, you may need to reinstall the USB drivers. This error can have the following causes:

• The user is trying to install WebTPM on a new PC.
• The user has not turned on the device or connected it during the WebTPM installation.