REVENUE
GENERATING
OPPORTUNITIES
TPMS Service
PROFESSIONAL TPMS SERVICE
BOOSTS THE BOTTOM LINE
When the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System
(TPMS) warning light
comes on the dash, there are many
possible reasons, all of which are
critical to correct in order to maintain
a safe system.
“Safety is the most important benefit
of TPMS, which means shops must
continue to focus on the role that proper
tire inflation plays in the operation of
the vehicle,” ATEQ’s Sheila Stevens,
marketing coordinator, says.
So, when a customer comes into the
shop for service, an important first step
may be educating the customer on the
importance of tire pressure to reduce
accidents, and furthermore lead to fuel
savings and improved gas mileage.
“Businesses that are successful
selling TPMS services are typically
the ones that can explain what it is and
demonstrate their expertise,” Bartec
USA CEO Scot Holloway says. “Tire
shops that show, through proper inspection
procedures, what’s really going on
with their customer’s wheel and tires
and TPMS sensors are able to sell the
sensor service.”
Stevens agrees that communicating
a need for proper maintenance and
sharing knowledge with customers is
the driving factor behind selling TPMS
service in a shop.
“When a TPMS sensor, valve or service
kit is necessary to install, customers
who learn from an informed service pro
more willingly opt in for TPMS service,”
Stevens says. “The customer profits from
great service, which can translate into
repeat business. Therefore, shops can
boost their bottom line with professional
TPMS service.”
Although expertise and experience
is important in any repair, tire shops
that specialize in TPMS aren’t the only
repair shops that can benefit from this
revenue opportunity, says Autel’s Marketing
46 PTEN DECEMBER 2017 www.VehicleServicePros.com
Director Daniel Bemiss. There are
several levels of TPMS service that can
be performed by service and body shops.
“TPMS tools that offer easier to
pinpoint system faults translate into
easier to perform TPMS service,”
Bemiss explains.“Suddenly more shops
can complete normal TPMS repairs inhouse
and only require tire shop help
for the more complicated tire repairs or
replacement programming.”
Repair recommendations
In order to integrate TPMS into
regular service, start by inspecting and
testing the system’s function every time
the vehicle is in for service, recommends
Bartec’s Holloway.
“Like regular tread inspection, testing
the TPMS is a great place to start
when discussing TPMS service with
the customer,” Holloway says. “’Test
Before You Touch’ is a great place to
start in order to maximize revenue; it
also is a great way to reduce liability.
Sensors that have stopped functioning
can often times take many miles and/or
days before they show themselves as a
“flashing light” on the instrument panel.
“By testing the customer’s sensors
before any work begins, you can easily
discover non-functioning sensors.
Instead of potentially ‘eating the cost’
of a failed sensor after the job’s complete,
you now have the opportunity to
sell them a replacement sensor,” Holloway
says.
While TPMS sensors have a battery
that will generally last a long time
untouched, unless damaged or plugged
up with sealant, there are other TPMS
components that may require more
regular attention, Holloway says.
“The valve stem (which the sensor
is attached to) needs regular maintenance
or replacement,” Holloway says.
“Aluminum valve stems are attached to
the wheel via a threaded nut and various
sealing pieces. The threads on the nut
have a special coating to prevent galvanic
corrosion. These pieces, the nut,
the valve core all corrode and decay over
time. It is always advised that every time
the tire is taken off the wheel, these 'service
items' be replaced.”
by Vesna Brajkovic, Assistant Editor
A timeline and evolution of TPMS.
Photo: ATEQ TPMS Tools
/www.VehicleServicePros.com