Federal law has required tire-pressure monitoring on all new light vehicles since 2008. Almost every car and truck on the road in Seguin has TPMS, and almost every car and truck older than a decade or so will eventually have a TPMS sensor go bad — the batteries inside the sensors aren't user-serviceable and they fail somewhere between 5 and 10 years in. Frank's Automotive handles TPMS sensor service, replacement, and the relearn procedures that older shops sometimes skip.
What the service covers
- TPMS module scan — read each sensor's ID, battery level, and signal strength through the scan tool
- Sensor inspection — visually check the valve stem (metal or rubber, depending on the sensor type); corrosion at the stem is a common slow-leak cause
- Battery test — sensor batteries last 5–10 years; once gone, the sensor is replaced as a unit
- Sensor replacement when needed — pull the tire, swap the sensor, reinstall the tire, rebalance
- Relearn procedure — most vehicles need a "relearn" so the system knows which sensor is at which corner. Some auto-relearn after a few miles; others need a scan tool. We do both
- Pressure adjustment to the door-jamb spec — overinflated tires ride rough and wear the center; underinflated tires ride hot and wear the edges
When you bring the vehicle in, we check all four corners plus the spare (where it's a full-size with its own sensor).
When to come in
- TPMS warning light is on — first check the actual tire pressure, but if pressures are correct and the light stays on, a sensor or the module is failing
- TPMS light flashes, then goes solid — communication failure with one or more sensors
- Light returns after correcting pressures — failing sensor or incomplete relearn
- You just had new tires installed elsewhere and the light won't go off — the shop didn't run the relearn
- You just had a rotation and tire positions are misreported on the dashboard
- Slow leak at a valve stem — corroded TPMS valve stem, often visible as a green or white powder
Driving on underinflated tires causes heat buildup, accelerated wear, and worse fuel economy. The TPMS exists for a reason — listen to it.
Why Frank's
ASE Certified, with the dedicated TPMS scan tools to read sensors, program replacements, and run all the relearn variants. We stock OEM-equivalent TPMS sensors for most makes. Covered by our 24-month / 24,000-mile warranty.
We'll get the light off and confirm the relearn before you leave the lot. Request an appointment or call (830) 379-4840.