After the TREAD Act was mandated in 2007, all vehicles manufactured in the United States, beginning in 2008, must have direct or indirect TPMS systems installed. The Direct TPMS system uses TPMS sensors in the wheel to send information to the vehicle’s ECU to report sensor malfunction or low tire pressure. The Indirect TPMS system uses the ABS system to send information to the vehicle to report low tire pressure.

According to U.S. News and World Report, the top three selling vehicles in 2008 were:

• 2008 Ford F-150
• 2008 Chevy Silverado
• 2008 Toyota Camry
• 2008 Honda Accord
• 2008 Toyota Corolla

Each week, we will explore the diagnostics of the TPMS system of each vehicle, and teach you how to properly reset the system. This week, we will be going over the 2008 Honda Accord.

Before performing a relearn procedure, it is important to make sure the tires are inflated to placard pressure.

Honda Accord (2008)

Type of TPMS system:

• Direct TPMS, sensors are installed in the wheel

Type of OE sensor:

• Pacific Clamp-in Gen Pacific Fixed Angle Honda/Pacific, 42753-SWA-316

Sensor Frequency:

• 315 MHz

Aftermarket (Universal, Hybrid, Programmable, Configurable, One-to-One, OE-style) options for TPMS sensor replacement:

• BWD/Standard OE
• BWD/Standard Qwik
• Continental (OE-Style)
• Dill
• Dynamic
• ECH/NAPA OE-Design
• ECH/NAPA Qwik
• EZ-sensor®
• IntelliSens
• Mobiletron
• Myers UPro
• REDI-Sensor
• Schrader (OE-style)
• Sears
• Steelman Select
• Alligator Sens.it
• Hamaton OE-R (OE-style)
• Hamaton U-Pro
• Orange Universal
• PDQ

All service kits and OE-type (one-to-one) TPMS sensor options for the Honda Accord 2008 can be found in your VT56, VT55, and VT36 TPMS Tools in “Service TPMS”.

Type of Relearn procedure:

• OBD relearn, requires OBDII transfer

Type of TPMS tool required for TPMS reset:

• TPMS scan tool with OBDII module, such as the VT56
• OR TPMS activation tool (VT15, VT31, VT36) combined with a scan tool that has TPMS transfer capabilities through the DLC

OBD relearn:

• OBDII module is required
• Hold TPMS tool on left front tire sidewall next to the valve stem
• Repeat for the left front, right rear and right front tires
• Apply OBDII module to DLC
• Turn ignition ON
• Press OK on TPMS tool to transfer the TPMS sensor data to the vehicle’s ECU
• Disconnect OBD module from the DLC
• Turn ignition OFF then start the engine
• Drive for at least 5 minutes at 28 mph or more

Troubleshooting tips

Honda accord TPMS systems, direct vs. indirect

From 2008 to 2012, Honda Accord used the direct TPMS system, which means TPMS sensors are installed in the vehicle, sending information to the vehicle’s ECU from the TPMS sensor. In 2013, Honda switched to an indirect system, which does not use TPMS sensors to transfer tire pressure data. Instead, it uses the ABS system to send information about tire pressure to the vehicle, so no sensors are installed in the wheel. However, an indirect TPMS relearn procedure must be performed to recalibrate the system, which can be found in the SERVICE menu of the VT56.

Honda OBD relearn procedure steps reversed, Left Front, Left Rear, Right Rear, and Right Front

During the steps, most manufacturers require TPMS sensor activation in the following series: left front, right front, right rear, and left rear. However, Honda’s TPMS series of sensor activation during the relearn procedure is reversed. The correct order for the TPMS sensor activation during the TPMS relearn procedure to write the new sensor ID’s to the vehicle’s ECU is: left front, left rear, right rear and right front.

Honda TPMS DTC Codes: