Bartec USA

Subaru TPMS

TPMS or Tire Pressure Monitoring System is fitted to Subaru cars to provide a warning of low pressure on any one of four or five tires on the vehicle (five if TPMS fitted in spare).

A TPMS from Schrader Electronics is fitted as part of the valve assembly in all Subaru cars according to the table shown below. The sensor measures the pressure and temperature in the tire and transmits this data along with the unique ID of the TPMS to the tire pressure monitor ECU/receiver.

If the TPMS ID is logged with the ECU then it is compared with the placard pressure and if under pressure then a warning light is lit on the dash mounted display.

Subaru TPMS types and Fitment

The manufacturers of the Subaru TPMS are Schrader Electronics.

  • B9 Tribeca - TPMS Sensors
  • Forester - TPMS Sensors
  • Impreza - TPMS Sensors
  • Legacy - TPMS Sensors
  • Outback - TPMS Sensors
  • Tribeca - TPMS Sensors
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The tables below show which models they are fitted to.
Grey indicates either no TPMS, it was indirect TPMS, or the model was discontinued.

Subaru
Model Year
2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
Ascent PAL PAL PAL PAL PAL PAL
B9 Tribeca Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader
BRZ Pacific
FAT
Pacific
FAT
Pacific Pacific Pacific Pacific Pacific Pacific Pacific Pacific
Crosstrek PAL PAL PAL PAL PAL PAL Schrader Schrader
Forester PAL PAL PAL PAL PAL Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader
Impreza PAL PAL PAL PAL PAL PAL PAL Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader
Legacy PAL PAL PAL PAL PAL PAL Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader
Outback PAL PAL PAL PAL PAL PAL Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader
Soltera Pacific
FAT
Tribeca Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader
WRX PAL PAL Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader
XV Crosstrek Schrader Schrader Schrader Schrader

TPMS Subaru Fault Diagnosis

TPMS replacement is called for when the TPMS fails due to mechanical or electrical failure, broken accelerometer, low TPMS battery power or blocked pressure port. One of the most common causes of failure is inappropriate handling during wheel or tire removal or servicing. The TPMS is an electronic component fitted as part of a heavyweight mechanical process.

Before attempting to replace a Subaru TPMS we advise the use of one our Bartec TPMS tools to establish the need for replacement and the nature of the fault. This may support a warranty claim but will also ensure that the dealer or tire shop is covered for liability claims. The legal position is that as soon as the dealer breaks down the wheel then he becomes liable and cannot allow the car to be driven away from his shop with the TPMS warning light still on. Many dealers have found that customers will not accept the costs for repair and may attribute any breakage to the dealer if there is no audit trail.

Bartec tools offer the capability to carry out a TPMS audit of the car and then show the customer the audit results from the screen or download them to a PC and print the audit results to show to the customer so that a cost can be agreed and the go ahead given before work commences. It is important to have a tool which can distinguish the correct TPMS in order to avoid picking up the transmission of other TPMS sensors, key fobs etc. It is important to limit your liability for any problems which occur.

The TPMS tool should be able to decode the transmission from the sensor and display the data. This will enable the technician to establish if the sensor has failed or is not fitted, whether the pressure port on the sensor is blocked, where the part is running at too high a temperature and other diagnostic information which might be included in the specific sensor (e.g. if there is a low battery condition on the TPMS). The direct TPMS will be attached to the back of the tire valve.

Your vehicle may have banded sensors (banded to the wheel) which are manufactured by VDO and Lear or stemmed sensors manufactured by Schrader. If you have banded sensors then the TPMS tool needs to be held on the tire at 180 degrees to the valve stem before activation. If the TPMS is mounted on the back of the valve stem then the TPMS tool will need to be held on the tire adjacent to the valve stem before activation.

If you get a no read on a banded sensor this may be because it has slipped on the band so you will need to retry at other positions before concluding the sensor is faulty.

TPMS Subaru Service Guide

The Bartec Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Guide contains comprehensive information on the mechanical and electrical procedure for TPMS replacement for all makes/models/year types going back to the year of their introduction including:

  • TPMS Service Requirements
  • Special tools reference guide

Model articles referencing all makes/models/years and including:

  • Description and operation of vehicle TPMS system
  • Warning indicator reset procedure
  • System Retrain/Relearn procedure
  • Dismounting/mounting cautions & Notes
  • Tire Pressure Sensor Replacement procedure
  • Wheel Nut torques
  • Tire Pressure Sensor Nut torques

Subaru TPMS Tool Training

Bartec are world leaders in the implementation of TPMS systems for the wheel and tire assembly plant and the car plant with over 70 installations worldwide.

As a result of this activity the company also leads the aftermarket with the most comprehensive range of TPMS dealer tools for the dealer, the tire shop and even the end user.

The market desperately needs information and training on TPMS, diagnosing faults and repairing/replacing, TPMS tools and support. Bartec has sought to answer some of the many questions by putting together a series of training videos which can be viewed by visiting www.bartecusa.com

Subaru TPMS Replacement

If a sensor proves faulty or is damaged then it will need to be replaced. This requires a new sensor to be fitted and the ECU to be reprogrammed with its unique ID and its position on the vehicle. The procedures for all vehicles are illustrated in the Bartec 'Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Guide' which shows service requirements, reset procedures, dismounting/mounting instructions, torque specifications etc for all makes/models and years.

The technician should always: refer to manufacturer's specifications for proper torque requirements when replacing nuts and valve cores; use new grommets, nuts, plastic or nickel-plated valve caps and electro-less, nickel-plated valve cores when performing any tire service; never use a brass valve core or un-plated brass cap with an aluminium TPMS sensor stem. Contact between dissimilar metals can cause galvanic corrosion, which can lead to loss of air pressure.

Note: The technician should avoid the use of any liquid or tire sealant injected into tires equipped with TPMS as this may block the pressure port and cause malfunction. If evidence of the use of tire sealant is noted upon dismounting the tire, it is highly recommended that the TPMS are replaced. It is also very important to remove all residual sealant from the inside of the tire and rim surfaces prior to re-installing the tire.

The Subaru range of cars unlike most vehicles made in North America do not have an inbuilt relearn mode to enable the vehicles to relearn the TPMS IDs when a TPMS repair tool is used to activate the sensor. It is important therefore to have access to a Bartec Tech600Pro tool which is able to diagnose Subaru TPMS issues and also has an extra interface to the vehicle OBDII/CANbus to communicate with the vehicle Engine Control Unit (ECU) and download the TPMS data. The Tech600Pro has this feature.

Contact Your TPMS Tool Dealer

Customers have told us our help desk guys are the best because of their wealth of information and experience; that they care about helping; and that they try that bit harder to sort out problems.

When you buy a Tech600Pro TPMS tool you gain access to the Bartec TPMS technical support for advice on replacement of TPMS and the use of TPMS tools on all vehicles not just Subaru.

The team has a wealth of experience with TPMS. These guys have worked in the car plants and also in the aftermarket solving the problems you are addressing.

Please browse our website for more information about Bartec USA LLC and our range of Subaru TPMS Tools and our professional support for Subaru Tire Pressure Monitor Sensors, then call toll free (866) 407-TPMS and speak to one of our team or e-mail us on sales@bartecusa.com.

Frequently Asked Subaru TPMS Questions

A programmable sensor such as the Ritesensor is the best option for the Subaru range as the Legacy has been fitted with a variety of OE sensors from Schrader between 2008 and 2021, so it is very easy to fit the wrong replacement sensor as they all have different specifications. A tool such as a TECH600Pro will identify the correct specification of part and program a sensor, such as Ritesensor, to replace ensuring correct functionality.
To carry out a TPMS repair on the Subaru range of vehicles you need one which can diagnose a fault by activating each sensor in turn at LF and identifying which sensor is causing the warning light to come on. You then need the same tool to program a programmable TPMS sensor such as the Ritesensor with the correct specification of sensor and relearn the vehicle ECU and turn out the warning light. The TECH600Pro has all of these attributes and is fast and easy to learn.
The tool needs to be able to identify the correct relearn or reset process and apply it. It should be capable of automatic relearn and should also have the manual relearn on the tool. The process termed RiteSync combines the relearn and programming steps and also turns out the warning light thereby reducing the time and simplifying the steps required to do a TPMS repair.

It is important to have access to a TECH600Pro tool which is able to diagnose Subaru TPMS issues and also interface to the vehicle OBDII/CANbus to communicate with the vehicle Engine Control Unit (ECU) and download the TPMS IDs and their wheel locations. As an example, the TECH600Pro relearn process is as follows for the Subaru Legacy:

OBD Connect
Inflate tires to Placard
Read all sensor IDs using tool
Connect tool to OBDII port

Tool will prompt you to ensure the key is on/engine off. Following the prompts, continue through the process until tool indicates relearn successful. If light does not go off, verify sensor modes are correct.

The tool displays the OE part number for the TPMS sensor to ensure the correct specification of replacement part is programmed.