Automobile mechanics and DIY lovers may understand the importance of TPMS. TPMS will notify you when your vehicle's tire pressure is too low or flat. By helping you maintain proper tire pressure, TPMS can improve your safety on the road by improving vehicle handling, reducing tire wear, shortening braking distance, and improving fuel economy. Therefore, every automobile mechanic and DIY lover should have a qualified TPMS tool in hand, so that you can not be troubled by security problems.
Today, I will introduce the two best TPMS tools I have used so far, Autel TS501 vs TS508, hoping to help you choose a TPMS tool suitable for your car.
Before that, let's introduce Autel to friends who don't know the brand. Autel is one of the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers of professional diagnostic tools and comprehensive TPMS solutions for the automotive after-sales market. Today, it has grown into a full range of automotive diagnostic products with industry-leading technology: a basic OBDII code reader, professional scanning tools, and a comprehensive diagnosis and analysis system. At the same time, we also provide a complete TPMS solution, equipped with full-featured TPMS diagnostic tools and general programmable OE replacement sensors.
OK, let's get to today's topic. Next, I will make an in-depth comparison between Autel TS501 and TS508 to understand the differences between MaxiTPMS TS501 vs TS508 and their advantages and disadvantages.
| Comparison |
MaxiTPMS TS508  |
MaxiTPMS TS501  |
|---|---|---|
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Customer Rating |
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Price |
$235.00 | $198.00 |
| Power |
3.7 V Li-polymer battery; 3200 mAh |
3.7 V Li-polymer battery; 2400mAh |
| Quick Mode & Advance Mode | √ | |
| Activate TPMS sensors | √ | √ |
| Read sensor data | √ | √ |
| TPMS diagnose, one step for complete TPMS health check | √ | √ |
| Read/clear TPMS DTCs; on-screen DTC description | √ | √ |
| Scan TPMS sensor ID and copy ID into MX-Sensor | √ | √ |
| Manual input OE ID into MX-sensor | √ | √ |
| Program MX-Sensor by auto creating sensor ID | √ | √ |
| Read Sensor ID by OBD and copy ID into MX-Sensor | √ | √ |
| Relearn by OBD function | √ | √ |
| Relearn procedure guide on the tool | √ | √ |
| Check Key FOB | √ | √ |
| Tire Type/Pressure selection | √ | |
| Built-in rechargeable li-ion battery | √ | √ |
| Strong housing with protective rubber boot | √ | √ |
| Print TPMS sensor data via PC | √ | √ |
| Internet updatable | USB | SD card |
| Multilingual support | √ | √ |
| Historical test records | √ | √ |
| Software Update | free | free |
| Limited one year warranty | √ | √ |
Autel ts501 vs ts508 have the same display screen(TFT color display (320 x 240 dpi)), but the battery capacity of ts501 is only 2400mAh, while ts508 has a 3200 mAh battery, which means that the working time of ts508 is longer.
TS 508 has quick mode & advance mode functions, which bring fast and smart TPMS. The quick mode includes basic tips functions, and the advanced mode includes complete functions. Unfortunately, this function is not available on TS501.In addition, the tire type and pressure selection function is also not available in TS501.
The ts508 uses a USB to update, while the ts501 uses an SD card.
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Autel MaxiTPMS TS508 TPMS Diagnostic & Service Tool
Used to activate all known TPMS sensors, read TPMS sensor status, check TPMS system health, program MX sensors and perform TPMS relearning. With the quick mode and advanced mode options, you can save time and energy by choosing the most appropriate way to complete TPMS work. |
TS508 is a new generation of complete tire pressure monitoring system tools, which provides the option to select one of two maintenance modes from the home screen to provide faster and more intelligent tire pressure monitoring system maintenance. Depending on the type of TPMS service required, selecting a basic fast mode or full advanced mode will reduce maintenance time.
Quick mode / advanced mode comparison
TPMS quick mode: basic TPMS functions used to quickly check TPMS sensors and program MX sensors
TPMS advanced mode: complete TPMS functions to perform sensor check, TPMS diagnosis, MX sensor program and sensor location relearning.
| PROS | CONS |
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Autel MaxiTPMS TS501
A new generation of wireless TPMS diagnosis and reset tool, which is specially used to diagnose TPMS problems and activate any known OEM / general TPMS sensor, ID clone or reprogram the sensor to the ECU of the vehicle, and turn off the warning lamp. |
The single screen organization allows you to easily read the direct feedback of all four sensors, clearly understand the status of all TPMS functions, compare sensor and ECU data, and then immediately find out the system fault to determine the repair scheme. The list of all sensor information can easily show the location where the sensor battery is low and needs to be replaced as soon as possible.
To perform basic sensor activation or complex diagnostic tool functions, simply follow the program options and on-screen display instructions. Ts501 provides code definition and visual/audio response to make the operation easier and more convenient.
Download free software updates to enhance diagnostics and expand vehicle coverage. Now, even the old TPMS tools can operate as the new ones!
TS501 can provide Relearning Program for specific sensors and connect to vehicle ECU through OBDII cable to provide a variety of programming options, including cloning sensor ID, automatically creating an ID, or manually writing sensor ID, while sensor positioning does not need to relearn sensors.
| PROS | CONS |
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It seems that MaxiTPMS TS501 and MaxiTPMS TS508 are the most difficult tasks for me to use. There is no doubt that as a car owner, I can choose anyone blindly without regret. However, TS508 seems to have some subtle differences, which gives it obvious advantages.
These include quick mode, long battery life, and complete functions. If you are engaged in car maintenance, these differences seem obvious. You may want to choose a tool to package everything into a simple and lightweight scanning tool.
However, the TS501 is also slightly cheaper. Ultimately, it's up to you. To me, TS501 and TS508 are like value for money. Both can be your choice.
Direct TPMS uses direct tire pressure sensors on each wheel to measure tire pressure, while indirect TPMS does not use sensors. Indirect TPMS often uses anti-lock braking system (ABS) speed sensors to calculate pressure.
Please consult your autel tool. The select vehicle makes models, and years. The tool will record whether the vehicle's tire pressure monitoring system is an indirect (TPMS sensor-free) system. The direct TPMS sensor is equipped with a rubber or metal stem.
The TPMS sensor for each wheel has a unique ID. The sensor ID and the associated wheel are registered in the TPMS module of the vehicle. When replacing the sensor or rotating the tire, you need to register or relearn the new sensor ID or the new sensor ID of the wheel position on the vehicle to the TPMS module of the vehicle.
There are three ways to relearn TPMS sensors:
1. Auto relay: drive the vehicle at a specific time and speed.
2. OBD relearning: TPMS tool needs to be connected to the OBD port of the vehicle to write (relearn) the sensor ID into the ECU of the vehicle. This procedure is often used for most Japanese and Korean-made vehicles, as well as Chrysler, Fiat, Land Rover, and Jaguar vehicles.
3. Fixed relearning: the new sensor ID can be relearned to the vehicle without driving the vehicle or writing the ID into the TPMS module of the vehicle. The procedure for re-learning the vehicle in this parking mode should be completed. This program is more often used in general motors, Ford, Nissan, and other Chinese and Japanese-made cars.
To access static relearning mode, you need to:
1) Use the OBD function of the autel TPMS tool to start the training or learning mode;
2) Follow the instructions of the autel tool to operate the onboard keys. After that, you need to activate all tire pressure sensors to complete the station relearn. Generally speaking, the starting sequence is clockwise, starting from the left front wheel and ending at the left rear wheel.
You can only program the original OEM TPMS and autel TPMS.
Latest note: The US version of the Autel TPMS tool has cut off two programming Sensor methods in August, Copy by Activation and Copy by manual input1, and TS501 and TS508 support OBD learning function, so the impact is relatively small.
Since Autel Maxisys Ultra is Autel’s most ambitious diagnostics tablet, and it’s price is not low. So some people may confused “ Is it worth the price tag”. YOTA MDT inquired on ScannerDanner forum, said “ I'm pretty confused where my dollars would be best spent, does the ultra have other features that dont come with the lower autel?”
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