Originally Posted by
Eggman
I see cloning as a last resort - a method that doesn't really address TPMS registration.
If the ultimate goal is to keep the TPMS functioning as cheaply/easily as possible, then I see cloning as a first resort.
Cloning is the fastest, cheapest and easiest way to handle TPMS sensor replacements. You can read a sensor ID and clone a replacement sensor in less than 2 minutes without touching the car's computer. If you can clone a TPMS sensor, you can handle sensor replacements in everything from a Tesla to a Mirage with no other tools or knowledge.
If you use the "traditional" TPMS replacement method (installing a new sensor and going through a vehicle-specific registration process), then the entire process takes longer, requires you to know each vehicle's re-learn process, and in some cases (Mirage) requires a specific type of expensive scan tool to initiate the re-learn process. Cloning eliminates all of these extra steps and additional hardware/software requirements.
I'm betting that most independent shops have gone to cloning as the first option for TPMS replacement because it's faster and they don't have to maintain expensive tools and software licenses. And if they use dual frequency programmable sensors, they only need to stock a single sensor.
By the way...I haven't tried it yet, but Autel told me that my tool can initiate a re-learn process in a Mirage even though it can't read ID's directly from the computer. I haven't tried it yet to verify that this is the case.
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 52.2 mpg (US) ... 22.2 km/L ... 4.5 L/100 km ... 62.6 mpg (Imp)