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When you're driving, you might come across some confusing situations. For example, the tire pressure light keeps staying on, but when you check, the tire pressure is normal. Or the tire pressure light is flashing, and it still stays on even after you inflate the tires. This is closely related to the vehicle's Tire Pressure Monitoring System(TPMS). TPMS is a standard feature in cars. It can check the tire pressure in real-time and use the light on the dashboard to tell the driver whether the tire condition is abnormal. When the indicator comes on abnormally, you may need to reset the tire pressure light.
How to reset the tire pressure light?
Generally, when you fix the pressure problem of each tire and make the tire pressure proper, the tire pressure light will go off by itself. If the light is still on, you need to do the following reset steps.
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After the car is turned off, put the car key into the ignition switch and turn it to the "ON" position to make the car get power (but don't start the engine). Or press the push - to - start button without stepping on the brake to make the car get power and the dashboard light up.
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Next, find the TPMS reset button. Press it continuously for 5 to 10 seconds until the tire pressure light on the dashboard flashes 3 to 5 times. Then let go of the button. This flashing means the car has received the reset command successfully.
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Then, start the car again and keep the car still. Wait patiently for 20 minutes. During this time, the sensors in the car will process and reset data. When the tire pressure light on the dashboard goes off, it means the initial reset is successful.
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After doing the above, start the car and drive for a certain distance, about 2 - 3 kilometers. While driving, the car's TPMS will re - calibrate and recognize the new tire pressure data. The tire pressure light should go off. If it stays on all the time, there may be something wrong with the TPMS sensor or the system itself.
Some ANCEL OBD2 scanners can find out which tire sensor has a problem. Once you fix the related problem, the OBD2 scanner can quickly erase the fault code stored in the car's computer. You can easily reset the TPMS light with one click and make your tire pressure monitoring system work normally again.
Are TPMS light and tire pressure light the same?
TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System. The tire pressure light is part of the TPMS. It is a warning signal used to convey to the driver that there is an abnormal tire pressure. A lit TPMS light may be related to various aspects of the system. For example, it could be due to sensor malfunctions, signal transmission issues, or problems with system modules, rather than just tire pressure alone.
tire pressure light on dash
Why does the tire pressure light come on?
During driving, the illumination of the tire pressure light is a warning signal sent by the vehicle. Different illuminated states have various underlying reasons.
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Flashing Tire Pressure Light
A flashing tire pressure light is generally due to a battery problem. TPMS sensors usually rely on batteries for power supply. When the battery of the sensor is almost exhausted, the signal transmission becomes unstable, which in turn causes the tire pressure light to flash.
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Steady Tire Pressure Light
A constantly - on tire pressure light generally means there is a problem with the tire itself, or the problem lies not with the tire but with the sensor itself.
- The tire pressure is lower than the standard value recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, and one or more tires are under - inflated.
- The tire has been punctured, resulting in slow air leakage.
- The valve stem ages and its sealing performance deteriorates, causing gas to slowly leak from the valve stem.
- Excessively high tire pressure can also cause the tire pressure light to stay on. Over - inflating the tire may increase the risk of a tire burst.
- Temperature changes can also be a factor. Cold weather can cause the tire pressure to drop, thus triggering the indicator light. Hot weather can cause the tire pressure to increase, thereby triggering the indicator light.
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Tire Pressure Light Status |
Possible Reasons |
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Flashing Tire Pressure Light |
TPMS sensor battery almost dead |
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Steady Tire Pressure Light
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1. Tire pressure lower than standard, tires under - inflated 2. Tire punctured, slow air leakage 3. Valve stem aged, poor sealing, gas leakage 4. Tire pressure too high, risk of tire burst 5. Temperature changes: tire pressure drops in cold weather, rises in hot weather |
Why is the tire pressure light still on after filling the tires?
If the tire pressure light is still on after you inflate the tires, there are mainly the following possibilities:
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TPMS System Delay
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sometimes has a reaction delay. Even though the tire pressure has returned to normal, the system may not update the data in time and still show the previous abnormal state, causing the tire pressure light to stay on continuously.
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Sensor Malfunction
The TPMS sensor of the tire may malfunction. For example, if the sensor is hit and the internal components are damaged, it cannot transmit the signal to the vehicle control system correctly even when the air pressure is normal. Then the system will determine that the tire pressure is abnormal and keep the tire pressure light on.
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System Needs to be Reset
In some vehicles, after adjusting the tire pressure, the tire pressure monitoring system needs to be reset manually. If the reset operation is not carried out, the system will not recognize the new air pressure data, and the tire pressure light will not go out.
What should I do if the light stays on?
When the TPMS light comes on on your dashboard, the first thing you need to check is the tire pressure. Make sure the pressure value meets the standard recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. If you find that the pressure of a certain tire is too low or too high, you need to inflate or deflate the tire accordingly for adjustment.
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Check if there are obvious damages on the tire surface, such as nails stuck in, cuts, bulges, etc. Examine whether there are signs of air leakage around the valve stem, like whether there are bubbles coming out.
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The Tire Pressure Monitoring System may have a delay. After adjusting the tire pressure, drive the vehicle for a while, usually about 10 to 20 minutes, to give the TPMS system enough time to update the data and re - evaluate the tire pressure condition.
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Sometimes, even if you have solved the tire pressure problem, the TPMS light is still on. You can solve this by resetting the TPMS system. Many vehicles are equipped with the function of resetting the tire pressure monitoring system. You can refer to the vehicle's user manual for the specific operation method. Generally speaking, you need to find the TPMS reset button on the steering wheel or near the dashboard of the vehicle and follow the prompts to perform the reset operation.
Can I continue driving when the tire pressure monitor light is on?
If the tire pressure warning light comes on, you need to pay attention. If the road conditions allow, you should immediately pull over and stop the car on the side of the road. Then turn on the hazard lights and place a warning triangle. Get out of the car to check if there are any problems with the tires. If there are no obvious issues with the tires, you can drive the car slowly to a repair shop for inspection and repair. Be careful not to drive too fast, make sharp turns, or brake suddenly. If the tire is punctured and leaking air, you can change to the spare tire and then drive to the repair shop. Remember that the spare tire cannot be used as a regular tire for a long time.
Related Reading: How Much Does It Cost To Replace A TPMS Sensor?
Tips for Preventing Abnormal Tire Pressure Light
Don't ignore the TPMS light that comes on the dashboard. It is an important warning signal from the vehicle about the tire - related conditions. Handling it in time can ensure driving safety.
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Regularly check the tire pressure to prevent the pressure from being too high or too low, and reduce the chance of the abnormal illumination of the tire pressure light.
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Check the appearance of the tires in daily life. Find out in time whether there are damages, bulges, nails stuck in on the tire surface, etc., to prevent abnormal tire pressure caused by tire damage.
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Maintain good driving habits. During daily driving, avoid fierce operations such as rapid acceleration, sudden braking, and frequent sharp turns.
FAQs
Where is the TPMS reset button?
Usually, the location of the TPMS reset button varies depending on the vehicle model. For some vehicles, the reset button is under the steering wheel, near the dashboard, on the center - console, or in the glove box. For some models, you may need to carry out the reset operation through the menu of the vehicle's infotainment system instead of using a physical button. You can refer to the vehicle's user manual, which will clearly indicate the location of the TPMS reset button for the specific vehicle model.
Will TPMS reset on its own?
In some cases, when the tire pressure returns to normal, the TPMS may reset automatically, and the tire - pressure light will go out. However, not all vehicle models support automatic reset. It is recommended to reset it manually to ensure the problem is solved.
