Tires are the shoes of your car. They play an important role in your safety while driving, and should always be kept in good condition. A tire sensor is a device that helps you maintain the health of your tires.
It monitors the air pressure in each tire and sends a warning signal when it falls below a preset level. Once you have inflated your tires to the proper pressure, the warning light on the dashboard should turn off.
If your tire sensor starts giving you false readings or malfunctions for any reason, it may light up and stay there despite you have added air to the tire to the correct amount. If this is happening to you, well in this article we are going to show you how to remedy the situation and reset the sensor so it functions normally again.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Your Tire Pressure Light
Ignoring your tire pressure light can be a very nasty and dangerous thing to do, especially if it develops into a habit. The tire pressure light, when functioning correctly serves a very specific purpose that is vitally important to the overall safety of you and the wellbeing of your vehicle. The light is meant as a warning that your tire pressure is too low or too low and could result in an accident if not corrected.
The consequences of running a vehicle with low tire pressure can vary, but usually, it leads to decreased fuel efficiency, uneven tread wear, and most importantly, a greater risk of a blow-out while driving. A blow-out can cause your car to lose control, potentially leading to an accident.
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Thankfully, it’s a very easy problem to avoid. All you have to do is check your tire pressure on a regular basis, such as twice a week or before a long journey and ensure that it falls within the manufacturer’s recommended range. You can find this information in the car’s owner’s manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s door.
How to Reset Your Tire Pressure Light
When your tire pressure light comes on, it’s a serious sign that the air in your vehicle’s tires is running low. Only after first correcting the tire pressure in each tire should you attempt to reset the light. When your car’s tires are correctly inflated, the light will turn off on its own. In this situation, where it doesn’t go away after correct inflation of all tires then driving at 50 mph for about 10 minutes should be enough to reset the tire pressure sensor.
If the tire pressure light is still illuminated, there are a few more procedures you may try:
- Turn the car key to “on” without starting the engine. Hold down the TPMS reset button until the tire pressure light blinks three times. Let go of the button and start the car. Within 20 minutes, the light should turn off.
- Disconnect the battery cable from the + post while the engine is off. Switch on the car and press the horn for three seconds to remove any remaining power. Once the battery is reconnected, the tire pressure light should remain off.
- Overinflate all of the tires to 3 psi, then deflate them completely (this includes the spare). Re-inflate the tires to assist with resetting the light.
- Bring your vehicle to a qualified service technician if you are still unable to reset the light.
FAQ
How do I clear the tire pressure light?
There are multiple ways you can try to clear the tire pressure light but the most obvious to try first is by simply checking your tire pressure and making sure they are properly inflated. You can use a tire gauge to check the pressure or even look at the recommended pressure levels on the sidewall of your tires.
If your tires are properly inflated but you’re still getting the warning light, you may need to reset the system. This can be done by following the steps above.
Will a tire pressure sensor reset itself?
Under normal circumstances, the tire pressure light should reset itself after you’ve properly inflated your tires. If it doesn’t, that means there might be a slight problem with the sensor and you’ll need to either try to reset it yourself using the above methods or take it to a mechanic to have it checked out.
Will disconnecting the battery reset TPMS?
Disconnecting the battery is another way you can try to reset the TPMS. This is a more drastic step and it’s not always guaranteed to work, but it’s worth a shot if the other methods haven’t worked. Every vehicle has an onboard computer that may experience signal interference from time to time.
The most effective remedy for these problems is to reset the computer, which may be achieved by removing and reconnecting the battery.
Look for the battery’s negative terminal under your car’s hood. To disconnect the battery, unscrew the negative terminal and honk the vehicle’s horn once again to drain any remaining power. Connect the positive terminal back up, and the TPMS warning light should go off.
Does heat affect the tire pressure sensor?
Yes, the temperature can affect the tire pressure sensor. Extremely high or low temperatures can throw off the readings and trigger the warning light. If you’re having problems with your sensor, try checking your tire pressure in a more moderate environment.
Conclusion
So, if your tire pressure light comes on, don’t panic! There are a few simple things you can do to try and reset it yourself before taking it to a mechanic. Checking your tire pressure and following the steps listed above are usually all you need to get the light turned off.
And if all else fails, remember that disconnecting the battery is always an option. Thanks for reading!
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