TPMS stands for “Tire Pressure Monitoring System” and it appears on your dashboard with a warning light whenever your car tires are irregularly inflated. Show
The TPMS light could indicate that your TPMS is not properly recalibrated or that your tire pressure is too low. However, a lot of drivers complain that the TPMS warning light keeps blinking even after they inflated their tires to the proper tire pressure. In this article, you will learn how to reset the TPMS light in several vehicles on the market. Direct and Indirect TPMSBefore we move on to resetting the TPMS, it is important to understand your car’s type of monitoring system. There are 2 main types of TPMS: Direct and Indirect. The direct TPMS has sensors located on the tire’s pressure valve or the rim. These sensors collect information and send it to the car’s on-board computer. However, the direct TPMS is most likely to malfunction due to bad weather conditions. It is usually found in cars in the United States. The indirect TPMS has sensors placed on the car’s ABS brakes and/or the speed sensors on each wheel. These sensors measure the wheel rotation speed and identify changes as underinflated tires rotate much faster compared to regularly filled tires. This system is most often found in cars in Europe. Resetting the TPMS differs from car to car, but some general techniques are easy to execute and help successfully recalibrating the monitoring system. Follow these steps to reset the TPMS light: Total Time: 5 minutes
Damaged SensorsIf the above-mentioned techniques do not work, it may mean that the sensors may have been damaged and will have to be replaced. The sensors can get damaged due to various reasons; for example, tire replacement, brake repairing, oil change, filter change, or even during normal tire service. The sensors do also have batteries inside of them, which will drail out after a couple of years. You can also try out these specific methods depending on your car make and model. Where is the TPMS Reset Button Located?The TPMS reset button is often located under the steering wheel or integrated with the car’s information display system. This heavily differs depending on which car model you have though. Down below, you will find some more vehicle-specific information about where the button is located. TPMS Reset Honda Vehicles Introduced After 2016If you own a 2016 or later Honda car with a touchscreen display, follow these steps to easily re-calibrate the TPMS.
For models without a touch display, use buttons on the steering wheel to select ‘TPMS Calibration’ and chose the ‘Calibrate’ option. TPMS Reset Honda VehiclesFor old Honda models without touch display, use steering wheel buttons and calibrate through these steps:
For models without any display screen, a TPMS reset button can be found on the steering wheel’s left. Press the button for a couple of seconds, then release it to re-calibrate the system. TPMS Reset Chevrolet ModelsResetting TPMS on Chevrolet models can be performed at home as well, but it requires a J-46079 Tire Pressure Monitor Tester, which can be bought from eBay.
TPMS Reset Volkswagen ModelsResetting TPMS on Volkswagen differs from model to model. The reset button can be found inside the glove box or near the gear shift for old models. Once the button is found, press it for a couple of seconds until a beep is heard, then release. For newer models, the TPMS can be re-calibrated easily through the infotainment system. TPMS Reset Mini ModelsThe TPMS on Mini models can be re-calibrated easily through the button as well. For old models (2002 to 2006), the reset button can be found in the emergency brake handle’s front cabin. Turn on the ignition but don’t start the car and press the reset button until the yellow indicator on the dashboard starts blinking. The TPS will be automatically calibrated on your next drive. On the newer models (2007 and onwards), start the car and navigate to “Set/Info” on the instrument cluster. Scroll down until the tire monitor symbol is displayed, click on reset, and re-calibrate the TPMS system. TPMS Reset Toyota ModelsToyota cars do normally have a reset button under the steering wheel. The reset button can be hard to find, and you can find it in the lowest area in front of your pedals. Just press the reset button for 5 seconds while the ignition is on, and the TPMS should be reset.
Post-Reset TipsOnce the TPMS system resets and the warning light goes away, you can follow a few maintenance tips to avoid the problem in the future.
FAQs: TPMS ResetCan I Remove the TPMS Function instead?It is possible but firstly, remember that getting rid of the TPMS is not the right solution as according to the law proposed by “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)”, all cars newer than 2008 are supposed to be equipped with a TPMS. This law was introduced to minimize the number of road accidents due to overinflated or underinflated tires. When should I reset my TPMS?The TPMS, or tire pressure monitoring system, should be reset when you change your tires. This is because most TPMS systems calculate your current tire pressure based on the size and weight of your original tires. When you switch to a different set of tires, the TPMS will not give an accurate reading. Do you have to reprogram TPMS sensors when changing tires?It depends on the car model, in some cars you need to reprogram TPMS sensors when changing tires because the pressure information the sensors transmit will be incorrect if they are not calibrated to the new tires. In other car models, simply resetting the TPMS with the reset button may be sufficient. Do TPMS sensors reset themselves?Some TPMS sensors do reset themselves, but many do not. It depends on the make and model of the sensor. Some sensors have a “learn mode” that needs to be activated before the sensor will start transmitting data again. Others will continue to transmit data even if they are not reset. If you’re not sure how to reset your TPMS sensor, consult the owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer for assistance. Can I drive with the TPMS light on?While you can drive with a TPMS light on, it is not recommended as you will lose the ability to monitor tire pressure without doing so manually. It’s important to take care of this as soon as possible, as driving with an underinflated tire can lead to decreased fuel economy and increased wear and tear. If the TPMS light comes on while you’re driving, pull over at the next safe opportunity and check your tires’ air pressure levels. You can typically find the recommended levels in your car’s owner’s manual. Was this article helpful? YesNo Where is the TPMS sensor button?The TPMS reset button is usually located beneath the steering wheel. If you are unable to find it, refer to your vehicle's owner's manual. Inflate all tires to 3 PSI over their recommended amount, then deflate them completely. Be sure to include the spare tire, as it may have a sensor as well.
Can I reset my TPMS myself?Hold the TPMS reset button until the tire pressure light blinks three times, then release it. Start the car and let it run for 20 minutes, which allows the sensors to reset. You'll find the tire pressure monitor reset button located beneath the steering wheel.
How do you manually reset TPMS?Turn the car key to "on" but don't start the vehicle. Press and hold the TPMS reset button until the tire pressure light blinks three times. Release the button and start the car. The light should go off within 20 minutes.
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