Welcome to Tacoma World!
You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.
As a registered member, you’ll be able to:- Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
- Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
- Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
- Access all special features of the site
Quick Links:What tires are great?Hutchinson Rock Monster DOT legal REAL beadlock wheels and 37' tiresOpinion on wheels?Looking for XSP wheelsWhat should I do with my rimsNeed New Tires... Which are best?
If so they will need to be programmed to the system, there is no getting around it, and if you were to switch back to sensor set #1 they would also need to be programmed. The TPMS system is configured to only recognize 4 transmitter RFID's at a time. I went ahead and ordered a EL-50448 relearn tool after reading that is the only way to get the tpms reset. Wheels/tires installed and attempt to relearn the TPMS sensors after entering relearn mode without any luck. The wheels are 20x10 and the tires are 305/50r20. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment.
Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by pcalvin, Nov 4, 2011.
Products Discussed in
- AxleAddict»
- Auto Repair»
The low tire pressure light, also know as the TPMS system, on your car should turn off when you have filled your tires to the proper pressure, or 'PSI.'
Sometimes, it just doesn't work though. The light doesn't always reset, sticking you with an annoying amber light, or as with newer vehicles, a constant message on your display that your tire pressure is low.
If you have ensured that the tire pressures in all of your tires are fine, including your spare tire (yes they have sensors too), and the warning light refuses to turn off, here are a few methods you can try to reset it.
4 Ways to Turn off the Low Tire Pressure ('TPMS') Light
Tools Required |
---|
None |
None |
Air pump |
Wrench |
1. Drive at 50 mph for 10 Miles
Probably the easiest method is to drive about 10 miles at 50 mph. Use the cruise control to keep the speed constant. Some vehicles reset the sensors at higher speeds than others. Shut off the car. The next time you start it, the light should go off.
2. Use Your Vehicle's TPMS Reset Button
Each tire has a sensor. Sometimes the sensor system simply needs resetting. Check your owner's manual for the location of the TPMS (or Tire Pressure Monitoring System) reset button.
Put the key in the ignition and turn it to the 'on' position, but do not start the car. Press and hold down the reset button (sometimes located under the steering wheel) until the low-pressure light blinks three times. Release the button. Start the vehicle and let it run for 20 minutes to let its computer re-calibrate each sensor. Turn off the ignition.
3. Deflate and Reinflate the Tires
Some vehicles, like the Toyota Prius for example, feature a leeway of three pounds or so for tire pressure. If the reset button doesn't work, try inflating each tire to its proper PSI plus three, then deflate all the tires to near zero.
Re-inflate all the tires to the appropriate tire pressure noted on the sidewall. Don't forget the spare tire. It'II usually has a sensor attached also. Drive a few miles at 15 mph to reset the sensors.
4. Disconnect and Reconnect the Car's Battery
Your car has an on-board computer which checks all the sensors in the vehicle (such as the TPMS sensor) and decides what to do with that information. Just like your computer at home, sometimes the computer can have an unexplained glitch in the system. A quick and easy way to reset your computer is to disconnect and reconnect your car's battery.
First, open your vehicle's hood. Find the battery and disconnect the negative battery cable. You will need a wrench to do this. Once the battery is disconnected, turn your vehicle on and press the horn for approximately three seconds. This will drain any remaining energy stored in the vehicle's electrical system. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
If the Above Methods Do Not Fix the Problem
Sometimes the tires are fine, but the sensor became damaged, and it may be necessary to take it to the dealer or repair shop to have the sensor replaced.
A sensor can be damaged during:
- Normal tire service
- Tire replacement
- Brake system work
- Tire rotation
- A CV boot/axle replacement
- An oil change
- A filter change
Additionally, the air pressure gauge may be mis-calibrated, or the battery that powers the sensor may have died. In these cases, the sensor needs recalibration or replacement. Take it to the dealership or a dealer recommended repair shop where they will likely fix it in minutes with a scan tool.
Other Concerns
Sometimes, the light will come back on and that indicates a larger problem. Any of the following may be true:
- One of the tires may have a slow leak.
- The system may have an internal fault that prevents it from properly functioning.
- The wheel sensor requires replacing (in an Indirect Tire Pressure Management System).
In an Indirect system, if the wheel sensor has gone bad, the ABS Warning Light also illuminates.
In each case, it means the vehicle needs to go to a certified mechanic. The mechanic can detect and patch the leak or replace the tire. They will also be able to repair or replace the sensor system, if needed. Replacing the system can cost about $1,000.
Maintenance Tips
Once the problem is fixed, you probably don't want to have to go through a future malfunction. Following a few simple maintenance tips can keep your TPMS system running well.
First, if a tire requires a replacement valve-stem core, choose a stainless steel core. The brass cores corrode. The stainless steel core costs about $2 but a corrosion-damaged sensor can cost you about $100. It's worth investing in the stainless core.
Second, always keep the cap screwed onto the valve stem. This protects the sensor from water, mud and road salt damage.
Third, avoid using aerosol flat-fixer, if possible. It may say 'Sensor Safe,' but it can cause problems because the fixer compound can enter the sensor's hole that allows it to measure pressure. A plugged sensor hole means it can't take readings.
A stuck low tire pressure light can be annoying and distracting to the driver. Its malfunction also puts the driver and passengers at risk since it no longer accurately transmit tire inflation information. The quicker you fix it, the quicker you'll be driving safely again.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
© 2017 Kate Daily
- Very informative, well written article!Thank you very much!Bud
- I had my Toyota Camry in for an oil change last week and when I drove away i noticed the (!) light was on. Mind you it was an oil change & tire rotation. They also forgot to put the tire caps back on. Very sloppy! I took the car back today and the service advisor said her technicians couldn’t have broken it. She then told me it would be $250 to fix.
- Where is the Tpms reset button on a 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 or better yet how do I shut it off in the winter. Live in Canada and the dam thing stays on all winter even though the tires are at the proper inflation psi
- The TPMS have internal non-replaceable batteries that usually last 5 years. I encourage those with TPMS older than 5 years to buy new ones when they get new tires.
- my light keeps coming on ...i filled the tires to full and it went off...i went out and got in my car and the light came back on this time for the left rearon/. whats going on...
- Awesome article, very comprehensive. I like how you talked about how to diagnose other causes of a faulty TPMS but I have never heard of an oil change fixing the issue. Maybe just having it in the shop and doing a hard reset fixed the issue.Thanks for sharing!