The tire pressure monitoring system is an innovative safety technology. Designed to warn motorists when they have underinflated or overinflated tires, this car feature has undoubtedly made roads safer and saved many lives.

Detecting tire pressure levels accurately and relaying the information instantaneously are crucial to its function. When the device fails to perform any of these tasks, it is unable to serve its purpose.

The thing is that, while they are built to the highest standards, tire pressure monitoring systems aren’t immune to malfunctions. In these cases, the TPMS warning light turns on even when none of the tires is underinflated or overinflated.

As a responsible car owner, you should know what these problems are and how to resolve them. Read on to find out the usual reasons behind a malfunctioning TPMS.

Common TPMS Issues and Their Solutions

If your tires are properly inflated, but your TPMS warning light is on, the problem may be due to:

Improper or Incomplete TPMS Relearn Process

Each time that your tires are rotated or replaced, the TPMS relearn process should be done. Its purpose is to pair the new sensor IDs with the car’s TPMS, enabling them to communicate.

Remember, your car’s ECU relies on the sensors for information about your tires’ pressure level. If the new sensor IDs are not uploaded to the vehicle, the TPMS won’t get accurate information. For example, the system may still be getting a signal from the sensor on the flat tire you’ve replaced. As a result, you would be getting a false flat tire alert.

If this is what’s causing your TPMS to malfunction, doing the relearn will resolve the issue. The TPMS relearn is a complicated process, but it’s something you shouldn’t worry about as there are technicians who can do the task. All you have to do is to take your car to your dealership.

Failing or Dead TPMS Sensor Battery

Your TPMS sensors are battery-operated. These batteries are no different from those used in other devices in that they eventually run out of power. When your battery is about to run out or already empty, you can expect your TPMS to give false alerts.

To resolve this problem, you have to replace the battery or the sensor. It should be noted that the batteries of most sensors are built-in. Hence, you’d have to replace the sensor and not just the battery.

The batteries of TPMS sensors typically have a service life of 5 to 10 years. It is best to keep track of how long you’ve had your sensors to avoid inconvenience. This way, you can replace them before their batteries start failing.

Damaged TPMS Sensor

The sensors are durable and can withstand harsh conditions such as rough roads and extreme temperatures. While they are hard-wearing, they are not immune to damages. The sensor’s body or valve stem can get snagged or become corroded.

Clearly, your TPMS won’t function properly if you have a sensor that is inoperative or damaged. So, the only way to solve this problem is to replace the problematic sensor.

How to Avoid Common TPMS Issues

Dealing with these issues can be inconvenient, especially when they keep recurring, which is why some opt to disable their TPMS. They do this using a device called TPMS bypass emulator. It allows them to “turn off” their tire pressure monitoring system without their TPMS warning light turning on.

What’s great about this device is that it doesn’t require car owners to manipulate the wirings in their vehicle or alter the ECU. Moreover, you can disable it anytime and use your TPMS again.

You can consider this option if you no longer want to get an alert that you have a flat tire, even if you don’t. Be forewarned, though, that you’ll have to be diligent about checking the pressure level in your tires when you disable your TPMS.

Meanwhile, if you want to keep using your TPMS but wish to minimise issues with it, all you have to do is ensure that your car is well-maintained. This is the best way to prevent issues with your TPMS or detect the problems before they become an inconvenience.

Also, make sure that you take your car to professionals. With experts changing or rotating your tires, you can ensure that critical steps such as TPMS programming or relearning are not missed.

Are you tired of dealing with issues involving your TPMS? We offer high-quality TPMS bypass emulators. Visit our website and find the one that’s compatible with your car’s make and model.