Is your TPMS warning light on? Sometimes, to resolve this issue, you need to do a TPMS sensor reset. We’ve put together a guide to help you determine when resetting the TPMS transponders on your vehicle is needed or when using a TPMS bypass emulator is the better option.

The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is an important safety feature of your car. It became mandatory in 2014 for all new vehicles sold in Europe to have a TPMS to lessen accidents caused by tire blowouts or other issues related to tires with the incorrect pressure level.

Basically, the TPMS informs you when one or more of your tires are underinflated or overinflated. Having tire/s that do not meet the recommended pressure level can cause multiple problems.

Some are minor issues like a reduction in fuel economy and tire life span due to faster wear and tear. But they can also cause major problems which can cause accidents on the road. These include difficulties in handling the vehicle or having tire blowouts, often due to severe tire underinflation or damage.

TPMS Sensor Reset: Why Does the TPMS Warning Light Turn On?

As mentioned above, the TPMS is designed to inform you when one or more tires do not have the correct tire pressure. When you see the TPMS warning light up on your dashboard, it means you have an underinflated or overinflated tire.

In most cases, it is usually due to an underinflated tire which can be caused by a puncture or leak. It is also possible that your tire’s pressure level dropped because it has not been inflated for weeks. This is a normal occurrence with reports showing that tires lose 1 to 3 psi every 4 weeks.

Another cause of tire pressure dropping can be a change in temperature. When it gets colder, the air takes up less space as it becomes denser. This results in a lower tire pressure that may trigger the TPMS warning light.

TPMS Sensor Reset: How to Turn Off Warning Light

To turn off the TPMS warning light, none of your tires should be overinflated or underinflated. So, to resolve this issue, find out if all your tires have the correct tire pressure level.

If you have a tire gauge, check the individual tire pressure to ensure they are all correctly inflated. If you don’t have a tire gauge, drive to the nearest gas station that has air pumps with built-in tire gauges.

Add or remove air on your tire depending on the issue you’ve uncovered. Once all your tires are properly inflated, the warning light will automatically turn off.

When Is It Necessary to Do a TPMS Sensor Reset?

If you did all these steps but the warning light is still on, then it may be because of a damaged TPMS sensor. It is also possible that you recently had a tire replacement or rotation which may have caused the TPMS sensors to malfunction. If the TPMS sensors are malfunctioning, you may need to do a TPMS sensor reset.

A TPMS sensor reset initiates a re-pairing of your TPMS as it relearns the unique IDs of your tires’ transponders. You should do this whenever you replace your tires and even when you switch one of your tires with your spare.

Resetting the sensors is essential in ensuring that your TPMS is monitoring the correct set of tires as your TPMS might still be tracking the pressure of the replaced tire instead of the recently installed one.

To initiate a TPMS sensor reset, you need a TPMS relearn tool. Admittedly, using this tool can be tricky. Furthermore, the reset process varies depending on the make and model of the car. So, it is best to ask your mechanic to do the task to ensure that proper steps are taken.

While having a TPMS is greatly helpful for your safety, it can be a major inconvenience when you experience the device malfunctions. Unfortunately, it is not unusual for the TPMS warning light to turn on even when the tires’ pressure level is correct. Hence, some are opting to disable the device using a TPMS bypass emulator.

Bypassing the TPMS instantly eliminates all worries involving a malfunctioning TPMS warning light. This provides you with much-needed peace of mind that helps you focus while driving your vehicle. It also removes the need to reset the TPMS whenever tires are changed or the sensors are damaged.

It should be noted, however, that you have to be extra diligent in monitoring your tire pressure when you disable your TPMS. This is to ensure that you avoid road accidents involving underinflated or overinflated tires.

No longer want to repeatedly do a TPMS sensor reset? Use our top-rated TPMS bypass emulator! To learn more about our products, call us today on UK: +44(0) 77 837 25020 or IRL: +353(0)83 847 8878.