Have you ever wondered what that peculiar light on your dashboard means? The light refers to the car’s TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), alerting you to potential issues with your tire pressure. To help customers coming to your auto shop maintain optimal tire health and ensure their safety on the road, you need to understand how to diagnose and reset a car’s TPMS. To help you with this, we’re here to discuss how to reset the tire sensor.
What is a TPMS Tool and Does Your Auto Shop Need It?
TPMS tools are devices designed to diagnose and reset tire pressure monitoring systems. These tools help auto shops and mechanics identify TPMS issues and perform necessary adjustments accurately. The prevalence of TPMS is increasing in modern vehicles, so having a reliable TPMS tool is indispensable for any auto shop. It will help your auto shop provide comprehensive maintenance services to its customers.
Direct vs. Indirect TPMS Systems
There are two primary types of TPMS systems: direct and indirect.
Direct TPMS uses pressure sensors inside each tire to monitor air pressure levels.
Indirect TPMS relies on wheel speed sensors to detect changes in tire rotation caused by underinflation.
Both systems serve the same purpose of alerting drivers to low tire pressure. But, they operate on different principles and may require distinct diagnostic procedures.
Before getting into the steps to reset your TPMS, let’s discuss the dashboard light and what it indicates.
Identify Dashboard Lights
Pay attention to the TPMS warning light on your dashboard. This indicator typically resembles an exclamation point inside a tire. It signals low tire pressure. Ignoring this warning could decrease fuel efficiency, tire wear, and safety hazards.
However, the TPMS light can turn on for various reasons. These indicate potential issues with tire pressure or the TPMS system itself.
Here are some common situations where the TPMS light might illuminate:
Faulty Sensor
If a TPMS sensor malfunctions or fails, it may send incorrect readings to the vehicle’s onboard computer, leading to a false TPMS warning light. This situation requires diagnostic testing to identify and replace the faulty sensor.
Battery Failure
TPMS sensors have batteries that power their operation. Over time, these batteries may wear out, causing the sensor to malfunction and trigger the TPMS light. Battery failure typically requires sensor replacement to resolve the issue.
System Calibration
After rotating or replacing tires, the TPMS system needs recalibration. This ensures accurate tire pressure readings. If you don’t recalibrate, the TPMS light might stay on due to discrepancies in sensor readings.
Steps to Reset Your TPMS
Getting into the real deal. Resetting your TPMS may seem daunting at first, but with the right knowledge and tools, it can be straightforward.
Resetting a car TPMS involves relearning the sensor IDs. This is mostly after tire rotation, replacement, or pressure adjustments.
Here are the general steps to reset a TPMS system
Turn the ignition key to the “on” position without starting the engine. This activates the vehicle’s electrical systems, including the TPMS.
Some vehicles have a dedicated TPMS reset button located near the steering column, inside the glove compartment, or on the instrument panel.
However, some vehicles don’t have a physical reset button. In that case, you can access the TPMS reset function in the vehicle’s infotainment system. Or sometimes even in the instrument cluster menu.
You can also check the owner’s manual for specific instructions. This will tell you exactly how to access the TPMS reset option.
Press and hold the TPMS reset button for a few seconds until the TPMS indicator light flashes. This indicates that the TPMS system is now in relearn mode.
If accessing the reset function through the vehicle’s menu, follow the on-screen prompts to start the TPMS relearn procedure.
You can start with the driver’s side front tire. To activate the sensor, hold a TPMS tool near the valve stem. You can also follow the manufacturer’s specific activation procedure.
After activating the sensor, move to the passenger’s side front tire and repeat the activation process.
Continue activating the sensors in the specified sequence. This is usually clockwise or counterclockwise for each tire. Again, following the vehicle’s relearn procedure.
After all sensors are active and their IDs are recorded by the vehicle’s TPMS module, the TPMS indicator light will stop flashing and remain solid for a few seconds before turning off.
Verify that the TPMS light has turned off, indicating a successful reset of the TPMS system. If the TPMS light continues to light up after the reset procedure, double-check the tire pressure in all tires. Also, check the sensors function correctly. If issues persist, consult a qualified technician for further diagnosis and troubleshooting.
The specific steps and procedures for resetting a TPMS system may vary. It depends on the vehicle’s make and model. Refer to the vehicle’s owner’s manual or consult a professional technician. This will give you accurate guidance tailored to your vehicle’s requirements.
There are three relearn procedures. Let’s get into each of those:
a. Auto Relearn Procedure
Some vehicles feature an auto-relearn function. This automatically resets the TPMS after adjusting tire pressure. Simply drive the vehicle for a specified distance at a set speed. This starts the relearning process.
b. Stationary Relearn Procedure
A stationary relearn procedure may be necessary for vehicles without an auto relearn function. This involves using a TPMS tool to activate the sensors manually while the vehicle is parked.
c. OBDII Relearn Procedure
Alternatively, certain vehicles may require an OBDII relearn procedure. Connect a TPMS tool to the vehicle’s onboard diagnostics port to reset the system electronically.
Diagnosing and resetting a car’s TPMS is necessary to maintain optimal tire health and ensure your customers’ safety on the road. Your auto shop technicians should be well-versed in the different types of TPMS systems.
They must also follow the proper reset procedures and use the right tools. You can help your auto shop customers inflate their tires properly and enjoy a smoother, safer driving experience. Take proactive steps to reset their TPMS. Keep their vehicle running smoothly, mile after mile.
