TPMS light on but your tires look fine? Here’s why
You’re cruising down the road, and that awful dashboard icon lights up: the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) warning. So you pull over, check your tires, and there’s nothing visibly wrong with any of them. So, what’s going on? This is a familiar and vexing problem. Your TPMS light is active, but your tire pressure looks fine.
Your ride with TPMS is a safety feature that provides you with proper warning when there is low tire pressure or on a bumpy road, which could cause premature wear. It’s not something you can ignore, even if your tires look fine. This guide will explain the more subtle reasons you may have for a TPMS light that’s turned on and what you should do in response.
Table of Contents
Why Your TPMS Light Stays On
A straightforward puncture is the most likely culprit, but several other factors can cause your TPMS light to illuminate. Here are some of them.
1. Temperature Fluctuations
Ever notice your TPMS light is on after a sudden cold snap? That’s because the air contracts in the cold, bringing your tire pressure down. For every 10°F decrease in temperature, a 1 PSI (pound per square inch) drop can be expected from your tires.
After you begin driving and your tires warm up, the pressure may naturally return to normal, and the light will turn off. If not, you may need to add a little more air.
2. Slow Air Leaks
Slow leaks can be difficult to detect. It could be the result of a nail-sized puncture in a tire or a malfunctioning valve stem. It loses air so slowly that it doesn’t appear flat, yet after a day or two, the pressure has dropped below the TPMS threshold. If you’re constantly refilling the same tire with air, your tire is probably leaking slowly and should be professionally repaired.
3. A Faulty TPMS Sensor
Every tire (and, on some, the spare) contains a small battery-powered sensor. These sensors are estimated to last around 5-10 years. If a sensor’s battery runs out or the sensor is damaged, possibly from encountering a pothole or curb, it may send an incorrect signal or no signal at all, causing the warning light to turn on.
4. Tire Rotation and Programming Issues
Is your TPMS light blinking a few days after you rotated the tires? In some cases, the computer in your car may need to be reprogrammed to acknowledge the new locations of the sensors.
If the system is not reset properly, it may indicate a low tire pressure when it actually fine. It can be confusing, this mix-up, but for a professional, it’s just a matter of solving the problem.
5. An Inaccurate Tire Pressure Gauge
Your TPMS may be right, and your personal gauge could be wrong; it’s a possibility. Old or cheap tire pressure gauges may not remain accurate. And to be sure, test with a new or high-quality gauge, or drop by a tire shop to let them check the air pressure with their carefully calibrated tools.
6. Communication Glitches
The TPMS sensors communicate wirelessly with the main computer in your car. Sometimes your car’s receiver can be interfered with by other electronic devices or even just a glitch in your vehicle’s software. This is less typical, but it will generate a false warning.
Ironically, the fact that combining a timing advance processor with an alt fuel system can be beneficial for efficiency and emissions is beside the point; none of us want to do anything electronically (except in extreme scenarios such as replacing an actuator entirely) because interfering too much with modules like TPMS may get you in hot water.
How to Handle a Persistent TPMS Light
If you’ve checked your tire pressure and the light is still on, consider the following steps.
Reset the TPMS System
Many cars have a TPMS reset button located on the dashboard or in the glove box area. You can usually reset it by inserting the key, but don’t select “Start Engine” and hold down the switch until the TPMS light flashes a few times.
The process varies for each vehicle, so refer to your owner’s manual for instructions specific to your car. Some just driving at a steady speed for 10-15 minutes also helps reset the system.
Potential Fixes and Costs
Here’s a quick look at common issues and what you might expect to pay to fix them.
| Issue | Possible Solution | Average Cost |
| Sensor Malfunction | Replace faulty sensor | $50 – $200 |
| Temperature Variance | Adjust tire pressure according to ambient temp | Free |
| Programming Error | Recalibrate TPMS system | $30 – $100 |
| Slow Leak | Repair or replace tire | $20 (repair) – $200 (replace) |
| Faulty Gauge | Use a calibrated tire pressure gauge | $10 – $30 |
| Communication Issues | Diagnose and repair the vehicle’s computer system | $80 – $200+ |
| Tire Rotation Mix-Up | Reset TPMS or manually adjust sensor positions | $0 – $50 |
Time to Call the Professionals?
If you followed these steps and the TPMS light refuses to turn off, it’s time to bring in a professional. A steady light might indicate a bad sensor, a slow leak, or a communication problem that calls for another kind of diagnostic tool to pinpoint and resolve. It’s risky to not pay attention because when a real emergency occurs, you will receive no warning.
At Rice Tire, we can inspect your TPMS without and replace the sensor if it’s faulty. We have the right equipment and experience to check sensors, repair leaks, and reset your system for safe operation on the road. If some unexplained warning light appears on your dash, don’t let it dampen your day, bring it to us and drive away with confidence.
INTERESTING POSTS
- The End of Passwords? Summer 2025 Digest on Cybersecurity Reset
- Water Heater Installation: Ensuring Safety, Efficiency, and Long-Lasting Home Comfort
- Google Fined for YouTube Child Privacy Violation
- How To Recognize And Avoid A Fake Virus And Malware Warning
- Work VPN Slow At Home? EXPERT Fixes That Actually Work!
- How PCS Software Is Changing the Freight and Logistics Game
About the Author:
Chandra Palan is an Indian-born content writer, currently based in Australia with her husband and two kids. She is a passionate writer and has been writing for the past decade, covering topics ranging from technology, cybersecurity, data privacy and more. She currently works as a content writer for SecureBlitz.com, covering the latest cyber threats and trends. With her in-depth knowledge of the industry, she strives to deliver accurate and helpful advice to her readers.
