Tire pressure low and I can’t seem to fix the problem.

Orange warning light on dashboard signifies low tire pressure. I tried to pump air into the left front, but it went from 19.5 PSI down to 5 PSI. Not sure if the tire just needs air or if there is some other issue that needs to be fixed. What's wrong with my tire pressure and how can I fix it?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The tire pressure system on your car uses tire pressure sensors in each wheel. These sensors are known to fail on almost all cars and not just yours. The sensors could get damaged during a tire replacement. The sensors also have a small battery in that will need to be replaced when it gets weak. My recommendation is to have all your tires filled with the proper pressures and then have the tire pressure sensors and system checked for proper operation. You could have a mechanic check the tire pressures for you and recommend repairs to fix your problem. Some other owners of this same vehicle had to replace the tire sensors to fix the problem.

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Unexpected weather changes will often see this situation in the sensor. Specifically, the sudden change in temperature from the desirable area to the cold area causes the sensor cannot adapt in time. It is the reason the widget sounds an alarm even though the condition in the tire is stable.
Malfunctioning TPMS sensor

These sensors also run on onboard batteries, which have a limited lifespan of about 5 to 7 years (up to 10 years in the best cases). Low battery power and age-related wear and tear can cause the TPMS sensor to malfunction and cause the low tire pressure light but tires are a fine issue.

The simplest way to reset a Nissan`s TPMS light is to drive the vehicle at 50 mph or above for 10 minutes once the tires are back up to pressure. The next time you restart your Nissan, the TPMS sensor should be reset.
Hold the TPMS reset button until the tire pressure light blinks three times, then release it. Start the car and let it run for 20 minutes, which allows the sensors to reset. You`ll find the tire pressure monitor reset button located beneath the steering wheel.
Keep in mind, your TPMS does not replace routine tire pressure maintenance. It`s a tool that can help alert you when pressure is low, but a tire may drop below proper inflation long before the TPMS warning light comes on. The TPMS light comes on when the tire pressure gets too low or too high.
To put it simply, TPMS uses sensors to keep an eye on the air pressure within your tires. When that air pressure drops below or rises above the recommended range, the TPMS will alert you of the problem.
The most common reasons a Nissan Versa tire pressure warning light stays on are a leaking tire, a wheel that no longer holds air, or a faulty tire pressure monitoring system.
Turn on the vehicle and honk the horn for roughly three seconds. This will discharge any residual power still stored in your car and should also reset the TPMS sensor light system when you re-engage the vehicle battery.
There are two main types of TPMS sensors. Direct sensors are small, wireless devices inside each tire, which report the tire`s pressure reading to your dashboard. Indirect sensors work by measuring wheel spin and can only tell if a tire`s pressure is low.
Furthermore, a technician can adjust the inflation pressure, rotate or replace sensors and the TPMS system will reset itself after the vehicle has been driven for a period of time.
It is worth pointing out that not all vehicles have a TPMS reset button, and the system may automatically reset itself once the tyre pressure is adjusted correctly.
The average cost to replace the TPMS Sensor is between $314 and $368.
It`s not safe to drive around with your TPMS light illuminated. Without a tire inspection, there`s no way of knowing how quickly air is leaving your tire, or for how long it has been over or underinflated. The best course of action is to use a tire pressure gauge to check the current inflation level of each tire.
Just like any other area of a vehicle, TPMS sensors can get damaged or disconnected at any point in time; a car accident, a MASSIVE pothole…the list is bigger than you might think.
Tire pressure between 32 to 35 PSI is most suitable for most vehicles. However, one can go as low as 20 PSI (although that is not recommended). Anything below 20 PSI is considered a flat tire.
All you have to do is push your thumb down on the tire to feel the pressure. Underinflated tires will be soft. You will find your tires to be extremely stiff if they are overinflated. The tire pressure is proper if your tire is not too soft or too stiff as mentioned above.
Home How long should a TPMS sensor last? TPMS sensors run on batteries that can last anywhere from 5-10 years. Sensor battery life will depend on how much driving you do over time and the conditions that you drive in.
Turn the Versa to ACC or accessories mode. Exit the vehicle and look inside the door jamb to get the proper PSI (pounds per square inch) tire pressure rating. Unscrew the valve stem. onto the valve stem to get an accurate PSI rating.
If your tires are under- or over-inflated, the TPMS activates a warning light on your dashboard. When the light is steady, it means you need to have your tire pressure checked. When the light is flashing, it means you need to have your TPMS checked.
After starting a vehicle, a TPMS icon will turn on for a few seconds. However, if the light stays on, it indicates that one or more of the tires on the vehicle are at least 25% below the recommended pressure. If the light flashes for one to two minutes, it indicates there is a malfunction in the TPMS system.
SnapOn TPMS4: go to “Special Functions” and select “REDI-Sensor™ Unlock”. trigger button. Once you`ve completed these steps, the sensor will have reverted back to its original state and be ready for relearning.
Direct TPMS sensors use an automatic readjusting system, which allows the vehicle to reset the sensor after the tires are changed. This system makes it easier, as everything is automated and the TPMS sensor does not need to be reset manually.
“If you take away the sensors and don`t replace them, it will be interpreted as a lost signal and the tire pressure warning light will stay on.” His advice would be the same for any vehicle with a direct system, but not all vehicles use a direct TPMS.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Tire pressure low and I can’t seem to fix the problem.
ANSWER : The tire pressure system on your car uses tire pressure sensors in each wheel. These sensors are known to fail on almost all cars and not just yours. The sensors could get damaged during a tire replacement. The sensors also have a small battery in that will need to be replaced when it gets weak. My recommendation is to have all your tires filled with the proper pressures and then have the tire pressure sensors and system checked for proper operation. You could have a mechanic check the tire pressures for you and recommend repairs to fix your problem. Some other owners of this same vehicle had to replace the tire sensors to fix the problem.

My car has low oil pressure. I’ve already changed the oil pressure sensor 3 times.
ANSWER : If you have replaced the sensor three times and it did not fix the problem, then you may have problems with the oil pressure being low at idle due to wear in the engine bearings. The reason it would be fine sometimes and not others may be due to engine load and temperature changes. Have the oil pressure tested at the sensor port to see if it is low and needs engine repairs.

I recommend having a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, come to your location to perform an inspection to determine why the Oil Pressure Light is on.

Hi! I had a flat tire this morning and o am driving on my spare, the "low tire pressure sensor fault" light came on.
ANSWER : If you have used a tire pressure gauge to confirm that the pressure in each tire is at 32 PSI cold, you need not worry. If the spare tire is of the space saving type and thus has a higher required inflation pressure (often as much as 60 PSI; read tire sidewall), simply use a tire pressure gauge to be sure it is set to the higher pressure as printed on the tire sidewall. With regard to the sensor, it may be that pressure is too low in the spare or the sensor in the spare in missing or broken. If you believe the TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) is malfunctioning, please request a warning light diagnostic – TPMS and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

Malfunction of the tire pressure monitoring system
ANSWER : That is a rather complex tire pressure monitoring system used by Audi. Using multiple sensors, antennae, and control module, this may require the Audi manufacturer’s scan tool to communicate with in order to diagnose. A tire service center (that is very well trained and well-tooled) may be better equipped to help you in this scenario. Audi issued a technical service bulletin (TSB # 44-08-17) that mentions of an update to the TPMS module, so you may also want to check in with your dealer to see if A8 Quattro is covered.

Tire pressure gauge didn’t work at gas station
ANSWER : Great job on maintaining proper air pressure in your tires! Tire pressure is critical, and if left under or over inflated, you risk premature tread wear or a possible blow out.
There is a strong chance that the gas station tire gauge is inaccurate. The machines are subject to all weather conditions and abuse from people that use it.
Tire pressure gauges can be found at most retailers, I bought mine from O’reilly Auto Parts. There are several kinds of tire pressure gauges out out there (digital, analog, glow in the dark, etc.). A simple gauge is all you need to keep the tire pressure where it needs to be.

lost all oil pressure, replaced the oil pump, low oil sensor, oil pressure sensor, oil pan gasket,
ANSWER : The fuel pump will not stay on if you loose oil pressure. This is why it is shutting off. The loss of oil pressure may be from bad crankshaft bearings or camshaft bearings. The engine oil pan should be removed and the oil pump needs to be checked to ensure that you put in the pick up tube seal to the pump and connected the pump to the block. Then remove at least one main bearing cap and inspect the bearings for excessive wear and crankshaft damage. If you need some help with this, consider YourMechanic, as a certified technician can help diagnose the issue with your oil pressure firsthand and help you fix it accordingly.

My car’s tire pressure monitoring system lights come on when the tire pressure is normal
ANSWER : Your car is equipped with wheel speed sensors on each of the four wheels which monitor wheel speed while relaying this information to the ABS and traction control system (ESC) which are controlled by the car’s ECU. When the ECU senses an abnormal speed given specific conditions, it engages the ABS or traction control as needed to control the vehicle. Occasionally, these sensors can fail or only work intermittently, sending inaccurate signals to the ECU. When this happens, you may experience the symptoms you have described. The ABS or traction control system may be inadvertently activated by these false or inaccurate signals.

Your TPMS system works the same way in that there are sensors that monitor the tire pressure relaying this to the car’s computer. These sensors are known to go bad occasionally. Keep in mind this can also fluctuate easily with changes in air temperature, as this changes the density of the air which will affect the way these sensors read tire pressure. With regard to your heater turning off and on, this may be related to the blower motor relay which is what directs power to the heater blower motor. When this is faulty, this may cause the blower fan to work intermittently or sometimes not at all. I would suggest having a professional, such as one from YourMechanic, diagnose your ABS and traction control system to determine the cause of this.

Pressure monitoring system comes on eventhough air pressure in tires is normal
ANSWER : There are many potential causes for this. If the light stays on continuously, the tire pressure may not be set correctly or the system may need to be reset.

Changes in ambient temperature can also affect TPMS operation, since tire pressure drops in cold weather.

If both the low tire pressure and TPMS indicators are illuminated, then the Engine Control Module (ECM), or Electrical Control Unit (ECU), has detected a problem with the system. In this case, the diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) should be retrieved to start the diagnostic process.

Anything from a failed sensor to a problem with the control module could cause both lights to be illuminated. I suggest you get a second opinion from someone other than the dealership. YourMechanic is an excellent option to get your trouble codes diagnosed, since we make house calls.