What does the tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) Warning Light mean?
What does the tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) Warning Light mean?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) Warning Light is located on the instrument panel. The TPMS warning light can illuminate for two reasons:
1. There is an issue with the TPMS that needs to be resolved.
2. A spare tire is currently being used.
Tip
Like all warning lights, the TPMS warning light briefly illuminates when the car is turned on. The light is only a problem if it stays lit when the engine is on.
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The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) in your Honda is designed to alert you when one or more of your tires falls below the recommended tire pressure.
TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System. The tire pressure sensors built into your vehicle`s tires tracks their air pressure. If one of your vehicle`s tires isn`t at the suggested pressure, the sensor goes off and the light on your dash alerts you to add air to your used Honda Accord or other models.
Hold the TPMS reset button until the tire pressure light blinks three times, then release it. Start the car and wait 20 minutes for the sensor to refresh. The tire pressure monitor reset button is typically located under the steering wheel. Refer to your vehicle`s owner`s manual if you`re unable to locate it.
The purpose of the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) is to alert you when tire pressure is too low and could create unsafe driving conditions. If the light is illuminated, it means your tires could be underinflated, which can lead to undue tire wear and possible tire failure.
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.
If the tire pressure warning light on your dashboard remains on after a long while, it`s an indication that one or more of the tires is leaking air. If the TPMS warning light flashes on for 1 second, then off for 3 seconds repeatedly, this is an indication that the vehicle has issues with one or more of the sensors.
If your Honda is equipped with a TPMS button, you`ll find it to the left of the steering wheel. Press and hold the button until the warning light blinks twice.
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.
Driving Through A TPMS Warning Light
The light indicates that the pressure is below the safe levels. Ignoring the warning and driving with low-pressure tires causes them to flex more. It generates excess heat that overheats the tire components and causes them to wear and tear.
Turn the car key to “on” but don`t start the vehicle. Press and hold the TPMS reset button until the tire pressure light blinks three times. Release the button and start the car. The light should go off within 20 minutes.
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.
Snap-in TPMS sensors that have a rubber stem are as easy to replace as any conventional valve stem. No special tools are needed. But hex nut stems do have to be carefully tightened to specific value with an accurate inch-pound torque wrench or TPMS valve stem tool.
TPMS stands for “Tire Pressure Monitoring System.” This system uses tire pressure sensors to monitor the air pressure of your tires. If it senses one of more of your vehicle`s tires aren`t at the recommended pressure, the TPMS warning light on the dashboard will turn on or flash.
The Feature: In this system, the vehicle`s ABS wheel-speed sensors calculate air pressure based on wheel-rotation characteristics. When the system detects that a tire`s pressure has dropped significantly below the recommended pressure, it alerts the driver by illuminating the TPMS indicator within the gauge cluster.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
What does the tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) Warning Light mean?
ANSWER : The tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) Warning Light is located on the instrument panel. The TPMS warning light can illuminate for two reasons:
1. There is an issue with the TPMS that needs to be resolved.
2. A spare tire is currently being used.
Tip
Like all warning lights, the TPMS warning light briefly illuminates when the car is turned on. The light is only a problem if it stays lit when the engine is on.
What does the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) Warning Light mean?
ANSWER : The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) Warning Light is located on your instrument panel. When this light blinks for roughly one minute, then your TPMS is malfunctioning, and your car should by inspected as soon as possible.
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.
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.
Service tire monitor warning, tire pressure a bit high
ANSWER : This is likely due to the fact that the person who changed your tires may have broken your TPMS sensor in that particular wheel. If the pressure sensor is not giving a signal at all, this would mean that the sensor has failed or is broken and would require replacement. As long as your tire pressure is correct, it is certainly safe to drive your vehicle as long as the light doesn’t bother you.
The sensor will need to be replaced in order to make the light go off. I would recommend going back to the place that installed your tires and inquire as to why the sensor is no longer working, especially when it worked just fine before the tires were replaced. They may replace the sensor for free.
If they are unable to help you get it fixed or you simply want a second opinion on this, contact a professional mechanic who can diagnose your TPMS light firsthand and fix it accordingly.
What does it mean if the Tire Pressure Monitoring System light comes on in the dash?
ANSWER : If the Tire Pressure Monitoring System light (TPMS) light comes on in the dash of your car, it indicates there’s a problem with the system itself, not that there’s a tire low on air. The TPMS light means that the system isn’t able to communicate with a sensor. There are a couple of reasons for this to happen:
The spare tire is installed on the car (the spare doesn’t have a sensor, so the TPMS light will come on normally).
One of the sensors has failed to communicate with the system.
If the light is on but you’re not driving with your spare tire on the car, have it inspected as soon as possible.
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.
Car shut down and will not start. Warning lights are on – 2006 Toyota Highlander
ANSWER : Hello. From what you describe, it would appear that your vehicle is having some sort of electrical issues. The "Generator Inverter Performance" warning comes on when the computer detects an issue with the vehicle’s electrical generator inverter. The generator inverter is the component that converts the high current electricity from the vehicle’s hybrid battery into a lower power form of electricity that is useable by the vehicle’s various systems.
The inverter is located in the engine bay, as the silver box on top of the engine. Unfortunately, the inverter is a critical component to the functionality of the hybrid system, and therefore to the operation of the vehicle, and, as a result, needs to be repaired or replaced before the vehicle will run again.
The VSC system warning light comes on when the computer detects an issue with the vehicle’s stability control system. This is usually due to a fault with the wheel speed sensors or the ABS module, though electrical issues can sometimes effect this system as well and cause it to behave erratically. I would start by taking care of the generator inverter issue and going from there.
I recommend having a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, perform an inspection to determine why the warning lights are on and suggest any needed repairs.
