Why TPMS Dashboard Light Keeps Coming On

One of the most important systems in your vehicle is the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). If it senses a problem, it activates the dashboard light. Many drivers notice that their car’s system lights up even if nothing appears wrong. If you’re wondering why your TPMS dashboard light keeps coming on, check out these suggestions.

What TPMS Does

Before we get into the dashboard light and what it means, we will explore the purpose of the TPMS. As its name suggests, the TPMS monitors the air pressure of your vehicle’s tires for safety and efficiency while driving. The two types of TPMS differ in how they measure a tire’s air pressure.

One system uses software to measure the tire’s diameter and calculate the air pressure. The other type is more direct and includes physical sensors within the tire that constantly gauge the air pressure. When one or multiple tires fall out of the recommended PSI range for the vehicle, the dashboard light will activate to warn the driver.

 
Why Your TPMS Dashboard Light Keeps Activating and What To Do

A common problem many drivers encounter is that the TPMS keeps activating, even after adjusting the tires to get them within the recommended PSI range. The tires seem fine, so why does the TPMS dashboard light keep coming on?

Manually Inspect All Tires

If you fill your vehicle’s tires but notice they lose pressure quickly after, the tire is likely leaking air. Not all tire punctures are noticeable; a slow leak causes a tire to gradually lose air over time and activate the TPMS on the dashboard.

The leak may not be in the tire itself but rather in the tire valve that allows drivers to put air into the tire. You can fix a leaky tire valve without removing the tire, making it an easy fix. Inspect the tire and stems, or hire a professional to check for leaks or holes.

 
Check the Tire Pressure Monitoring System

If the TPMS light is still activating after finding no tire issues, it’s likely an issue with the TPMS or its sensors. As we discussed, many TPMS systems include sensors in the tires; it’s not uncommon for the sensors to break or malfunction. You can reset the TPMS system in your car to fix the problem. Otherwise, you may have to purchase replacement sensors and install them in your tires.