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Tire pressure (TPMS) light stays on after filling tires: Causes & How to Fix It

If your vehicle is showing tire pressure (tpms) light stays on after filling tires, here are the most likely causes and the parts you'll need to fix each one.

Most likely causes

System Needs Reset or Drive Cycleminor

Many vehicles require driving above 15-20 mph for several miles to register the new tire pressures. Others require you to press a manual TPMS reset button located in the glovebox, under the steering wheel, or in the infotainment menu.

Dead TPMS Sensor Batterymaintenance

TPMS sensors have internal, non-replaceable batteries that typically last 7 to 10 years. When a battery dies, the sensor stops transmitting, causing the system to trigger a fault light (often flashing for 60 seconds on startup before staying solid).

Damaged TPMS Sensoraddress soon

The delicate sensor inside the wheel can easily be broken by a tire machine during a recent tire replacement or flat repair. Corrosion from road salt or missing valve caps can also destroy the sensor stem.

Low Spare Tire Pressureminor

Many SUVs and trucks have a full-size spare tire equipped with its own TPMS sensor. If the spare tire loses air over time, the light will stay on even if your four main tires are perfectly inflated.

Faulty Wheel Speed Sensoraddress soon

Some vehicles do not have sensors inside the tires; instead, they use the ABS wheel speed sensors to calculate tire pressure based on rotational speed. A failing sensor will trigger the TPMS light, usually accompanied by an ABS or Traction Control light.

Body Control Module (BCM) or Receiver Failureaddress soon

The central computer module or wireless receiver responsible for picking up the signals from the tire sensors has failed, lost its programming, or has a wiring issue.

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