Signs of a faulty tire pressure sensor and how to fix it
During operation, a faulty tire pressure sensor will cause the vehicle to operate inefficiently and may even damage the tire.
Therefore, recognizing the signs of a faulty tire pressure sensor and how to fix it is something every driver needs to know.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) has become a common feature on most vehicles today. This system has sensors that monitor the internal pressure of the tires and provide real-time tire pressure information to the warning system, helping the driver to be aware.
However, there are many reasons why the TPMS system gives inaccurate results about tire pressure.
According to experts, the tire pressure sensor is an electronic device so it can be damaged for many reasons. Specifically, such as the sensor's lifespan, temperature, dirt, unexpected collisions and uneven power supply... Therefore, during use, the vehicle may experience some tire pressure sensor error symptoms.
Signs of a faulty tire pressure sensor
One of the signs of a faulty tire pressure sensor is an inaccurate pressure reading. The tire pressure sensor may provide a reading that is much higher or lower than the actual tire pressure. The driver can see the reading through the tire pressure sensor system display on the dashboard or through a separate tire pressure monitor if it is an additional accessory.
A malfunctioning pressure sensor can trigger a tire pressure warning light on your dashboard. The warning light may appear as a symbol that resembles a tire with an exclamation point or the letters “TPMS.” This light usually indicates a fault in the tire pressure monitoring system.
The car's dashboard continuously displays a low tire pressure warning, but the tire remains in a normal state. In addition, when tire pressure and tire temperature change, the parameters displayed on the screen remain unchanged.
How to fix
Car manufacturers put a label on each model that lists the correct tire pressure for each model. This is usually located on the side of the front door or on the gas tank. Tire pressure information can also be found in the owner's manual.
- Users can use a handheld tire pressure gauge to check the tire pressure to see if it is at the correct pressure level as recommended by the manufacturer. In case the tire is over-inflated, the driver needs to release the air to the correct level, and add air if the tire is under-inflated.
Next, the driver needs to reset the tire pressure system on the car. Some cars have a Reset button installed, but some cars need to go into the control system to set it, so before using it, the driver should read the user manual carefully to know how to handle it.
Note, after resetting the tire pressure system, drive the vehicle for at least 15 minutes for the warning light to turn off or for the tire pressure readings to return to normal.
- Drivers should also visually inspect tire pressure sensors for faults or damage due to physical impact, corrosion or loose connections.
- Replace the sensor battery: According to the manufacturer's design, the average life of the sensor battery will last from 2 to 6 years. After this period of time, if the sensor valve does not transmit data to the car's dashboard or the separate tire pressure sensor display, it is very likely that the sensor valve's battery is dead.
When the sensor valve runs out of battery, the display will show “L0” at the parameter display position corresponding to the valve position. In this case, the user will have to remove the valve to replace the battery.
