Symptoms
- Light was off before the tire change, on afterward
- Tires are correctly inflated
- May blink at startup then stay solid
Likely causes
- CommonSystem needs a sensor relearn procedureMany vehicles require a specific drive cycle or tool after any tire work.
- PossibleSensor damaged or knocked off during mountingTPMS sensors are fragile and can crack if handled roughly.
- PossibleSensor not reinstalled or reprogrammed correctly by the shopAftermarket sensors sometimes need programming to match the vehicle.
- Less commonLow tire pressure coincidentallyWorth ruling out first since it's the simplest fix.
What to do
- Double check all four tire pressures against the door jamb sticker.
- Look up your vehicle's TPMS relearn procedure; some just require driving at a certain speed for several minutes.
- Try the relearn procedure if your car supports a simple drive-based reset.
- Contact the shop that installed the tires if the light persists, since they may need to reprogram a sensor.
- Ask the shop to scan and confirm all four sensors are communicating.
- Request replacement of any sensor that shows as faulty or not responding.
Tools and parts
- Tire pressure gauge
TPMS sensorSearch: “TPMS sensor for your car make and model”
When to call a pro
Go back to the tire shop that did the work; a damaged or unprogrammed sensor from installation is usually covered under their service.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.