You’ve been driving for a while when you see a yellow light come on in your dashboard—the tire pressure monitor system (TPMS). You check your tires, and they look fine, and all have the same amount of air.
What does it mean when the TPMS comes on? The TPMS signifies that one or more of your tires is not at the correct tire pressure. It’s time to pull out your tire gauge and pump or find yourself at a gas station.
If you have a Subaru Impreza, Crosstrek, Forester, Legacy, WRX, STI, or BRZ, you may have experienced problems with a low tire pressure sensor (TPMS) warning light coming on.
Here’s how to take care of Subaru Tire Pressure Sensor Problem.
Subaru tire pressure sensor problem
The TPMS system is designed to notify the driver when one or more of the tires are at a low-pressure level. The TPMS warning light will illuminate when it detects low tire pressure, and it may also beep. The tires will also say “CHECK TIRE PRESSURE” on the dashboard.
If you have recently purchased new tires for your Subaru, it is possible that the TPMS light has illuminated due to the new tires not having a TPMS sensor inside them.
If you are sure that your tires have the TPMS sensors inside them, your light may be on because one of the sensors requires replacement. Your vehicle’s computer will display a code that indicates which tire sensor needs to be replaced. Some common codes include:
- 1 = Left Front Tire Low Pressure
- 2 = Right Front Tire Low Pressure
- 3 = Left Rear Tire Low Pressure
- 4 = Right Rear Tire Low Pressure
- 5 = Left Front and Rear Tires Low Pressure
- 6 = Right Front and Rear Tires Low Pressure
- 7 = All Four Tires Low Pressure
How do you reset the tire pressure sensor on a Subaru?
Tire pressure sensors are there to let you know when one of your tires is at a dangerously low-pressure level. It’s important to pay attention to them because driving with low tires can cause a blowout and an accident.
However, tire pressure sensors are not perfect. They do sometimes give false readings, which can be annoying. If you find that one of your tires is consistently registering as flat when it’s actually fine, then there may be a problem with the sensor itself, which needs to be addressed.
To reset the TPMS on a Subaru:
Open the driver’s door and make sure all doors are closed (the light will blink). Close all doors, turn off the ignition and wait at least one minute. Start the engine and then close all doors again (the light will continue blinking). Drive the vehicle above 20 mph for more than 5 minutes (the light will stop blinking).
Subaru Tire Pressure Sensors
Tire pressure sensors are the small, battery-operated devices in the wheel wells that track the air pressure of each tire. They send a signal to the car’s ECU, which monitors if pressure is at the specified psi level.
When tire pressure gets low, a warning light will appear on your dash. Some vehicles will allow you to reset the sensor using your car’s computer system and others need to be adjusted manually.
Subaru’s Woes with TPMS
Subaru has had some major issues with its tire pressure sensors over the years. Most notably, their TPMS systems have defective parts that cause them to fail prematurely.
In fact, Subaru was one of several vehicle manufacturers sued by the U.S. Government because of faulty tire pressure monitoring systems. The company settled out of court by extending warranties on some models and offering free repairs for other models that were affected by TPMS issues.
The good news is that most Subaru models now come equipped with a system called EyeSight, which is part of Subaru Starlink technology.
Why is my tire pressure light on when my tires are fine?
The following are some of the most common reasons a tire pressure light will come on when there’s no problem with the tires.
- Dirt/Rust on Wheel Sensor: The sensor, which is mounted on the wheel itself, can get dirty or covered in rust. Cleaning it may solve the problem.
- Wheel Sensors Damaged: A damaged sensor causes the TPMS to malfunction. The sensor must be replaced if it’s damaged.
- TPMS Needs Reset: If you’ve recently rotated your tires or replaced a tire and/or a sensor, you’ll need to reset the system so it can relearn where each tire is located on your vehicle and what pressure should be in each one.
- Bad TPMS Sensor: TPMS sensors normally last for about ten years, but they can go bad before then. If a TPMS sensor is malfunctioning, it will need to be replaced.
Why is my tire pressure light still on after filling tires Subaru?
The tire pressure warning light is designed to come on when the tire pressure drops by 25 percent or more. This means that if the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle is 32 psi, the light will turn on when the pressure in any of your tires drops below 24 psi.
If you notice that the light stays on after filling your tires to the recommended air pressure, this may indicate a problem with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and should be inspected by a certified mechanic.
If you suspect your TPMS is not functioning properly, request a tire pressure sensor inspection and if needed, a tire pressure sensor replacement.
What causes a tire pressure sensor fault?
The tire pressure sensor light is a yellow exclamation mark in the middle of a horseshoe. When this light comes on, it means that there is a problem with the tire pressure sensing system (TPMS). There are several reasons why this light might come on, but they all boil down to three things:
- There is a problem with the TPMS module.
- There is a problem with the sensors.
- There is a problem with the tires or wheels themselves.
If the TPMS light is not blinking but remains on after the vehicle is driven for a few miles, or if the light is on when a tire pressure adjustment is made, one or more of the tires are severely under-inflated.
If the above steps do not reset the TPMS, take your vehicle to your local Subaru retailer for service.
Where can I find the correct tire pressure for my Subaru?
Tire pressure sensors are made of two parts: a sensor that is mounted in the wheel and an antenna that is mounted in the tire valve. The sensor monitors the air pressure of your tire and sends a signal to the antenna. The antenna is what will notify you when the pressure in your tires drops significantly.
If you have a puncture or a leak, your TPMS system will let you know that there’s been a significant loss of pressure in one of your tires. You can also check your Subaru’s tire pressure information to see if your pressure is above or below where it should be.
The best place to find the correct tire pressure for your Subaru is in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. You can also find this information on the driver’s side door jamb or inside the glove compartment. If you still aren’t sure, it’s always best to ask a certified mechanic who knows exactly what you need.
How does Subaru TPMS work?
Your Subaru’s TPMS has sensors that are located on each wheel. When these sensors notice that there’s been a significant loss of air, they’ll send a signal to your TPMS receiver.
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) on your Subaru is designed to monitor the air pressure in each of its tires. The warning light will activate when the air pressure drops 25% or more below the recommended psi.
Tires are a critical part of how your vehicle handles, and low tire pressure can cause damage to your tires and wheels, shorten the life of your tires, and even make you lose control while driving.
If you notice your TPMS light come on, it’s important to stop and check the air pressure as soon as possible.
It’s also important to note that some TPMS lights are triggered by a faulty sensor rather than actual low tire pressure, so if you’ve properly inflated all four of your tires and the light doesn’t go away, you should take it to a service center where the TPMS can be inspected.
Subaru’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) measures the tire pressure in each of your vehicle’s tires. If a tire is under-inflated, it will illuminate a dashboard warning light and display a warning message to alert you.
The TPMS system is designed to monitor the air pressure in all four tires and to warn you when the air pressure in any one or more of the tires falls below a pre-determined level. The system is also capable of monitoring tire temperature, which can help detect if a tire is overinflated or overloaded.
Additionally, Subaru’s TPMS system is able to automatically adjust the settings for your automatic climate control system based on ambient temperature changes at all four wheels, which means that you’ll maintain optimal comfort levels no matter where you sit in your car.
Subaru recommends checking your tire pressure every month using an accurate gauge and adjusting it as needed to match the recommended tire pressure settings for your vehicle.
Why does my tire pressure light keep coming on and off?
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) on your Subaru monitors the air pressure in each of your four tires. When the air pressure in one or more tires drops 25 percent or more below the recommended tire pressure, the TPMS sensor will alert you via a dashboard warning light.
This is your warning that you need to add air to the affected tire(s). Once all tires are back to their recommended pressure, the light should turn off. If there’s a problem with your TPMS sensor, however, it can fail to come on when needed, or it can stay on when there is no longer a problem.
Why is my tire pressure sensor not working on my tire?
If your tire pressure warning light comes on, it means one or more tires are underinflated by 25 percent or more. It’s important to note that the system is calibrated for optimum safety and performance.
If a tire is underinflated by as little as 25 PSI, fuel efficiency can drop by up to 3.3 percent. That’s a loss of over two miles per gallon! In addition, underinflated tires can reduce vehicle handling and braking performance, increase tire wear, and even cause permanent damage to the tire.
Any Subaru equipped with an engine immobilizer system has a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System). In these models, the TPMS uses brake-transmitting sensors that communicate with the onboard computer.
These sensors monitor not only tire pressure but also temperature, which can help you detect potential problems before they lead to serious damage or injury.
Do high-pressure tires have TPMS sensors?
If your tires are underinflated by just three psi, it can reduce the life of the tire by 1,000 miles. Over 10% of tires on the road are under-inflated, which can also cause poor handling, reduced fuel economy, and increased risk of tire failure from overheating.
Subaru’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) alerts you when your tire pressure is low with a warning light on your dashboard. Some older Subarus use direct TPMS, which uses a tire pressure sensor in each wheel to monitor tire pressure.
Newer models use indirect TPMS that monitors the speed of each wheel and compares it to the other wheels to detect a change in pressure and warn you accordingly.
Many factors can trigger the TPMS light to come on:
– The most common reason is that one or more tires are under-inflated (or over-inflated).
– If you recently replaced your tires, it could be your TPMS sensors need to be reset.
– Your TPMS system may have a malfunction and need to be repaired or replaced.
– Your tire pressure sensor may have failed and needed replacement.
If you’re not sure what’s causing your light to come on, bring it in to our shop for an inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you turn off the tire pressure sensor?
Tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) are great safety features that come with most new vehicles. However, sometimes these sensors can malfunction and will need to be reset or replaced. Here’s how:
i. Remove all four of your tires and put them in your trunk or back seat
ii. Use an air compressor to fill the tires up with air, making sure not to overfill them because this can cause damage
iii. Put each tire back on its respective wheel, and you’re good to go!
2. How do you know which tire sensor is bad?
When one of your tires is low on pressure, it triggers a warning in the vehicle’s computer. The computer then turns on the low tire pressure indicator light, usually located on the dashboard.
Some vehicles include digital readouts that show which particular tire is low on air. This makes it easier to identify which tire needs air and eliminates the need to check each individual tire.
3. Can I drive with the TPMS light on?
Yes, you can drive with a TPMS light on temporarily, but it’s not recommended and should only be used as a last resort and never done for an extended period of time.
4. Can you reset tire sensors?
If replacing a faulty sensor doesn’t turn off the warning light, you may need to reset the ECU (electronic control unit) in your car. Once all four tires are properly inflated, turn off your car and place the key in the ignition without starting it.
Conclusion
If you have a Subaru, you’ve probably heard of the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and its problems. Many owners have experienced issues with the TPMS in their Subaru vehicles.
Tire pressure is something that should always be monitored and checked regularly by drivers, but we don’t always pay as much attention to it as we should.
Many drivers only check their tire pressure when they notice that one of their tires feels underinflated. For many drivers, this will naturally happen when the TPMS light comes on.
