What are the symptoms of a damaged tire pressure sensor?

[DiHector]

The symptoms of a damaged tire pressure sensor include the inability to detect tire pressure. Some vehicles may display a tire pressure sensor fault warning, while others may show no tire pressure information on the dashboard. There are three common methods of tire pressure monitoring: Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring: Direct tire pressure monitoring devices use pressure sensors installed in each tire to directly measure tire pressure. The pressure information is transmitted wirelessly from inside the tire to a central receiver module, which then displays the tire pressure data for each tire. The system automatically alerts when tire pressure is too low or when there is a leak. Indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring: When the pressure in a tire decreases, the weight of the vehicle causes the rolling radius of that tire to become smaller, resulting in a faster rotation speed compared to other wheels. By comparing the differences in rotation speeds between tires, the system monitors tire pressure. Indirect tire pressure alert systems essentially rely on calculating the rolling radius of the tires to monitor pressure. Introduction to Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): This system combines the advantages of both the direct and indirect systems. It is equipped with direct sensors in two diagonally opposite tires and includes a 4-wheel indirect system. Compared to using only a direct system, this hybrid system can reduce costs and overcome the limitation of indirect systems, which cannot detect when multiple tires simultaneously have low pressure. However, it still cannot provide real-time data on the actual pressure in all four tires, as a direct system can.

[JaxsonRose]

Having driven for over a decade, the most common issues when a tire pressure sensor fails are the persistent illumination of the tire pressure warning light—it keeps flashing even after confirming the tire pressure is normal—or it simply doesn’t alert at all, leaving you startled when the tire is already flat. The tire pressure readings on the dashboard also go haywire: either freezing at a certain number or jumping around with incorrect values. Worse yet, you might notice abnormal bumpiness while driving, accelerated tire wear, or even increased risk of a blowout because the system fails to warn you about low pressure in time. I recommend manually checking tire pressure with a gauge before each refueling instead of fully relying on the dashboard. If you spot these signs, don’t delay—head to a repair shop immediately to replace the sensor. Safety comes first.

[SanJayden]

I must say, issues with tire pressure sensors often manifest through warning lights: they keep flashing like a haunted house, indicating system failure; or they stay off like playing dead, leaving you with no warning and on edge. The tire pressure readings on the screen frequently show abnormalities, such as consistently displaying 25psi when the actual pressure is lower or higher. This is mostly caused by aging internal electronic components or depleted batteries in the sensors, which typically last about 5 years before giving out. Expanding on the symptoms, this can make driving dangerous: at high speeds, reduced grip doubles the likelihood of accidents. I usually rely on a mobile app to monitor tire pressure as a backup—double insurance is more reliable. If a problem is detected, I replace the sensor immediately.

[AubreeDella]

Once while driving, the tire pressure warning light suddenly flickered like a bad bulb. I pulled over to check the tires but found nothing wrong—the pressure was perfectly fine. Later, it was diagnosed as a faulty sensor. The symptoms are simple to remember: the light either flickers and flashes erratically or goes completely dead; the tire pressure reading on the dashboard gets stuck and doesn’t update, sometimes displaying false numbers to mislead. When it malfunctioned, I mistakenly thought the tire had a puncture, wasting time and effort on a pointless trip to the repair shop. Worse, it can trigger annoying alarm sounds and disable the vehicle safety system, increasing risks. Next time, I’ll pay closer attention to such anomalies and not ignore them.

[MacDaniela]

From a safety perspective, the symptoms of a damaged tire pressure sensor are evident: abnormal warning indicator—constantly illuminated indicates system failure, or complete absence of light means loss of alert function. This directly leads to undetected low tire pressure, causing a surge in high-speed blowout accidents. Additionally, the tire pressure display screen may show delayed or incorrect readings, such as displaying normal values when they are actually low. Extended effects include increased steering effort while driving, accelerated tire wear, and heightened risk of accidents. I recommend developing a habit of glancing at the dashboard every time you start the car. If anything seems off, don't wait—get it checked and replaced immediately.