What Causes the Tire Pressure Monitoring Alarm When the Tire Pressure is Normal?
3 Answers
The reasons for the tire pressure monitoring alarm going off when the tire pressure is normal are: 1. Malfunction of the tire pressure sensor or receiver module; 2. Driving quickly over uneven road surfaces; 3. Slow air leakage caused by a punctured or aged tire. The impacts of low tire pressure are: 1. Increased friction coefficient with the road surface leading to higher fuel consumption; 2. Heavy steering and tendency to drift, compromising driving safety; 3. Increased movement of tire components causing abnormal heat due to excessive rolling; 4. Reduced functionality of the cord and rubber; 5. Risk of tire blowout during high-speed driving; 6. Increased tire body deformation, leading to sidewall cracks, flexing movements, accelerated rubber aging, cord breakage, and faster shoulder wear.
As someone who has experienced similar situations, I've found that when the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) alerts but the actual tire pressure is normal, it's often not an issue with the tires themselves. The most common culprit is a faulty sensor. For instance, the sensor's battery might be dead—these typically last several years, but when they age, they can give false readings. Or, the sensor might have been knocked out of alignment due to bumps, causing inaccurate readings. Another possibility is a software glitch in the system, especially after a recent infotainment update without a restart. Additionally, large temperature fluctuations can cause the sensor to misinterpret pressure changes. In my case, I first manually checked the tire pressure to confirm it was normal, then used a diagnostic tool connected to the OBD port to check for error codes. Finally, I went to a repair shop to replace the sensor or reset the system, which fixed the issue. For routine maintenance, don’t forget to periodically check the sensor batteries—developing this habit can save you headaches, as false alarms on the highway can be quite unnerving.
In my opinion, this issue is most likely caused by the TPMS sensor, as I've experienced similar problems with a new car. The sensor signal might be interfered with, such as failing to re-pair after a tire change; or it could be a system setting issue, like not properly resetting after the last alarm. Sudden changes in ambient temperature can also trigger false alarms, especially during seasonal transitions between winter and summer. My suggestion is to first stop the car and manually measure each tire's pressure with a tire pressure gauge to ensure it meets the standard. If everything checks out, try restarting the system by disconnecting the power. If that doesn't work, use a smartphone to connect to the vehicle's diagnostic app and scan for faults. To prevent sensor damage, avoid hitting curbs as each sensor costs several hundred dollars to replace. Safety-wise, never ignore the alarm - delayed response to actual air leakage increases the risk of high-speed tire blowouts. Having technicians calibrate the system during regular maintenance can prevent future issues.
