What Happens When a Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensor Fails?

[VonTyler]

A faulty tire pressure monitoring sensor prevents real-time automatic monitoring of tire pressure and temperature. Consequently, it cannot issue timely alerts for high pressure, low pressure, or high temperature in tires, compromising driving safety. The tire pressure monitoring system, abbreviated as TPMS, utilizes technology that records tire rotation speed or employs electronic sensors installed in tires to automatically monitor various tire conditions in real time, providing effective safety protection during driving. TPMS can be categorized into two types: indirect TPMS, which detects tire abnormalities by analyzing differences in tire rotation speed, and direct TPMS, which involves installing four tire pressure monitoring sensors inside the tires. These sensors automatically monitor tire pressure and temperature in real time, whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion, and promptly alert the driver to high pressure, low pressure, or high temperature conditions, thereby preventing traffic accidents caused by tire malfunctions.

[GavinAnn]

When the tire pressure monitoring sensor fails, the warning light inside the car usually stays on, alerting you to a system issue. The most direct impact is that you can't accurately know the pressure of each tire. If a tire is leaking or the pressure is low, the system won't alert you at all, which can be dangerous. I remember one time when a faulty sensor even gave a false alarm—I felt the steering wheel was unstable while driving, and it turned out to be due to uneven tire pressure, nearly causing the car to veer or a tire blowout. Especially on highways or long-distance drives, a malfunctioning tire pressure monitoring system increases the risk of accidents and can also lead to abnormal tire wear, higher fuel consumption, or poor vehicle handling. So, I recommend that as soon as you notice the warning light, don't ignore it—get your tires and sensors checked immediately. Many repair shops can quickly diagnose and replace the sensor, which costs a few hundred yuan. Replacing it makes driving much safer.

[DeCameron]

My car sensor also malfunctioned recently, and the warning light on the dashboard kept flashing, which was really annoying. The worst part is that the repair cost isn't cheap: the sensor itself costs anywhere from a few dozen to over a hundred, plus you have to do matching and programming, adding up to several hundred in labor fees. Even worse, it can't detect tire pressure changes in time—like when there's a slow leak or temperature affects the pressure—the system stays completely silent, increasing the risk of a blowout. The driving experience also worsened: weird noises from the wheels, slightly higher fuel consumption, and constant safety concerns. Fortunately, I dealt with it promptly—got it replaced at the dealership, and now everything's back to normal. This taught me to check the sensor battery life during regular maintenance to avoid unexpected costs and hazards.

[Mitchell]

If the sensor is damaged, the tire pressure monitoring system becomes useless. Without receiving the signal, the warning light on the dashboard will stay on, but you won't know which specific tire has the problem. In actual driving, you might encounter low tire pressure without any alarm, increasing the risk of a blowout, especially in hot weather or under heavy load. It can also affect the car's stability, such as feeling floaty during turns. I remember testing a similar situation where significant tire pressure errors led to longer braking distances or excessive tire wear. The fix is simple—just replace the sensor and relearn it. Safety first, don't delay the repair.