Car manufacturers have to put great emphasis on safety measures because of progressing law against it. One such feature is the TPMS or Tire pressure monitoring system. TPMS sensors are great when they are brand new.
However, as they age, they start to become a handful and show TPMS fault signs out of nowhere.
Read this article to know more about these Tesla tire pressure monitoring system faults, how to easily fix underlying issues, and how to reset the system.
Common Tesla Tire Pressure Monitoring System Faults
The TPMS sensor is on the other side of the valve stem and inside the wheel. It is not a serviceable part. The battery is connected to the back side of the sensor and is good for about five years.
If you have a set of tires you want to replace at any time in the five-year mark it is advisable to get the sensor replaced along with it.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System or TPMS faults refer to inaccurate readings or the system not reading the pressure at all.
Some common faults include:
TPMS Fault Warning
The most common fault or problem users face is the warning sign-up on the dashboard.
Here’s what it looks like:
This happens because of leaks or temperature changes when the sensor is unable to read the pressure of at least one tire.
TPMS Fault Flashing with No Reading
Another fault is the warning sign starts to flash or blink continuously and doesn’t give any reading of the tire pressure.
It indicates a more severe problem. Either the sensors are damaged or the tire is punctured. Here’s an example:
You can see there’s no reading on any of the tires and the fault sign is up.
Inaccurate Readings
The TPMS fault sign shows up if the sensor gives out wrong readings. This can mean that the sensor is either damaged or the wrong one for the tire type.
If the system detects that the readings are not consistent it will flash the TPMS sign on the dashboard which looks like this:
A lot of people face this problem when they switch to winter tires because the calibration is off what it’s supposed to be and the fault sign shows up.
Low or No Signal at All
Signal interference only happens because of the depletion of the batteries inside the sensors. If the batteries are dead, it may also hinder communication between the sensors.
Reasons Behind Tesla Tire Pressure Monitoring System Fault (Solutions Added)
Here are some causes behind Tesla tire pressure monitoring system fault and solutions to apply:
1. Incorrect Tire Pressure
Low tire pressure is the most prevalent reason behind the TPMS fault.
Slow air leakage and natural pressure loss over time will trigger the sensor when it’s below a certain level.
Temperature changes are also another reason for tire pressure changes. The tires lose 1 PSI for every 6°C temperature drop.
Solution
To address the pressure issue use a tire pressure gauge to determine the current pressure level. Check the pressure of each tire.
If the pressure is below what it is supposed to be then you have to inflate the tires enough so that the sensors can pick it up.
Use an air compressor to inflate the tires to what the recommended pressure is. This should resolve the issue and fix the monitoring system.
2. Damaged Tires
Tires aren’t free from wear and tear. Nails, screws, or sharp debris on the road can puncture the tires.
This will prevent the sensors from being able to read the pressure and show a null result on the screen.
Solution
Inspect all four tires for damage or objects like shrapnel lodged inside it. You can tell if the tire is punctured by the state it’s in. It will be deflated and flat.
Repair and seal the puncture promptly. If the damage is too severe consider replacing the set. Always keep an extra tire for such emergencies.
3. Malfunctioning Sensors
Here is where the Tesla tire pressure monitoring system faults get interesting. The sensors usually only last for about five years but there is no guarantee that every single one will cross that mark.
A lot of the time the sensor itself is the culprit behind the fault message. A malfunctioning sensor doesn’t read or communicate with the system and the sign shows up.
Solution
Replacement of these sensors is typically quick and easy. These are non-serviceable so your only choice is to replace them.
Tesla-built sensors will set you back $300 for the whole set but if you want to save up a bit you can also use store-bought generic sensors.
4. Changing Tire Type and TPMS Fault
Tesla has two types of tire pressure monitoring systems. The Baolong (cars before May 2014) and the Continental (all new cars after May 2014).
When you change tire types the Baolong system doesn’t pick it up automatically at all. The Continental system does recognize the tire change but sometimes fails to recalibrate the pressure sensors.
That’s when the fault code shows up. The fix however is really simple.
Solution
If your car is relatively new but doesn’t pick up on the change drive it a couple of miles and it should automatically reset the monitoring system and recognize the new tires.
But if you own a car that has the Baolong system like the Model S 2014 before VIN 50900, you will have to manually reset the system. After resetting it should engage the accurate pressure numbers and the fault sign should disappear.
Read Also: Tesla Tire Rotation: A Complete Guide
How to Reset the Tesla Tire Pressure Monitoring System?
Whether you have a Baolong system or a Continental one, you should know how to reset the Tire Pressure Monitoring System on your Tesla vehicle.
To reset the TPMS follow these steps:
Step 1: First you need to turn on the touchscreen and see if this sign is up or flashing on it.
Step 2: Tap on controls which is the car sign on the bottom left corner. The number 4 icon on this image.
Step 3: Tap on the “Service” option and select “Reset TPMS Sensors”.
Step 4: A pop-up will show up with a warning sign to not reset the sensors to get rid of TPMS warnings. Go ahead and select wheel size and press “RESET”.
Step 5: Once the resetting process is complete it will show a dialogue box to let you know.
Step 6: Drive a few miles to see if the sensors are reading the tire pressures accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Tesla safe to drive with the TPMS fault sign?
Not really. You should actively get rid of the issue before driving for too long. Driving the vehicle with low tire pressure will wear the tires out even more.
What is TPMS Calibration?
Setting a reference value for the tire pressure monitoring system so it gives you a signal when the tire pressure goes below that point.
How much does it cost to replace Tesla TPMS sensors?
The cost can range from $50 to $300 depending on which sensor you get. Tesla-manufactured sensors are a bit expensive while other generic sensors cost only $50 to $100.
Read Also: Find Why is Your Tesla Bluetooth Keeps Disconnecting
