How to Reset the Tire Pressure Warning System
by Leonardo R. Grabkowski
Since 2007, federal law has required every vehicle sold in America to come equipped with a tire pressure warning system (also called tire pressure monitoring system). The system sends tire pressure information to your vehicle's computer, letting you know if tire pressure is too low or too high.
Step 1
Remove the valve stems from each of your vehicle's tires. Attach the air gauge to the valve stem to check the tire air pressure. Most vehicles require a pressure level of 30 to 33 psi, but this will vary. Check your owner's manual to see what the recommended pressure is for your vehicle.
Step 2
Add or reduce the air in each tire that needs it. If you don't have an air tank, visit a gas station with an air machine. Be careful not to overfill the tires. If you need to reduce the air, press the center part of the valve stem to let air out.
Step 3
Double-check all of your tires for consistency. Each tire needs to be no more than one PSI lower/higher than the recommended level. Replace your valve stem caps and drive the vehicle around for a few minutes. The tire pressure monitoring system constantly checks air pressure and will reset after a few miles.
References
Tips
- Check your tire pressure at least once a month. The EPA estimates that properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage by 3.3 percent.
Things You'll Need
- Air gauge
- Air tank
Writer Bio
Leonardo R. Grabkowski has been writing professionally for more than four years. Grabkowski attended college in Oregon. He builds websites on the side and has a slight obsession with Drupal, Joomla and Wordpress.
