What does service tire monitor system mean? If you see this alert, it’s probably because one of your sensors has run out of juice. This is the most common reason the alert appears on your dashboard, but there are a few more. The purpose of a tire monitor, the necessity of batteries, and other potential triggers for the message’s appearance will all be discussed.
The use of tire monitors has significantly altered the tire industry.
What Does Service Tire Monitor System Mean?
A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is designed to constantly gather data about the air pressure within your tires. If the system deems that one of your wheels has low tire pressure, it will flash a warning light on your dashboard. However, these systems are known to cause issues after a while because they are susceptible to all sorts of potential mishaps.
Tire monitoring systems are commonly situated within the tire which means that they might fail if you go over a bad pothole or because the sensors have worn out. More often than not, the “service tire monitoring system” warning light means that you ought to replace faulty system components in order for the system to continue gathering data as intended.
Service Tire Monitor System: Basic Definition
Most service tire monitoring systems are built into the tires, which could fail if you hit a big pothole, or the sensors are too old. So most of the time, when you see the “Service Tire Monitoring System” warning light, you must replace parts that aren’t working right so the system can keep gathering data as it should.
Tire Sensors
Sensors installed into a tire can measure the tire’s internal pressure. As a rule, cars will have four tire sensors for each wheel.
The sensors are set up to recognize healthy and unhealthy PSI. So, for example, your car’s tire pressure monitoring system will alert you by lighting up a warning lamp if the pressure in any of your tires dips below the sensor’s set threshold.
Some tire pressure monitors are installed in the valve stem, while others are strapped to the rim using metal. These sensors work the same way, relaying real-time information on the tire pressure to the car’s central processing unit.
Wirelessly reporting PSI readings to the car’s computer thousands of times per second, these sensors are incredibly fast and accurate. This is done frequently in preparation for a sudden pressure drop.
For example, the sensor can alert the driver when a tire’s pressure drops below a certain threshold. The tire sensors are like having a tiny, battery-powered computer embedded in each of your tires.
Service Tire Monitor System vs. Tire Light
Your tire sensor can show one of two different messages. One such signal is a notification that a pressure sensor has detected a drop. A little orange icon in the dashboard will typically show up to convey this message. This is your tire light, and the tire pressure monitoring system uses it to alert you to a problem.
This message is different when the service tire monitor light is illuminated. This is because the TPMS is malfunctioning, as indicated by the “Service Tire Monitor” notification.
Also, this alert frequently indicates that a sensor’s battery has run out of juice. The lithium-ion batteries used in tire sensors typically last for about five years. They eventually become useless and must be replaced.
If a sensor’s battery dies, it won’t be long until the others follow suit. So instead of returning to the store each time a battery dies, it is advised to replace all sensors at once. Changing all four tires at once can be expensive, but it’s necessary if you want to avoid having sensors with different remaining battery life (four months for one, five years for another).
Why Do Tires Lose Pressure?
When a tire loses pressure, it can cause damage to the tread and sidewall of the tire. This is especially true when driving on roads with sharp rocks or debris that can puncture your tires. To keep the tires working correctly, you must check their pressure regularly and ensure the valve stems are not leaking.
Tire pressure loss occurs due to several things, including:
- Leaking valve stem
- Cracked or damaged sidewall
- Underinflated tire (low air pressure)
- Damaged tire
- Low Tire Pressure Sensor (LTP)
What Should I Do When The Light Is On?
You could do a couple of things to resolve the issue. They include:
- Check the tire pressure. If the pressure isn’t proper, you should quickly inflate the tire. But if it doesn’t resolve the issue, the problem lies within the system.
- Check the sensors themselves for cracks or other damage. If damaged, they need to be replaced before driving on them again.
- Call a mechanic if neither of those solutions works. They’ll know what else might be causing this problem and will be able to help resolve it for good.
However, if none of the above works, the only way is to reset the TPMS system.
What Can Cause My Service Tire Monitoring System Warning Light To Come On?
Battery Issues
All in-car electronics are being powered by the battery which works in conjunction with the alternator to constantly provide power to all car accessories, but not the TPMS. This is because the TPMS is situated within the rim, and there is no effective way how one can connect the battery to the system.
This is why a TPMS sensor usually comes with its own small battery that is completely independent of the car’s main battery. As all batteries tend to discharge over time, the one found within the TPMS sensor housing is also going to die eventually. An average lifespan of a TPMS sensor battery is around 5-6 years.
Deflated Tires
The most common reason why the TPMS light comes on is that your tires are not inflated enough. Most tires fail to maintain proper tire pressure slowly over time which means that these systems are designed to spot that. This can easily be fixed by simply airing up the tires and restarting the car. If the warning light persists, your tires are most likely not the issue.
This can also happen if you have a slow puncture. That’s why you should always inspect your tires for damages whenever this light comes on.
Faulty Sensors
As mentioned in the beginning, these TPMS tire sensors are also known to fail from time to time because they are constantly operating under stress, especially if you often drive on unpaved roads. Because they are situated directly on the inside of the rim, they are susceptible to increased levels of vibrations.
This is one of the most common reasons why the service TPMS light comes on and it can easily be repaired by simply replacing the sensors. Experts believe that TPMS sensors should last anywhere between 5-10 years depending on how much driving you do over that period.
Aggressive Potholes
Because these sensors are so close to the ground, they are constantly being shaken while driving. This is why they can sometimes misread the data they are collecting because you went over an aggressive pothole. Such strong disturbance can fool the tire sensor into thinking that your tires are not properly inflated.
This issue is usually resolved by simply restarting the car. However, if the issue persists, chances are that the tire sensor has been damaged or that your tires really are deflating due to blunt force impact.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A TPMS Sensor?
If you want to replace all four TPMS sensors at the same time, you are looking at a $50-$100 bill including labor. It all depends if they are able to replace the TPMS sensor without having to take the entire wheel off. This is rare with most cars out there, but if you have a car on which you can change the TPMS sensors without taking the tire off, you are probably going to pay less.
Can I Drive With My Tire Monitor System Light On?
You are able to drive with your TPMS light on if you carefully inspect your tires. As these systems often fail due to many air-pressure unrelated things, you can drive the car even when this light is on. However, if you decide to do so, you should constantly monitor tire pressure.
On the other hand, if your tire is indeed deflated, you should not drive the car if not absolutely necessary. Sometimes a tire might experience a slow puncture that tends to release air slowly, but that does not mean that the tire is completely safe.
What Are The Benefits Of Properly Inflated Tires?
All modern cars are designed with a specific air pressure level as this is essential for both safety and performance. If your tires are underinflated your will suffer from worse fuel economy, your levels of traction are not going to be even and you are much more likely to experience tire blowouts.
Furthermore, you will not be able to reach significant speeds and your load rating is going to drop severely. If you overinflate your tires you are risking an explosion while also making the ride a low more uncomfortable.
Is Service Tire Monitoring System Important?
Yes. It is crucial for various reasons in addition to letting you know that your TPMS needs to be serviced.
Tire pressure may be below ideal levels or dropped to suboptimal levels when the alert is visible. The tires themselves may also be damaged and unable to keep the correct pressure. This can lead to the following issues:
- Lower fuel efficiency
- Reduced vehicle handling capabilities
- Less payload capacity
- Potential blowout or flat tire
How To Fix Service Tire Monitor System
Resetting the tire pressure indicator is the simplest way to fix your car’s service monitor system. There are two ways to reset the system when the sensors occasionally need further assistance.
Driving for 10 minutes at highway speeds is the first step toward resetting tire pressure monitoring systems. The tire pressure warning light is supposed to go off when you start the car again or after your current drive.
If the approach described above is unsuccessful, try to reset the TPMS light using the following steps.
- Step 1: Switch on the ignition without running the engine.
- Step 2: Locate the TPMS button, then press and hold it until your alert flashes/goes away.
- Step 3: Drive for a while, stop, and start the car again. Your monitor system is now fixed!
In the unfortunate events where the above methods don’t work, take your TPMS-equipped vehicle to a reliable repair shop and let the professionals handle the job.
Resetting The TPMS System
Tire pressure monitoring systems have been on the market for over a decade and never fail to alert drivers when there’s an issue with their tires or wheels. However, If you see this warning light come on in your dash, don’t panic. It’s just letting you know there might be an issue in your car that needs addressing, which, usually, is nothing too serious.
If you are not too confident in your abilities, go ahead and pull into the nearest gas station or auto shop and ask them to check out your tires for damage or punctures. If they find something wrong, the issues will be taken care of promptly, but if that’s an internal issue with the TPMS system, then some diagnostics will be in order, and the repairs will take time.
The alternative, however, is trying to reset the system yourself. After all, It may be a small software problem that you could resolve. To do this, follow these simple steps:
- Turn on the ignition, but don’t start the engine.
- Press and hold the “SET” button for about 10 seconds until all four tires are displayed in your instrument panel.
- Press and release the “SET” button again to clear all four tires from your display.
FAQs
What Does It Mean When Service Tire Monitor System Comes On?
When this warning message appears on your vehicle’s dashboard, it suggests that there may be a malfunction or fault within the TPMS itself or that one or more of the tire pressure sensors aren’t functioning properly. This usually means it’s time for a service appointment to see why the system needs service.
Is It Safe To Drive With Service Tire Monitor System?
Yes. Although driving with a service tire monitor system alert on Chevy or other cars is generally safe, it is crucial to have the problem inspected and fixed as soon as possible. This way, you can rest assured that your car is in good condition and safe to drive.
Can I Shut Off My Tire Monitor System?
Yes. Although you can shut it off if you want, doing so is not advised, and you will need to modify it for your automobile. The simplest way to disable it is to switch pin 2’s red wire to pin 6’s blue wire.
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