Fixing a Lit SVC Tire Monitor Light
Check your tire pressure. The SVC tire monitor light is a part of your tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). When this light blinks or turns on, it means there is a problem somewhere in the system that monitors the air pressure in your car’s tires. When the light comes on, the first thing you want to do is stop to check the air pressure in your tires. You can find the recommended pressure for your tire on a label inside the driver’s side door or in your owner’s manual. If you don’t have a pressure gauge, you can take your car to a nearby gas station or garage as long as your tires aren’t visibly flat.
Fill underinflated tires to the recommended cold tire inflation pressure. Once you have determined which of your tires is low, you can fill them with a manual pump or automatic air compressor. Remove the cap on your tire’s valve stem and attach the air hose to the valve to fill up your tires, making sure to check the pressure as you go. If you don’t have an air pump or compressor, most gas stations have free or low-cost air dispensers you can use. Filling up a tire with a manual pump can be time-consuming. You should only use one if the air in your tire just needs to be topped off. Check to make sure you don’t overinflate your tires.
Try resetting your TPMS. In some cases, there may be a software issue with your monitoring system. It can sometimes be reset with the simple push of a button. Refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to reset your TPMS. You may also be able to reset your car’s system by disconnecting the battery, waiting a few minutes, and then reconnecting it.
Check the tire sensors for damage. If your SVC tire monitor doesn’t go off after driving a short distance or resetting your TPMS, it means something is wrong with the system. The most common issue is a damaged or faulty sensor in the tire. You can replace your own tire pressure sensors, but some types of sensors require you to remove the tire. It’s also helpful to have a TPMS diagnostic tool that indicates which sensors are in your tires and what their status is. If you don’t want to replace the sensors yourself, you can take your car to a service station or garage.
Take your car to a mechanic. If you’ve checked your tire pressure and your TPMS, and the light is still coming on. Make an appointment to have the TPMS checked out by a professional. They have specialized tools and experience with tire monitoring systems to help them troubleshoot issues and get you back on the road safely. Replacing the TPMS sensor in a single tire usually costs from $50 to $350. For reference, a sensor alone can cost anywhere from $40 to $200.
Can you drive with the SVC tire light on?
It’s possible to drive short distances with the SVC tire light on. Always check your tire pressure before driving if the SVC tire light comes on. While a damaged TPMS sensor doesn’t directly affect the tire’s safety, if you continue to drive with the light on, you won’t know when there’s a real issue with the tire. If your SVC tire light comes on while you’re driving, pull over and check the tire pressure before continuing to drive. It’s best to check your tire pressure when the tire is cold or has been more than 3 hours since they’ve been driven on. However, if your tires appear to be close to the appropriate air pressure, you can usually drive to a nearby service station as long as you take it slow.
What is a TPMS?
A TPMS monitors the air pressure inside your car’s tires. It alerts you when any of your tires become underinflated. There are two main types of TPMS: direct and indirect. Each uses a different type of technology to monitor your tire pressure.
Direct TPMS measures the actual air pressure inside your tire. A sensor is mounted inside each tire, usually on the valve stem. When the air pressure drops below a safe level, the sensor signals the system to turn on the SVC tire monitor light. This type of TPMS provides the most accurate readings since it measures the real-time air pressure in each tire. A direct TPMS requires regular battery changing and can be more expensive to repair or replace.
An indirect TPMS uses your car’s anti-lock brake system (ABS). Because underinflated tires rotate at different speeds than properly inflated tires, the TPMS uses your ABS’s speed sensors to compare your tires' rotational speeds. If the TPMS detects significant differences in your tires’ rotation speeds, the warning on your dashboard lights up. This type of system is cheaper to maintain because there are no sensors in the tires. However, it’s less accurate than a direct TPMS, and uneven tire wear can cause false alarms.
Why Do TPMS Sensors Go Bad?
TPMS sensors can fail due to damage or extreme temperature changes. While your TPMS sensors are designed for regular wear and tear, they can fail for a few different reasons. Understanding why these sensors go bad can help you determine how to maintain them and when to replace them.
Corrosion can cause TPMS sensors to fail. Sensors can come into contact with salt in areas that use it to deice roads. Salt can cause corrosion that damages the sensor, causing it to fail completely or give false readings.
Physical damage from driving hazards can cause sensors to fail. Even bumping a curb or driving over a pothole can damage the TPMS sensor. While the sensor might not fail right away, the damage can cause inaccurate readings and early failure.
Improperly installed tires can cause problems with TPMS sensors. These sensors are calibrated to the size of the tire. If you replace a tire without recalibrating the sensor, it won’t be able to measure the air pressure accurately.
Extreme weather can cause TPMS sensors to malfunction. Each of the sensors relies on battery power to keep them running. Severe heat or cold can affect battery performance. Cold weather can make it harder for a battery to hold a charge. Extreme heat can cause batteries to leak. Both conditions can affect the performance of the sensor.
How to Maintain Your TPMS
Perform regular manual checks of your tire pressure. Even with a TPMS, it’s a good idea to check the pressure of your tires to make sure your system is working properly. If your TPMS sensors haven’t failed completely, it can be difficult to tell if they’re malfunctioning. Use a good-quality tire pressure gauge to check the pressure of all 4 tires. Make sure you are checking the tire pressure when they’re cold to get the most accurate reading. Compare the TPMS readings for each tire to the ones you take with your gauge. If there are any significant differences, have a mechanic check your TPMS.
Check your TPMS sensors’ batteries. These batteries can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years. If you live in an area with extreme weather or poorly maintained roads, the battery life can be shorter. Watch for false warning lights. If your SVC tire monitor light stays on even when you’ve confirmed your tires are at the proper pressure, it might mean the sensor has a dead battery. Test your TPMS after your car is serviced. If your TMPS light stays on after a recent trip to the shop, it may not have been reprogrammed correctly. Manually check the tire pressure and add air if necessary. If the light doesn’t turn off, it may need to be reset. Check after tire rotation. This is especially important with indirect TPMS since it tracks tire speeds. If you see the light come on after a rotation, it may mean the system was not properly calibrated.
Why Is a TPMS Important?
Safety is the most important reason to have a functional TPMS. Tires that are even a little bit flat can make your car harder to steer and cause longer stopping times. This can be especially dangerous in an emergency or when there are hazardous road conditions. Underinflated tires cause poor handling and can wear out faster. A blowout at higher speeds on a freeway can be life-threatening for you and other drivers. A TPMS can let you know when the air pressure is dangerously low so you can stop the car and check your tires before disaster strikes.
Properly inflated tires can help you save money. There’s less wear and tear, so they last longer. Tires inflated to the recommended pressure also improve your car’s fuel efficiency. When a tire is flat, more of its surface makes contact with the road surface. This can increase the resistance, meaning your car requires more fuel to move forward. This increased resistance can also cause more wear on the treads, shortening your tire’s life. With better fuel economy and longer tire life, you can lower your carbon footprint, minimize road wear, and help reduce the number of tires going into local landfills.
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