TPMS Sensor Replacement In Nottingham
When a tyre pressure sensor fails, the warning light stays on and the system can no longer tell you when a tyre is losing air. We test and replace TPMS sensors for drivers across Nottingham at our Stapleford garage, and because the sensors sit inside your wheels, the work fits easily alongside our tyre fitting service.
Catching A Slow Puncture Early
A tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) watches the air pressure in each tyre and warns you when it drops too low. Underinflated tyres take longer to stop, handle less precisely, wear faster and use more fuel.
Many drivers don’t notice a slow puncture until the tyre is badly underinflated. A working TPMS gives you early warning, often before the tyre looks flat, so you can deal with it before it causes damage or a blowout.
When a sensor fails, that protection is lost and the warning light usually stays on permanently. Drivers then tend to get used to ignoring it, which defeats the purpose of the system entirely.
Signs Of A Faulty Sensor
- The warning light stays on even though all four tyres are correctly inflated.
- The light flashes for a short time before staying lit, which usually indicates a system fault rather than low pressure.
- The light came on after a tyre change, possibly because a sensor was damaged during fitting or is missing.
- A metal valve stem shows visible corrosion, which can lead to air leaks or a seized valve.
- Air is escaping around the valve stem rather than from the tyre itself.
- Your car’s original sensors are several years old and nearing the end of their battery life.
How We Replace A Sensor
Every new sensor has to be programmed or matched to your car before it will be recognised. The procedure varies by manufacturer. Some cars learn new sensors automatically after a short drive, while others need a diagnostic tool.
- We use a TPMS tool to read each sensor and identify the faulty one.
- We remove the tyre from the wheel to reach the sensor.
- We fit the new sensor with fresh seals and valve parts.
- We refit the tyre and balance the wheel before it goes back on the car.
- We program or match the new sensor to your car so the system recognises it.
- We set the tyre pressures and confirm the warning light has cleared.
If your tyres are also due for replacement, it makes sense to do both jobs together whilst the tyres are already off.
Direct Vs Indirect TPMS
There are two main types of system. Knowing which one your car has explains why some faults need new sensors and others don’t.
Direct TPMS
Direct systems use a sensor inside each wheel, usually attached to the back of the valve, which measures the pressure and transmits it to the car. These systems are very accurate and can often show the pressure of each tyre on the dashboard.
Indirect TPMS
Indirect systems have no sensors in the wheels. Instead, they use the ABS wheel speed sensors to spot a tyre turning faster than the others. An underinflated tyre has a slightly smaller rolling diameter, which the system detects as a difference in speed.
Why Sensors Fail
Flat Batteries
Direct TPMS sensors run on small batteries sealed inside the unit, which typically last somewhere between five and ten years. When the battery runs flat, the whole sensor needs replacing, and sensors fitted at the same time often fail close together.
Valve Corrosion
Many TPMS sensors have aluminium valve stems, which can corrode where they meet the valve nut and wheel. Replacing the seals and valve components whenever tyres are changed helps prevent leaks and seized parts.
Sensor Replacement Costs
The type of sensor your car needs is the main factor, as some manufacturers use more expensive sensors than others. The number of sensors replaced also counts, since several ageing sensors may be due at the same time.
Programming requirements also vary, with some cars needing more time and dedicated equipment. Seized or corroded valves and wheels can make removal take longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Will my car fail its mot with the TPMS light on?
Yes. For cars first used from 1st January 2012 that are fitted with TPMS, a warning light showing a system fault is an MOT failure. A working system is a legal requirement as well as a safety feature.
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Why does my TPMS light come on in cold weather?
Air contracts as it cools, so tyre pressures drop on cold mornings, sometimes enough to trigger the warning. Check and adjust your pressures whilst the tyres are cold, and the light should go out once they’re correct.
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Can I just reset the TPMS warning light?
On cars with an indirect system, you can usually reset the light through the dashboard menu or a button once the pressures are correct. On direct systems, a faulty sensor will keep triggering the warning until it’s replaced.
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Do I need TPMS sensors in my winter wheels?
If your car has a direct system, a second set of wheels needs its own sensors, or the warning light will stay on all winter. The sensors also have to be matched to the car each time the wheels are swapped, unless your car learns them automatically.
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Is it safe to drive with the TPMS light on?
Check your tyre pressures as soon as you can, as the light may be warning you of a puncture. If the pressures are correct, the system has a fault and won’t alert you to any future pressure loss, so it should be repaired promptly.
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How do I know if my car has TPMS?
A tyre shaped warning symbol with an exclamation mark should light up briefly when you start the car. TPMS has been required on all new cars sold in the UK since November 2014, and many earlier models have it too.
Have Your TPMS Tested
A warning light that won’t go out is the most common sign of a failed sensor, and it’s usually a straightforward fix.
Call us on 07546 162 088 or book online to have your system tested.