How Do I Reset the Tire Pressure Light in a Nissan?
Here’s how to extinguish that pesky dash light.
Tia Brown | Capital One
Article QuickTakes:
A car equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) will flash a warning light if one or more tires read too low on air. This can occur when the tire has a slow leak, full puncture, or during the change from summer to autumn as pressures drop with the temperature.
Often a driver might find that their tire pressure light won’t shut off even after tire pressures are back up to where they should be. If you happen to drive a Nissan there are several methods you can use to attempt to reset a stubborn TPMS light. Make sure to set your tire pressure properly before you get started. Also check your pressure when the tires are cold; even a quick drive to the nearest gas station can bring the measured pressure up a couple pounds.
The Driving Method
The simplest way to reset a Nissan’s TPMS light is to drive the vehicle at 50 mph or above for 10 minutes once the tires are back up to pressure. The next time you restart your Nissan, the TPMS sensor should be reset.
If that doesn’t work, it’s time to try more involved solutions.
The Refill Method
Nissan dealers recommend this three-step method if driving your repressurized tires doesn’t do the job with your TPMS sensor. The first step is to inflate your tires to 3 PSI over the recommended level. After that, deflate your tires completely before reinflating them to their recommended pressure. This should reset the TPMS sensor.
A very important aspect to keep in mind is that if you have a spare tire, it may also have a TPMS sensor inside. Be sure to keep your spare inflated, and if you’re attempting the refill method, include the spare in the process.
Resetting the Sensor Directly
Occasionally, a TPMS sensor may just have to be reset directly rather than by repressurizing the tires. There are a couple of ways to go about this:
First, make sure your car is off. Then, insert the key (if you have one) and move it to the “on” position without actually turning the car back on. If your Nissan has a push button ignition switch, keep your foot off the brake pedal and press the button once to put the car in the “on” position. After that, you’ll want to locate your Nissan’s TPMS reset button—this is usually but not always located underneath the steering wheel; consult your owner’s manual if you’re uncertain where it is. Press and hold the TPMS reset button until the warning light blinks three times, then let it go. Start the car and give the sensor about 20 minutes to refresh.
The other method to directly resetting the TPMS is the most blunt-force way—cut off its power. Again with the car off, disconnect the battery (negative first). Turn the car to the “on” position and honk the horn (which won’t actually honk, since the battery is disconnected) for about three seconds, or long enough to discharge the power stored in the vehicle. After that’s done, reconnect the battery (positive first) and start the car back up. This hard reset should have the TPMS behaving once again.
If you experience repeated issues with your Nissan’s TPMS light either refusing to reset or flashing, there may be a malfunction or an issue with the battery charging system. If problems persist, bring the car to your repair shop of choice to have any issues sorted out.
