What is the Tire-Pressure Monitor System?
The Advantages of a Honda Tire Pressure Light System
What is TPMS, aside from an annoying little warning that lights up on your dashboard every time the weather changes? T.P.M.S. stands for Tire Pressure Monitor System and it has enormous safety, efficiency and performance benefits. A standard feature in all passenger vehicles in the United States starting in 2012, the function of Honda Tire Pressure Light Systems in modern vehicles is to alert the driver when levels drop to 20% below the recommended pressure.
How Does the Honda Tire Pressure Light Work?
Anytime the TPMS light in Hondas come on it’s a great idea to have your tire pressures checked at Fisher Automotive in Boulder for the following reasons:
- Safety: Under-inflated tires are dangerous, often leading to blow-outs and tire failures that result in loss of control or accidents. Tires that are properly inflated add greater handling and stability, braking efficiency and overall safety.
- Fuel Efficiency: With the recent and constantly impending rise in the price of fuel, getting the most mileage for your money is more important than ever. Ensuring that your tires are properly inflated allows you to squeeze every bit mileage out of each tank of gas.
- Environmental Efficiency: The Department of Transportation estimates that each year under-inflated tires release over 57.5 billion pounds of unnecessary carbon-monoxide emissions and are the cause of over 2 billion wasted gallons of fuel in the United States alone!
We here at Fisher Auto in Boulder recommend you check your TPMS light in a Honda once a month as your tires may seep as much as 2 psi to 3 psi in a 30 day period. If you are uncomfortable doing this on your own, swing by our dealership at the intersection of Cherryvale and Arapahoe and one of our technicians would be more than happy to give you a hand.
As average service interval is about 6 months waiting to check your Honda Tire Pressure Light at that time may leave your tires up to 18 psi under-inflated by the time you visit us for service, wasting fuel and costing you money.
How to Reset the Honda Tire Pressure Light
You’ll also need to reset the TPMS light on a Honda. Thankfully, this is a simple process as seen below:
- Drive at or above 50 mph to reset the sensor for 10 minutes. This can cause your sensor to reset the next time you turn your car on.
- With the vehicle off, turn the key to the “On” position, but don’t start the car. Hold the TPMS reset button until the tire pressure light blinks three times. Release it, then start the car and wait 20 minutes for the sensor to refresh. The tire pressure monitor reset button is usually found beneath the steering wheel. If you can’t find it, check the user’s manual.
- Inflate all tires to 3 PSI over the amount recommended, then deflate them completely. Be sure to do this to the spare tire as well because it might have a sensor in it. Once they’re all deflated, inflate them to the recommended tire pressure.
- With the vehicle turned off, take off the positive battery cable with a wrench. Turn the car on and honk the horn for roughly three seconds. This will take care of any power still stored in the vehicle. After that, reconnect the battery.
Now that you know more about your Honda Tire Pressure Light, you can find more helpful service guides and save with our service coupons and specials on your next visit. Schedule a service appointment online or by phone at (303) 647-4913 to have our factory certified service team help you with your vehicle today!
