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Does Honda TPMS tell you which tire?

Yes, the Honda Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) can tell you which specific tire is low on air pressure. The TPMS system in Honda vehicles is designed to monitor the air pressure in each individual tire and provide a warning if any tire falls below the recommended pressure level.


How Honda TPMS Works


The Honda TPMS uses sensors installed in each wheel to constantly monitor the air pressure in the tires. These sensors transmit the pressure data to a central control unit in the vehicle. If the pressure in any tire drops below a certain threshold, usually around 25% below the recommended level, the TPMS will illuminate a warning light on the dashboard to alert the driver.


Unlike some basic TPMS systems that only provide a general low-pressure warning, the Honda TPMS can identify the specific tire that is underinflated. This is done through the use of the individual wheel sensors, which allow the system to pinpoint the location of the low-pressure tire.


Benefits of Honda TPMS



  • Improved Safety: Underinflated tires can negatively impact handling, braking, and fuel efficiency, increasing the risk of a blowout or accident. The Honda TPMS helps drivers maintain proper tire pressure for optimal performance and safety.

  • Convenience: By identifying the specific tire that needs air, the TPMS eliminates the guesswork and saves drivers time when addressing a low-pressure issue.

  • Tire Lifespan: Properly inflated tires wear more evenly, which can extend the overall lifespan of the tires.


Overall, the Honda TPMS is a valuable safety and convenience feature that helps drivers maintain their vehicle's tires in optimal condition.

How do Honda TPMS sensors work?


Honda's Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) works by using either indirect or direct methods to alert you to low tire pressure. Indirect systems (common on recent models like the Civic and Accord) use the car's ABS wheel-speed sensors to estimate tire pressure based on wheel-rotation speed. Direct systems use physical sensors inside each tire that transmit actual pressure readings. When pressure is too low, a dashboard light will illuminate to warn you to add air.
 
This video explains how Honda's indirect tire pressure monitoring system works: 49sHonda Canada Inc.YouTube · Dec 13, 2017
How Honda TPMS works

  • Indirect TPMS:
    • This system doesn't have sensors in the wheels. 
    • It uses the ABS wheel-speed sensors to measure how fast each wheel is rotating. 
    • If a tire is underinflated, its diameter is smaller, and it will spin faster than the other tires. 
    • The car's computer detects this difference and triggers the TPMS warning light. 
    • This system requires a manual reset after inflating tires or rotating them. 
  • Direct TPMS:
    • This system uses sensors mounted on the inside of each wheel, near the valve stem. 
    • These sensors directly measure the air pressure in each tire. 
    • They send the data wirelessly to the car's computer. 
    • The system can pinpoint exactly which tire has low pressure. 
    • After a tire is properly inflated, this system often recalibrates automatically after driving a short distance. 

What happens when the light comes on
  • A low tire pressure light on the dashboard indicates that one or more tires are underinflated. 
  • If the light is flashing, it indicates a more serious problem and you should get the tires inspected immediately. 
  • You should check the tire pressure as soon as it is safe to do so and inflate them to the pressure listed on the placard inside the driver's side door jamb. 

Recalibrating the system
  • If you have an indirect system, you must recalibrate it after adding air or rotating the tires. 
  • For vehicles with a TPMS button: Press and hold the button (often with a tire-with-exclamation-point symbol) until the light on the dash flashes twice. 
  • For vehicles with a touchscreen: Go to the "Settings" or "Vehicle" menu, select "TPMS Calibration," and then "Calibrate". 
  • The system will recalibrate itself after you have driven the vehicle for about 30 minutes at speeds between 30 and 60 mph. 



How to tell which tire has low pressure on a Honda CRV?


To find which Honda CR-V tire has low pressure, check the driver's side door jamb sticker for the recommended PSI for all four tires. Many modern CR-Vs with a direct TPMS will show the pressure of each individual tire on the vehicle's information display when you turn the key on or navigate to the tire pressure menu. Older models may use an indirect TPMS that only warns that a tire is low without specifying which one. 
How to find the low tire

  • Use the in-car display: 
    • Turn your CR-V on to accessory mode or start it. 
    • Navigate through the car's home screen or maintenance menu to find "Tire Pressure". 
    • This screen should show the individual pressure for all four tires, with the low tire highlighted. 
  • If the in-car display doesn't show individual tires:
    • You'll need to manually check each tire's pressure with a gauge. 
    • Visually inspect the tires for any that appear flat or significantly deflated. 
  • Check the sticker:
    • The sticker on the driver's side door jamb provides the manufacturer's recommended PSI for your specific vehicle. 
    • This is the most accurate source for the correct tire pressure, as it can vary by model year. 

What to do next
  • Inflate the tire: Once you've identified the low tire, use a pressure gauge to add air until it reaches the recommended PSI. 
  • Check the other tires: Check the pressure on all four tires to ensure they are all at the correct PSI, as low pressure in one tire can lead to problems with the others. 
  • Reset the system: Some models require you to reset the system after correcting the pressure. This can be done by pressing a button on the dashboard or navigating to the "TPMS calibration" menu on the infotainment screen. 



Are TPMS sensors tire specific?


Yes, a car with a direct TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) has a sensor in each tire that monitors its pressure and transmits the data to the vehicle. Some vehicles use an indirect TPMS, which does not have sensors in each tire but instead uses the anti-lock brake (ABS) system's wheel speed sensors to detect a change in pressure.
 
Direct TPMS

  • How it works: Each tire has a sensor, often integrated into the valve stem, that measures pressure and temperature and sends the data to the car's computer. 
  • What it tells you: This system can provide real-time pressure readings for each individual tire on the dashboard display. 
  • Maintenance: Direct TPMS sensors have their own small battery and may require professional replacement when a tire is serviced. 

Indirect TPMS
  • How it works: This system uses the existing wheel speed sensors from the ABS. 
  • What it tells you: When a tire loses pressure, its circumference gets smaller, and it rotates faster than the others. The system detects this difference and triggers a warning light. 
  • Limitations: This system cannot provide the specific pressure reading for each tire and won't alert you to a drop in pressure until it is significantly low (typically 25% or more). 



How does TPMS know which tire is which?


TPMS knows which tire is which primarily through unique IDs assigned to each sensor, which are registered with the vehicle's computer system. Many modern systems use direct TPMS with a unique serial number for each sensor, which the car's computer associates with a specific wheel position. For other systems, such as indirect TPMS that lacks individual sensors, the car's computer identifies low pressure based on wheel speed differences measured by the ABS sensors. 
You can watch this video to learn how to identify a Tire Pressure Monitoring System: 1mDillAirControlsYouTube · Mar 7, 2013
How it works

  • Unique sensor IDs: Each direct TPMS sensor has a unique serial number or ID programmed into it by the manufacturer. 
  • Registration process: During the initial manufacturing or installation, the car's computer is programmed to recognize the unique ID of each sensor and associate it with a specific wheel location (e.g., front-left, front-right). 
  • Location detection: In some systems, the car's computer uses a combination of the sensor's ID and the position of the receiving antenna to determine which tire is which. For example, the car may have an antenna near each wheel, and when a sensor sends a signal, the computer can identify its location based on which antenna received the signal. 
  • Relearning after tire rotation: When tires are rotated, the system needs to relearn the positions of the sensors. This can often be done automatically through a few minutes of driving, or it may require a manual "relearn" procedure using a tool, according to this Reddit post and Urb's Garage. 

This video explains how TPMS sensors work in direct and indirect systems: 47sCars SimplifiedYouTube · Apr 9, 2022


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.