Why is my tire pressure light on when my tires are fine on my Honda?
Even if your tires look properly inflated, the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) can still illuminate the warning. The light can come on due to a slow leak, sensor issues, or changes in temperature, and sometimes a reset or relearn is required after maintenance. Here’s what you need to know and how to proceed.
How Honda TPMS works
Direct vs indirect TPMS
Honda vehicles use either a direct TPMS (sensors built into each tire) or an indirect TPMS (which uses the ABS wheel-speed sensors to estimate pressure). Direct sensors report real-time pressure and can trigger the light if a sensor or battery is failing or if a tire is underinflated. Indirect systems rely on baseline comparisons and can be sensitive to temperature changes or baseline shifts; they may require a relearn after tire service or rotation.
Common reasons the light might come on even when tires look fine
These are the typical situations that trigger the TPMS warning in many Honda models:
- Actual low pressure in one or more tires, sometimes only 1–2 psi below the recommended level.
- Temperature changes causing pressure to drop, especially with cold mornings or winter weather.
- Direct TPMS sensor battery failure or a damaged sensor in a tire.
- Sensor damage or a loose/defective valve stem or cap.
- Tire service or rotation requiring a relearn/reset of the TPMS
- TPMS module or wiring fault triggering a fault code (less common but possible).
If your tires appear inflated but the light persists, it’s a sign you should verify actual pressures with a gauge and consider the possibility of sensor or system issues rather than assuming everything is fine.
Diagnosing and fixing the issue
Before you dive into professional service, follow these steps to diagnose and potentially fix the issue yourself.
- Check all four tires (and the spare if your vehicle’s TPMS monitors it) with a reliable tire gauge. Inflate each tire to the vehicle's recommended cold pressure, which is listed on the driver’s door jamb sticker or in the owner’s manual.
- Inspect tires for signs of damage, punctures, nail or screw penetration, sidewall bulges, or slow leaks. Use soapy water on the tread and sidewalls to look for bubbling at the beads, valves, or around punctures.
- After inflating to spec, drive the car for 5–15 minutes at highway speeds (or as recommended in your manual) to allow an indirect TPMS to relearn, or until the system automatically updates if it’s a direct TPMS.
- If your Honda requires a manual reset or relearn procedure, perform it according to the owner's manual or use the TPMS reset button (if equipped). In many cases, simply driving at the correct pressure will clear the light.
- If the light stays on after inflation and a relearn, have the TPMS sensors, batteries, and electronics inspected with a professional-grade scan tool. A technician can pinpoint faulty sensors, a bad receiver, or a wiring fault.
Following these steps will usually determine whether the issue is a simple pressure check or a sensor/system fault. If any tire shows a persistent loss of pressure, repair or replacement is required, and driving on a compromised tire can be dangerous.
When to seek professional help
Consult a Honda technician or tire service center if you cannot find a leak, if the light remains on after inflating to spec and performing a relearn, or if you notice erratic TPMS behavior (flashing light, inconsistent readings, or after-market wheel changes). Professional diagnostics can identify faulty sensors, valve stems, or TPMS module issues, and they can recalibrate or replace sensors as needed.
Summary
The TPMS light on a Honda can come on even when the tires look fine due to true underinflation, weather-related pressure changes, sensor or battery problems, or the need for a TPMS relearn after maintenance. Start with a careful pressure check to the door-sticker specification, inspect for leaks or damage, and perform any required relearn procedures. If the light persists, seek professional diagnostic and service to avoid driving on underinflated tires or unresolved sensor issues.
