There’s no way to disable TPMS

There’s no way to disable a TPMS system

If your TPMS system isn’t working, you may be tempted to disable it. Unfortunately, most factory TPMS can’t be disabled without also causing a warning light on the dash.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is in charge of vehicle safety. The TREAD Act was put in place and requires Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) on all vehicles manufactured after Sept. 1, 2007.

Knowing that TPMS sensors can wear and fail and that consumers and shops would resist repairs, the Act mandates that no shop can knowingly disable your TPMS system. In short, a shop can’t disable TPMS.

If your vehicle enters a shop with the TPMS light on, it can leave with the light on. In that case, the TPMS system was disabled when you came in and can leave in the same condition.

However, if your vehicle comes in with the TPMS light off (system is working properly), it cannot leave with the TPMS light on.

What causes a TPMS light on?

• Tire pressure is 25% below the recommended pressure

• The battery in the TPMS sensor has failed (average life is 7-10 years depending on how often you drive). The battery is NOT repalceable. It is sealed in epoxy. You must replace the entire sensor.

The TPMS sensor antenna is missing (A metal cap on the sensor sometimes is used as the antenna. Never replace with a plastic cap).

The TPMS receiver, antenna, and wiring harness have a fault or radio interference.

Can you install winter tires with no TPMS sensors?

No shop can legally swap out wheels with working TPMS sensors with wheels without TPMS sensors. You can do the swap yourself and bring the vehicle into a shop for any type of service with the light on and leave with the light on.

©, 2020 Rick Muscoplat