We still don't replace tires, but WE DO replace TPMS sensors!

Rafael Silva
23 hours ago
4 min read

Let’s get one thing out of the way first: Silva Family Automotive does not do tires. We don't sell them, mount them, or balance them.

But if that little tire pressure warning light has suddenly decided to live on your dashboard, we can definitely be your first phone call!

You may have heard the term TPMS before, but unless you're an automotive person, you probably don't spend much time thinking about what those little sensors actually do. And honestly, that's okay! You're busy. Your car is supposed to tell you when something needs attention. So let's talk about what that annoying little light is actually trying to tell you.

What Is a TPMS Sensor?

TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

Your vehicle's TPMS uses small electronic sensors to monitor the air pressure inside your tires. Depending on the vehicle, these sensors are typically installed inside the wheel assembly or attached to the valve stem.

The sensors chat with your vehicle and send tire pressure information to the dashboard. If the system detects that one or more tires have low pressure, your vehicle can alert you with:

"Hey you, yeah you, you might want to check your tires." 😂

And that's actually a pretty important warning to pay attention to.

Proper tire pressure isn't just about keeping the warning light off.

Driving with incorrect tire pressure can contribute to uneven or premature tire wear, reduced fuel economy, poor handling, and increased safety risks. Maintaining the correct tire pressure helps your tires perform the way they were designed to. Which is why TPMS is such a helpful safety feature. It gives you another way to know when something may be wrong with your tire pressure.

But here's where things can get overlooked…

"My Tires Have Air. Why Is My TPMS Light Still On?"

This is one of the most common questions we hear. Sometimes, the light really does mean you have a low tire. But sometimes, the problem isn't the tire at all.

You could have a faulty TPMS sensor, a sensor that has lost communication with the vehicle, or a sensor that needs to be programmed or relearned.

That's where we come in.

At Silva Family Automotive, we can help diagnose your TPMS system and determine whether the issue is actually low tire pressure or a problem with the sensor itself.

Why Do TPMS Sensors Need to Be Replaced?

Like pretty much everything else on your vehicle, TPMS sensors don't last forever.

The sensors contain electronic components and a small battery. Eventually, that battery can wear out. When that happens, the sensor may stop communicating properly with your vehicle.

You may notice:

Your TPMS warning light stays on.
The tire pressure reading isn't showing correctly.
Your vehicle says a sensor is missing or not communicating.
The warning light comes on even though your tire pressures are correct.
You recently had tire or wheel work done and the TPMS system isn't recognizing the sensor.

Sometimes the sensor itself is damaged or faulty and needs to be replaced.

And yes, a TPMS sensor replacement is completely different from replacing the tire.

That's an important distinction because we can help with the TPMS sensor even though we don't do tires.

Why Does a New TPMS Sensor Need to Be Programmed?

This is the part that surprises a lot of people. You can't always just install a new TPMS sensor and expect your vehicle to automatically know what it is. Your vehicle needs to recognize and communicate with that specific sensor. Depending on the make and model, the sensor may need to be programmed, registered, or relearned so the vehicle's TPMS system knows where it is and can receive the correct information.

Think of it like adding a new contact to your phone.

The sensor may be there, but your vehicle still needs to know "Who are you?"

Once the appropriate programming or relearn procedure is completed, the vehicle can communicate with the sensor and display the tire pressure information properly.

The exact procedure can vary depending on your vehicle, which is why having the right equipment and knowing the correct procedure matters.

So… Do You Have to Replace the Sensor Every Time the TPMS Light Comes On?

No! But that's why proper diagnosis is important.

A TPMS warning light doesn't automatically mean you need four new sensors.

You could simply have a tire that needs air. You could have a sensor that isn't communicating. You could have a sensor battery that has reached the end of its life. Or there could be another issue within the TPMS system.

The first step is figuring out what is actually causing the warning light.

We don't believe in throwing parts at a problem and hoping something fixes it. We'd rather diagnose what's going on and help you understand your options.

"But I Thought You Guys Didn't Do Tires?"

You remembered correctly! 😂 We still don't do tires.

But that doesn't mean we can't help when your TPMS system is giving you trouble.

If you recently purchased tires somewhere else, had tires installed, or simply woke up one morning to that lovely little tire-pressure-shaped warning light on your dashboard, give us a call.

We can help diagnose your TPMS system, reprogram sensors when needed, and remove and replace faulty TPMS sensors. You don't have to be an automotive expert. That's our job.

We know dashboard warning lights are annoying. Sometimes you look at them and think, "I'll deal with that later." We get it. But when it comes to tire pressure, it's worth paying attention.

If your TPMS light is on, start by checking your tire pressure according to your vehicle manufacturer's recommended specifications. If your tire pressures are correct and that light is still staring back at you, it may be time to have your TPMS system diagnosed.

And while we may not be the people to sell you your next set of tires, we're happy to be the people who help you figure out what's going on with your TPMS.