In modern vehicles, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ensures that all the tires are inflated to the recommended pressure. This allows the car to run optimally, using up the least amount of fuel possible and reducing wheel deterioration.
Your Sonata’s TPMS system has an alert light (horseshoe with an exclamation mark) that warns you when a tire is under- or over-inflated. In those cases, you will need to know how to properly reset the system. Here’s what you’ll need to know.
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What to Do Before Resetting TPMS in Hyundai Sonata
Cars use one of two TPMS systems available on the market: direct and indirect.
The direct system is most commonly used in the U.S. Each wheel will have a tire pressure sensor, usually on the rim or as a built-in part of the pressure valve. The sensors continuously report the tire pressure to the car’s onboard computer.
In the indirect system, the car’s computer will calculate how often the wheels spin to determine the pressure of the tires. This is due under- or over-inflated tires rotating faster or slower due to a changed wheel diameter. However, indirect systems are more often used on European vehicles, so you’re unlikely to encounter them.
Regardless of which system is in place, you need to ensure that the tires are inflated properly, as this is one of the most common reasons for the TPMS system alerts. By resetting the TPMS system, you’re telling it to ignore the actual pressure in the tires and set it to the normal level, so any additional changes might trigger it again.
You can find the recommended tire pressure information on a sticker taped to the inside of your car’s door on the driver’s front side. Most commonly, Hyundai uses 35 psi for the main tires and 60 psi for the spares. However, the sticker can also instruct you to change the pressure in extremely cold weather or higher altitudes. You can safely add about 3 psi to the tire pressure if you’re embarking on a longer trip with these conditions.
If you’re inflating the tire while it’s still hot, you will also need to add about 3 psi when filling it. When the tire cools down, the pressure will decrease with it, and the system is built to accommodate internal temperature changes.
How to Reset TPMS on Hyundai Sonata
In most cases, the TPMS system should reset itself so long as you have properly inflated the tires. Here’s how:
- Inflate all tires to the recommended tire pressure. You can use the provided tire mobility kit which comes with a pressure pump or use another pump with an accurate pressure gauge.
- Turn on the vehicle.
- The TPMS light should flash for three seconds, then turn off, then turn back on after a minute.
- Drive for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- The TPMS warning light should turn off by itself.
- If your Hyundai has an LCD, you should be able to use the scroll to find the TPMS display which indicates all tire pressures. Alternatively, go to the “Driving Assist” screen and scroll until you find the screen.
- You should be able to see all four tires with the correct tire pressure.
- If the screen reads, “Drive to display,” you may need to drive a bit further.
If driving around doesn’t reset the TPMS system, some cars have a manual override:
- Turn on the vehicle but don’t start the engine.
- Find the TPMS reset button under the steering wheel.
- Press and hold the button until the TPMS alert starts to flash.
- Start the car and drive for 10 to 15 minutes.
- The alert should be removed.
Hyundai Sonata TPMS Alert Won’t Go Away
Even if you’ve followed the recommended tire pressure values and properly reset the system, the TPMS alert might not turn off on its own. Here are some of the most common reasons why that might happen. In most cases, you’ll need to consult a mechanic to properly diagnose these issues and fix them.
Incorrect Tire Pressure Gauge
Your tire pump’s pressure gauge might not display the correct pressure, and you may have inadvertently under- or over-inflated the tires. Use a second tire pump to recheck the pressure or go to a mechanic.
The Spare Tire Is On
The spare tire or wheel typically doesn’t have a pressure sensor so it can’t communicate with the car’s computer. This means that your TPMS will stay on until you replace the spare with the original tire.
The Sensor Is Broken or Incompatible
In some cases, the tire pressure sensor inside the tire might be incompatible with the car. If you purchased new tires and the TPMS alert won’t go away, then the car’s system likely can’t detect new tires properly. In this case, you’ll need to go to a mechanic to override the system or get compatible tires.
If the sensor inside the tire breaks or runs out of battery, consult your car’s manual and a registered service mechanic. In some cases, you may be able to salvage the tire and use a new compatible sensor. In others, you may need to purchase an entirely new tire.
Improper TPMS Tire Pairing
If your tires were recently replaced, check to see if the TPMS system registers them at all. If the new sensors aren’t properly registered with the car’s computer, it won’t receive the signal and will constantly display the TMPS alert.
Resetting Car Systems
If resetting the system automatically doesn’t work, you can reset all computer systems by disconnecting the car battery for a few minutes:
- Loosen up the battery’s cables, with the negative first.
- Turn on the headlights until they drain the remaining charge.
- Reconnect the battery, with the positive first then the negative.
This should be a last resort if none of the other fixes work.