If the Tire Pressure Management System in the Subaru Forester is not working properly, you may have to reset the system. Follow one of the Options below to re-initialize the TPMS.
The light indicator is a notification to warn you of significantly low air pressure or high-pressure loss in your tires and is NOT to be ignored, as low pressure affects the vehicles overall performance such as:Â
- How the vehicle drives.Â
- Increases the need for fuel.Â
- Tire failure.Â
First, Check the Recommended Air Levels Needed:Â
- Refer to the Manufacturer’s Sticker located on the inside of the Driver’s door. Â
- Fill each tire to the recommended PSI/air pressure.Â
NOTE: If you are unable to Reset the Tire Pressure Warning Light on the first try, REPEAT the steps. If you are still unsuccessful, contact the dealership for assistance or consult your vehicle user’s manual.
Contents
2002 – 2023Â Models
Option 1
- Locate the TPMS reset button below the steering wheel near the hood release lever.
- Turn the ignition key to the “ON” position without starting the engine.
- Press and hold the TPMS reset button for a few seconds until the TPMS light on the instrument cluster blinks.
- Release the TPMS reset button.
- Drive the vehicle at speeds above 20 mph for approximately 10 minutes. This allows the TPMS system to recalibrate.
Option 2
 - With your vehicle in the ON position without starting the engine.Â
- Scroll the MENU with the UP or DOWN arrows until SET is highlighted.
- Pull and hold the SET button located on the steering wheel in the center (see image). Until you see the MAINTENANCE Menu, then select it.
- You will now see four options: Engine Oil, Oil Filter, Tires, and Maintenance Schedule. Select TIRES.
- Then press SET.
- Drive for 20 minutes, and the light should go OFF.Â
1997 – 2001 Models
Subaru Forester models manufactured between 1997 and 2001 do not have a built-in tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Therefore, there is no specific procedure to reset the tire pressure system.
FAQS
What if the light doesn’t turn off?
If the TPMS light doesn’t turn off immediately, remember that the outdoor temperature affects how fast the air in the tires will adjust to the proper temperature. If the tire pressure warning light stays illuminated past a week, have your vehicle serviced, as there could be a sensor issue or a tire puncture.
Thanks for the info! However, I have an old version of forester which does not have the MENU as shown , how can I locate and fix the TPMS light problem ?
This is not for 2019 Forester
What if the pressure is too high? Does the sensor report this too?
If your Tire light does not reset be ready to pay out for a new Keyless module or tire sensors and than have other issues coming next.
All of these TPMS reset instructions for Subaru Foresters before 2018 are BOGUS. There is no TPMS reset in the manual, and it’s not on the menu. It requires a TPMS reset unit that can a) read the tire sensors and b) connect to the OBD2 port to put the values into the car’s system. Anyone who tells you to look at the menu is just plain wrong.
Option #2 does not apply to the 2018 Forester Base Model*, which does not have the Info Button Panel attached to the Steering Wheel. If it were not required by law, I would assume this variant of the Forester model doesn’t have a TPMS, since little in the manual aligns with it. I’ve had low pressure issues (cold weather dips) that were identified by my add-on TPMS Display & Sensors, that monitors my Forester (as a towed vehicle) and motorhome (as the towing vehicle), but were not detected by the Forester’s TPMS. This may have been because the vehicle was stationary.
* The Base Model, with a Manual Transmission, is the only Forester variant that’s able to be flat-towed behind a motorhome (or other tow vehicle), with the addition of a Base Plate, Braking System, Lighting Interface, and a Charging Circuit to the Battery.
After disconnecting the car’s battery to replace it with a new one, the TPMS light came on after I started the car. Checked all of the snow tires which had just been put on the beginning of November at my Tire Shop and the PSI was perfect. Disconnecting the car’s battery should not cause this problem and it should automatically reset after putting the new battery in. I have found no solution other than driving to the tire shop and having them reset it and I am not going to waste anymore of my time (putting a piece of black electrical tape over the warning light until next May when my snow tires get swapped out). TPMS is a worthless piece of continuous cost and maintenance.