Will tire pressure light fail inspection? Usually not. Most inspections allow you to pass if your tires are properly inflated, but a malfunctioning TPMS or low pressure may still cause a failure in some regions.
For each vehicle manufactured today, it’s mandatory to have tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) and it’s for a good reason. These systems track the tire pressure and let you know in case any of the tires are failing to meet the required pressure. They monitor tire pressure and the systems might also malfunction, however in these scenarios the tire pressure warning light either remains on, or illuminates, along with some other warning lights on the dash. Also, can tire pressure light fail inspection?
Well, the reason the light is broken and where you are on a to inspection to order will dictate the answer to that.
In this blog, we will cover tire pressure light, how it affects vehicle inspection, in addition to how you can prepare.
Contents
What is the Tire Pressure Light?
The tire pressure light is, rest assured, a part of the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), so there is no need to worry, and is designed to track each tire’s air pressure determining and maintaining it to the preset values of the manufacturer.
When the light comes on, that equates to saying at least one of your tires has lost air to the point that it would negatively affect the vehicle’s performance, fuel consumption, and safety. Although it could point out a malfunction in the TPMS, a problem elsewhere with the tire pressure could be a possibility as well.
There are two types of TPMS systems, which are:
Direct TPMS: These systems have sensors in each tire to check the air pressure in each tire and send the information to the vehicle’s computer. If the pressure drops to a certain level, it activates the warning light.
Indirect TPMS: This system does not include sensors located in the tires. Rather, it monitors tire rotation using the vehicle’s ABS (Anti-lock Braking System). If one tire spins out of sync, the system assumes that the tire is under-inflated and activates the tire pressure warning light.
Will the Tire Pressure Light Reset on Its Own?
The question is does the tire pressure light resetting on its own will make a vehicle fail inspection. The answer is not as simple and straightforward as one would assume, as it depends on a multitude of factors.
1. What Kind of Inspection Are You Having?
The first issue that should be resolved is the type of inspection you’re going through. In The U.S. There are generally two types of inspection that are pertinent:
Emissions Inspection: Complies with the government’s criterion for the most concern with the vehicle’s emissions system with regard to the surrounding emissions. The emissions TPMS light generally does not affect emissions tests, as emissions and tire pressure are not related.
Safety Inspection: In this inspection, the most vital elements of a vehicle are tested which includes the tires, brakes, and lights. In this particular case, the tire pressure light will likely not be the issue, but in some places, the inspection guidelines are a little different.
2. State or Region Regulations
In the United States, depends on the state or region as for how much the TPMS light impacts vehicle inspection. Consider some examples.
States That Don’t Require TPMS Functionality: Texas, New Jersey, and Florida along with many others do not require the TPMS system to function for inspection. However, tires will still be inspected for condition, tread, and pressure, and if the tire pressure is too low, the inspection will be failed regardless of the TPMS system being active.
States That Require TPMS to Be Functional: Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and Rhode Island are examples of the state which require the TPMS to be completely operational to pass inspection. If the light is on, the system is presumed faulty and the safety inspection will not be passed until the issue is addressed.
Regrettably, some states have made it mandatory to check for warning lights on the TPMS system. Other states have also made it mandatory for the system to be operational. Always, make sure to check with the local inspection authority or the DMV to know the laws for your locality.
3. Do Low Tire Pressure Problems Come With Malfunctions?
The cause of the light matters. What is the light on? These questions will now guide us through the next steps. The following are two possible causes for being illuminated.
Low Tire Pressure: When one or more tires are under-inflated, the warning light is triggered. The light is on due to the safety issue which low tire pressure brings. It does affect handling, braking, and even the efficiency. If the system is triggered due to low pressure, I recommend adding the air before the inspection. Tire inflation requires for more attention and needs to be done more regularly.
A Malfunctioning TPMS Sensor or System: The light would still remain on even after you’ve checked the tire pressure and have inflated the tires to the appropriate levels. The TPMS sensors or system is now indicating a possible malfunction. The malfunction could come from a sensor failure, a broken wiring in the systems, or dead batteries to the sensors. A malfunctioning TPMS could cause the vehicle to fail in regions where functionality is required for passing the inspection.
Sometimes the light could be activated for a sensor mismatch, or the light might be illuminated because the TPMS needs to be reset after a tire has been replaced.
Circumstances Where the Tire Pressure Light May Affect the Inspection
Many places might let you take the vehicle for inspection even if the tire pressure light is on, however, there are still a few circumstances where it could influence the outcome of the inspection.
Situation 1: Tire Pressure is Too Low
In case the tire pressure is too low, you might not be able to pass the inspection no matter the condition of the TPMS light. The light might be indicating that the tires don’t have enough tire pressure, which is a great problem. Tire pressure is one of the most important checks during a safety inspection. If the tires don’t have enough tire pressure, the vehicle will not pass inspection, and you will have to inflate the tires to pass.
Situation 2: Broken TPMS Unit
In the vicinity where the TPMS is considered a safety device, a broken TPMS will cause a vehicle to fail its inspection. This could happen from the sensor being faulty along with a broken sensor wire, or perhaps the TPMS sensor battery needs to be replaced. In these situations, the light will stay on, regardless if the tire inflation is correct. If you live in a region where the TPMS is needed for complete functionality, you will be required to fix or reset the unit to pass the inspection.
Situation 3: Broken Mate TPMS Sensors And Their Batteries
The small batteries used in TPMS sensors typically have a lifecycle of 5-10 years. Once the battery in the tire sensor is dead, the unit can no longer dictate tire pressure, which overly congests the light. Some inspection stations, will fail a vehicle if the TPMS unit is broken, and a dead battery falls under that unit.
How To Avoid Failing Inspection Because of the Tire Pressure Light
In order to avoid any complications concerning the tire pressure light failing you during inspection, here’s what you have to do.
Check Tire Pressure Regularly
You are able to stop tire pressure lights from coming on by checking your tire pressure regularly. Tire pressure should be checked monthly, and before embarking on a long journey, to be sure the pressure remains at the appropriate level which your car manufacturer specifies. If you are not sure what the tire pressure should be you can always refer to the owner’s manual or the placard that sits on the door to the driver’s side.
Check Tire Pressure Immediately
You should stop at a gas station to check tire pressure as soon as you notice the tire pressure light on. Most service stations are equipped with air pumps which you can use to inflate your tires. If after inflating your tires the light is still on, there is some other issue that needs to be resolved.
Diagnose Any Faulty TPMS Sensors
Your tire pressure might be okay but the light is still on. In such cases TPMS sensors might have a fault. In this situation it is best to visit a tire shop or a mechanic’s for sensor verification and replacement. They have the proper tools to reset the system and change any broken parts to ensure that the TPMS light stops glowing.
Remember to reset the TPMS after tire replacement
After changing the tires is it crucial to reset the TPMS system. In most cars it will reset on its own after a short drive. In some other cars the reset after tire replacement needs to be done manually. To find the proper procedure search for the car owner’s manual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs about tire pressure light fail inspection –
1. Will having the TPMS light on during inspections result in an automatic failure?
Does failure on inspections is an automatic punishment in some areas if the TPMS light is on? No. the light will still be on, and the condition/pressure of the tires will still need to be assessed. In the case of having under inflated tires, you may fail for that reason instead.
2. Do you TPMS lights while driving?
To be clear, driving with the TPMS light on is not encouraged and it is prudent to resolve the underlying issue, however, driving under these conditions is acceptable, as you have no reason to believe that the tires are deflated.
3. In what ways can the TPMS light be removed?
The TPMS light can be removed by adjusting the tire pressure to the appropriate levels, and then driving for some distance. If the light remains on, the system may need to be reset from the manually reset and taking out broken sensors.
4. Why is my TPMS light on when my tires are okay?
In case the TPMS light is on but the tires are inflated as they are supposed to be, the problem could be with the sensors or the TPMS system. You may need to go to a mechanic to identify and resolve the problem.
5. Is TPMS light a safety feature?
Yes, there is a direct relationship between the TPMS light and the safety of the car. It is a warning for issues with the amount of air in the tires. And if the tires are low on air, they can result in handling, braking, or in the worst case, performance, so they need to be fixed in a timely manner.
Conclusion
Will tire pressure light fail inspection? In short, it depends on where you are. Different locations will have different inspection rules. Furthermore it will depend on the reason the light is on and the overall condition of the tires. In most cases having an illuminated tire pressure light will not be enough for the inspection to be considered a fail. The real problem, be it a TPMS malfunction or low tire pressure, is what will most likely fail the inspection.
Keeping track of tire pressure and fixing any tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) problems quickly helps to maintain safety and pass any vehicle inspections. Following these guidelines will give any driver peace of mind about their vehicle and the TPMS.
