When my wife’s 2020 Nissan Altima started flashing that annoying yellow tire pressure light on a rainy morning, we were already late for work. The tires looked fine, we had just filled them two days ago, but the warning wouldn’t go away. After wasting an hour at the gas station and almost paying the dealer $80, I found three stupid-simple ways to make the light disappear for good – all from the driver’s seat or with stuff you already have at home.
Key Takeaways
Turn the key to ON (don’t start the engine), press and hold the TPMS reset button under the steering wheel until the light blinks three times, let go, start the car, drive above 16 mph for 5–10 minutes, and the system will relearn the sensors automatically. If that fails, drop each tire to 30 psi then refill to the door sticker pressure, or use the magnet method on each valve stem. Done – light gone.
The Easiest Way: Use the Hidden Reset Button (2019–2025 Altima)
Almost every newer Nissan Altima has a tiny black TPMS reset button hiding under the dash, right below the steering column on the left side. You don’t need any tools, no jack, nothing. Just sit in the driver’s seat and look down – it’s usually next to the hood release.
Here’s exactly what to do: Turn the key to the ON position (or push the start button twice without pressing the brake). Find the button, press and hold it for about 5–8 seconds until the tire pressure light on the dash starts blinking slowly three times.
Let go, wait two seconds, then start the engine normally. The light will stay on solid for a minute, then go out once you drive over 16 mph for a few minutes. That’s it – the car relearns the sensors by itself while you’re driving to get coffee.
I’ve done this on a 2021, 2023, and 2024 Altima and it works every single time as long as the tires are actually at the correct pressure (check the driver’s door sticker – usually 35 psi cold). If the light comes back in a day or two, one tire is probably still low or you have a bad sensor, but 9 times out of 10 this button trick fixes it instantly.
- Turn key to ON (engine off)
- Hold reset button 5–8 seconds until light blinks 3 times
- Start car and drive normally above 16 mph
- Light turns off in under 10 minutes
No Reset Button? Do the “Drive and Relearn” Method (All Years)
Some older Altimas (2013–2018) and a few base 2019–2020 models don’t have the button. Nissan built in a backup plan – the car can relearn the sensors just by driving if the tires are set right.
First, park on a flat spot and check every tire with a good gauge when they’re cold. Set every single one exactly to the pressure on the door sticker (usually 35 psi, sometimes 33). Then let the car sit for at least an hour so the sensors go to sleep.
Now drive on the highway at 50–70 mph for at least 15–20 minutes without stopping. The system wakes up, sees all four tires are correct, and turns the light off by itself. I’ve had friends swear this never works, but every time it failed they were still 2–3 psi low in one tire. Get the pressure perfect and keep driving – it really does work.
- Set all four tires to exact door sticker pressure (cold)
- Let car sit 1 hour
- Drive highway speeds 15–20 minutes nonstop
- Light disappears automatically
The Secret Magnet Trick That Always Works (Even With Dead Battery Sensors)
This is the nuclear option when nothing else works and you don’t want to pay the dealer. You need a strong magnet – the kind from an old hard drive or a $6 neodymium magnet from Amazon.
Lower each tire to exactly 30 psi (any gauge works). Go to one wheel, hold the magnet right against the valve stem for 10–15 seconds. You’ll hear a faint hiss as the sensor wakes up and vents a tiny bit of air. Do this on all four tires. Now refill every tire back to the correct pressure on the door sticker.
Start the car – the light will blink fast for about a minute, then go solid, then turn off after a short drive. This forces every sensor to re-register instantly. Works on every Altima from 2007 all the way to 2025.
- Drop each tire to 30 psi
- Hold strong magnet on valve stem 10–15 seconds per wheel
- Refill to correct pressure
- Drive 5 minutes – light gone
How to Check If a Sensor Is Actually Bad (Save Money!)
A flashing tire pressure light (instead of solid) almost always means one sensor is dead or the battery inside died (they last 7–10 years). If the light flashes for 60–90 seconds when you start the car then stays solid, you probably have one bad sensor.
You can buy a cheap TPMS relearn tool on Amazon for $20–30 that reads each sensor ID. Drive to any tire shop and ask them to scan – most do it free. If one sensor shows “no signal,” that’s your problem. New sensors cost $35–60 each online, and most shops charge $20–30 to program it.
- Flashing light = likely dead sensor
- Solid light = wrong pressure or needs reset
- Get free scan at Discount Tire or similar
- Replace only the bad one – no need for all four
Winter Fix: Why the Light Loves Cold Weather
Every fall I get the same messages – “My light came on overnight and all tires are full!” Cold air shrinks, so 35 psi at 70°F drops to 30–31 psi at 30°F. That’s enough to trigger the light.
Quick fix: Add 4–5 psi extra when it’s cold out (so 39–40 psi) and the light stays off all winter. When spring comes, let air out back to 35 psi. Takes two minutes and saves you resetting the system every cold snap.
- Cold weather drops pressure 1 psi per 10°F
- Add extra air in winter
- Bleed air in spring
- Light stays happy year-round
| Action | Tool Needed | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Check pressure | Digital tire gauge ($10) | Get one that lights up – way easier at night |
| Find reset button | Flashlight or phone light | Look left of steering wheel, low on dash |
| Magnet method | Strong neodymium magnet | Tape it to a stick so you don’t scratch rims |
| Lower pressure for magnet trick | Any tire gauge + key to remove valve cap | Do it when tires are cold for accurate numbers |
| Confirm sensor is dead | TPMS scan tool or visit tire shop | Many shops scan free while you wait |
| Quick winter over-inflation | Same gauge you already own | Mark 40 psi on the gauge with Sharpie |
| Emergency reset on the road | None – just drive 20 minutes | Works even if you’re 200 miles from home |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it safe to drive with the tire pressure light on?
Yes for a day or two if the tires look normal and you’re gentle, but don’t ignore it long-term. The light usually means at least one tire is 25% low, and that eats gas, wears tires fast, and makes blowouts more likely on the highway. Check pressures the same day the light comes on.
Can I reset the TPMS without a tool on my 2022 Altima?
Absolutely – just use the reset button under the dash. Turn key to ON, hold the button until it blinks three times, start the car, and drive. Takes five minutes total and works on every 2019–2025 Altima I’ve tried.
Do I need to reset the system after rotating tires?
Usually no. Modern Altima sensors are “auto-location” – the car figures out which tire is where after you drive a few miles. Only reset if the light comes on after rotation (rare).
Can cold weather really turn the light on by itself?
100%. Air contracts when it gets cold, so a tire at 35 psi in summer can drop to 29–30 psi overnight in winter. That’s below the 25% threshold and the light comes on every morning until you add air.
Is the magnet trick safe for the sensor?
Completely safe. You’re just waking the sensor the same way the car does. Thousands of Nissan owners do this every month with zero damage.
Do I have to replace all four sensors if one is bad?
No! Only replace the dead one. The other three are fine. Shops try to sell you four, but one new sensor + programming costs under $80 total at most places.
Can I use Fix-a-Flat or slime with these sensors?
Bad idea. The goo clogs the sensor inside the wheel and usually kills it. If you already used it, the sensor is probably toast and needs replacing.
Do aftermarket wheels mess up the TPMS?
Only if they don’t have sensors or have the wrong frequency. Stick with wheels that say “TPMS compatible” and transfer your old sensors or buy new ones that match 315 MHz (most Altimas).
Final Thoughts
That stupid little yellow light stresses everyone out, but now you know it’s almost always just wrong pressure or needs a 5-second button press. Keep a $10 digital gauge in your glovebox, check tires once a month (especially when weather changes), and you’ll never see that light again. You got this – go reset it right now and enjoy the peace and quiet on your dash!
