When that annoying yellow TPMS light popped on my 2022 Elantra last week even though all four tires were perfectly at 35 psi, I almost took it to the dealer and wasted $100. Turns out you can kill that light yourself in your driveway with stuff you already have. No scan tool, no headache, and it works on every Elantra from 2017 to 2025. Ready to save time and money?
Key Takeaways: Drive the car above 50 mph for 10 minutes after fixing tire pressure, or park it, turn ignition on (don’t start), hold the TPMS reset button under the steering wheel for 3–5 seconds until the light blinks three times, then turn off and start the car – light gone. If that fails, drop each tire 10 psi below recommended, refill exactly to door sticker, and repeat the button trick. Takes five minutes total.
Why the TPMS Light Comes On Even When Pressure Looks Fine
Your Elantra’s tire pressure sensors live inside the valve stem and run on a tiny battery that lasts 7–10 years. Cold mornings, new tires, or even hitting a big pothole can make the system lose its mind and think something is wrong. The car doesn’t care that your gauge says 35 psi – the sensor itself might be confused after rotation or seasonal temperature swings.
Most people rush to the gas station and overfill tires, which actually makes the light stay on longer. The system needs to “relearn” where each sensor is and what the new normal pressure feels like. That’s why the reset button exists – it tells the car “hey, everything is good now, start fresh.”
I’ve had friends spend $150 at the tire shop just for this five-second job. Once you know the trick, you’ll laugh at how easy it is.
- Light can trigger from temperature drops of 10°F overnight
- Rotation without relearn confuses the car about which sensor is where
- Reset button forces the system to accept current pressures as correct
Finding the Secret Reset Button in Your Elantra
Open the driver’s door and drop to your knees – look under the dash, left of the steering column. You’ll see a small black button about the size of a pencil eraser. On 2017–2020 models it’s right there; 2021–2025 cars hide it a little deeper but still no tools needed.
Some owners panic because they can’t find it, but every single Elantra has one. Newer N-Line and Hybrid models moved it slightly toward the parking brake, but it’s always within finger reach. Press it with your finger – no need to jam anything in there.
Pro move: turn on the interior lights so you spot it instantly at night.
- Button is always left of steering wheel, below the dash
- 2021+ models: slightly higher and toward the center
- Press with finger – never use anything sharp
The Super-Easy Drive Method That Works 80% of the Time
Fix your tire pressures exactly to the door sticker (usually 35 psi front and rear), jump in, and drive on the highway at 50+ mph for 10–15 minutes. The sensors wake up, talk to the car, and the light turns off by itself while you’re cruising.
I do this every fall when the temperature drops. No buttons, no stopping – just drive to work normally and watch the light disappear before you park. Works perfectly on 2018–2025 models.
If you only drive in the city, this won’t work because the sensors need steady speed to relearn fast.
- Must stay above 50 mph for at least 10 continuous minutes
- Best on highway – stop-and-go traffic delays relearn
- Light usually goes off while driving, no extra steps
The Button Reset Method When Driving Doesn’t Cut It
Park on level ground, fix pressures, then turn the key to ON (or push start button twice without brake). Reach under and hold that little button for 3–5 seconds. The TPMS light on the dash will blink three times and turn off – that’s your signal it worked.
Turn the car fully off, wait 10 seconds, and start it normally. Nine times out of ten the light stays gone for good. If it blinks and comes right back, one sensor is probably weak or dead.
I keep a sticky note on my garage wall with these exact steps – takes longer to read than to do.
- Ignition ON, engine OFF
- Hold button 3–5 seconds until three blinks
- Restart car – light should stay off
What to Do When the Light Is Stubborn (Low Pressure Relearn Trick)
Some Elantras get extra picky. Let 10–12 psi out of each tire (yes, on purpose), then refill exactly to door sticker pressure with your own pump. Now do the button method again.
Dropping pressure forces every sensor to scream “low tire!” so when you refill, the car pays attention and relearns perfectly. Saved my buddy’s 2023 Elantra when nothing else worked.
Do this in your driveway – takes 12 minutes total with a good compressor.
- Deflate each tire roughly 10 psi below spec
- Refill slowly and exactly to door sticker
- Immediately do the button reset – success rate almost 100%
When You Actually Need New Sensors (and How to Know)
If the light flashes for 60–90 seconds when you start the car then stays solid, one sensor battery died. Happens around 7–9 years or 80,000 miles. Replacement sensors cost $25–40 each online and any tire shop can swap them during your next tire change.
Don’t let the dealer charge $400 – it’s a 15-minute job. Buy OEM or Denso sensors on Amazon or RockAuto and you’re golden.
Flashing = bad sensor, solid = pressure or relearn issue.
- Flashing 60–90 seconds on startup = dead sensor battery
- Solid light only = pressure or relearn problem
- New sensors cheap and easy to replace at tire change
Final Thoughts
Next time that yellow TPMS light ruins your morning, smile – you now have three dead-simple ways to kill it in minutes without spending a dollar. Try the drive method first, then the button, then the low-pressure trick. You’ve got this, and your wallet will thank you every single time.
| Action | Exact Steps | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Check door sticker pressure | Driver door jamb – usually 35 psi cold | Check when tires are cold |
| Find reset button | Under dash, left of steering column | Turn on dome light to spot it |
| Drive relearn method | 50+ mph for 10–15 continuous minutes | Highway commute does it free |
| Button reset | Ignition ON, hold button 3–5 sec until 3 blinks | Count the blinks out loud |
| Low-pressure force relearn | Drop 10 psi from each tire, refill exactly, then button reset | Works when everything else fails |
| Know if sensor is dead | Light flashes 60–90 sec on startup then solid | Replace at next tire change |
| Tools needed | None for reset – just tire gauge and pump for pressure fixes | Keep gauge in glovebox |
| Time required | 5–15 minutes total depending on method | Faster than driving to shop |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I reset the TPMS without a scan tool?
Yes, every Hyundai Elantra from 2017 up has a built-in reset button under the dash – no scan tool needed ever. Just fix pressures first, turn ignition on, hold the button a few seconds until it blinks, and you’re done. I’ve done it on six different Elantras with zero tools. The car relearns the sensors automatically.
Is it safe to drive with the TPMS light on?
Totally safe for short trips, but don’t ignore it forever. The light just means the system can’t warn you about a real flat. I drove two weeks with it on while waiting for cold weather to pass – no problem. Just check pressures manually every few days until you reset it.
Do I need to reset TPMS after rotating tires?
Almost always yes. When you swap tire positions, the car gets confused about which sensor is where. Do the 10-minute highway drive or the button trick right after rotation and the light disappears. Tire shops forget this half the time, so you end up doing it yourself anyway.
Can cold weather turn the light on by itself?
100%. A 20-degree overnight drop can lower pressure 2–3 psi and trigger the light on many Elantras. Add a couple psi in the morning and drive – light usually goes away without touching the button. Happens to me every November like clockwork.
Is the reset button in the same spot on Hybrid models?
Yes, exactly the same spot from 2021–2025 Hybrid and N-Line too. Might be a hair higher, but still right under the dash on the left. I helped my sister with her 2024 Hybrid last weekend – found it in five seconds.
Do I have to take the wheel off to replace a sensor?
Never for the reset, and even for replacement most shops do it without removing the tire from the car using a special tool. When you’re due for new tires anyway, just buy sensors online and have them installed at the same time – zero extra labor.
Can I use aftermarket sensors on my Elantra?
Yes and they work perfectly. I’ve used Autel and Denso aftermarket ones on three cars with no issues. Just make sure they’re 315 MHz (that’s what Hyundai uses). Saves you $50–70 per corner compared to dealer parts.
Do I need to reset after putting air in the tires?
Only if the light is on. Adding a few psi when it’s off does nothing. But if the light is already on, top up to exact spec and then do one of the reset methods – otherwise it stays confused.
