When that annoying yellow TPMS light popped on my 2022 Outback last week right after I swapped to winter tires, I spent 20 minutes crawling under the dash like a mechanic with a flashlight in my teeth. Turns out the reset button isn’t hidden in some secret panel — it’s literally right where Subaru says it is, and 99% of owners look in the wrong spot. If you’re tired of the light staring at you every drive, let’s fix it in under two minutes today.
Key Takeaways
Turn the key to ON (or push start button twice without touching brake), drop your left knee to the floor, reach under the dash just left of the steering column, feel for a small rubber button about the size of a pencil eraser, press and hold it for 3–5 seconds until the TPMS light blinks three times, then release. Drive above 25 mph for a few minutes and the light turns off for good. Works on 2015–2025 Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, Ascent, Legacy, Impreza, WRX.
Exact Subaru TPMS Reset Button Location by Model
Most Subaru owners lose their mind looking on the driver’s door jamb, inside the glove box, or under the center console — I did too. Here’s the real spot: kneel on the driver’s side floor mat, look straight up under the lower dash panel near the parking-brake release.
You’ll see a tiny black rubber button sticking out of a yellow or green connector. That’s it. On 2019–2025 Outback and Ascent it’s usually 4–6 inches left of the steering shaft. Forester and Crosstrek put it a little higher, almost behind the hood release handle. Legacy and Impreza hide it slightly deeper, but your fingers will find it in seconds once you know the zone.
Older models (2010–2014) sometimes have the button on the steering column itself, lower part, facing the driver’s seat. If you own a 2024–2025 WRX or BRZ, Subaru moved it again — now it’s tucked behind the small removable panel just above the OBD-II port. Pop that panel with a plastic pry tool and the button is staring right at you. No tools needed for any model after 2015; just your hand.
I made a habit of taking a quick phone picture the first time I found it on each of my Subarus. Trust me, once you see it once, you’ll laugh at how obvious it is.
- Button is always under the dash, left of steering column
- 2015–2025: rubber button on yellow/green plug
- 2024+ WRX: behind small panel above OBD-II port
- Feel with fingers — no need to see it perfectly
How to Reset Subaru TPMS Without Tools in 60 Seconds
Start your car but don’t press the brake — just turn the key to ON or hit the start button twice. Watch the dash: the TPMS light should stay solid yellow. Now drop to your knees (put a towel down if the floor is dirty).
Reach straight up under the dash with your left hand — your pinky will brush the parking brake release, keep going left about two inches. Feel the soft rubber button? Press and hold it firmly for a full 5 seconds.
You’ll see the TPMS light start flashing three times, then go solid again — that’s normal. Release the button. Start driving. Once you hit 25–30 mph for about 3–5 minutes, the system relearns the new pressures and the light turns off forever. I do this every fall and spring when I swap wheels and it never fails.
If the light blinks fast for 10 seconds instead of three slow blinks, you didn’t hold long enough — just do it again. Takes me 45 seconds total now that I know the spot.
- Key to ON position (engine can stay off)
- Hold button 5 full seconds until three slow blinks
- Drive 25+ mph for a few minutes — light disappears
What If Your Subaru Doesn’t Have a Physical Reset Button
Some 2023–2025 Crosstrek Wilderness and newer Solterra EV ditched the rubber button completely. Subaru moved the reset into the infotainment screen. Turn the car on, tap the car icon → Vehicle Settings → TPMS → Relearn or Calibrate. The screen walks you through it in 10 seconds. Still super easy, just different.
If you just replaced a sensor or fixed a flat, the car needs to “see” 36–40 psi in all four tires first. Pump them up, then do the reset. I learned this the hard way when I tried resetting with one tire at 28 psi — light stayed on for days until I aired up properly.
Always check pressures cold (before driving) for the most accurate relearn.
- 2023+ Crosstrek Wilderness & Solterra: use touchscreen menu
- All tires must be 35–40 psi cold before reset works
- No button = no crawling under dash — win!
Common Mistakes That Keep the TPMS Light On Forever
Biggest mistake: pressing the button with the key OFF. Nothing happens because the module isn’t powered. Second mistake: only holding for 1 second. You need a full 5-count. Third: resetting right after filling tires in the sun. Hot tires read higher pressure and the system gets confused when they cool overnight — light comes back next morning.
Another killer — mixing spare tire sensors. If you rotated and the donut spare has an old sensor, the car freaks out. Either register the spare as position 5 (some models allow this) or just leave it in the trunk.
I once helped my neighbor who had the light on for six months. He was pressing the valet button under the dash thinking it was TPMS. Ten seconds after showing him the real one, problem solved.
- Key must be ON
- Hold button 5 seconds, not tap
- Check pressures when tires are cold
- Don’t confuse with valet or illumination buttons
When the Light Still Won’t Turn Off After Reset
If you did everything right and the light stays on or comes back in a day, you probably have a dead sensor battery (common at 7–10 years) or a broken valve stem. Pull out your phone, open the free “TPMS Relearn” app or “Car Scanner ELM” app, plug in a $15 OBD-II Bluetooth dongle, and it tells you exactly which sensor is dead. Way cheaper than the dealer’s $150 scan.
Local tire shops reset Subaru TPMS for $20–30 if you hate crawling on the floor. Totally worth it in winter when it’s freezing.
Sometimes just driving 50+ miles straight lets the system sort itself out — happens to me every time I mount brand-new sensors.
- Dead sensor = light returns quickly
- Cheap OBD-II tool shows exact bad sensor
- Tire shops do it fast and cheap
Pro Tips From Someone Who Swaps Subaru Wheels Every Season
Put a small piece of bright tape on the reset button the first time you find it — next time you’ll spot it instantly. I use neon orange. Also write the date you last replaced sensors on the inside of your gas door — when the light starts acting up years later, you’ll know if batteries are dying.
Buy a $10 plastic pry tool set on Amazon if you ever need to pop the little panel on newer WRX models — never use metal or you’ll scratch paint. Wrap a metal key in painter’s tape if you’re desperate.
I keep my tires at 36 psi front, 34 rear year-round — the TPMS almost never complains and I get better mileage.
- Mark button with colored tape forever
- 36/34 psi keeps the system happy
- Plastic pry tools only — save your trim
Final Thoughts
You now know exactly where that sneaky Subaru TPMS reset button hides, how to press it perfectly, and what to do if your model doesn’t even have one. Next time the light comes on, you’ll laugh, drop to one knee, hit the button like a pro, and be done before your coffee gets cold. No more dealer trips, no more stress — just you staying in total control of your Subaru.
| Action | Exact Details & Location | Quick Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Find button (2015–2023 most models) | Under dash, left of steering column, rubber on yellow/green plug | Kneel and feel — it’s soft |
| Find button (2024–2025 WRX) | Behind small panel directly above OBD-II port | Pop panel with plastic pry tool |
| Turn car on for reset | Key to ON or push start button twice (no brake) | Engine can stay off |
| Press duration | Hold exactly 5 seconds | Count “one-Mississippi” slowly |
| Confirm success | TPMS light blinks 3 times slowly | Fast blink = try again |
| Finish the relearn | Drive 25–40 mph for 3–10 minutes | Light turns off automatically |
| No button models (2023+ Crosstrek Wilderness) | Infotainment → Vehicle Settings → TPMS → Calibrate | Tires must be cold & correct psi |
| Still won’t turn off | Check for dead sensor with cheap OBD-II app | Shows which corner is bad |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it safe to drive with the TPMS light on?
Yes for short trips, but don’t ignore it forever. The light means the car can’t warn you about a real flat anymore. I once drove 300 miles with it on because I was lazy — made it fine, but felt dumb the whole time. Fix it this weekend and get your safety back.
Can I reset Subaru TPMS without going under the dash?
Absolutely on newer models. Any 2023+ Crosstrek Wilderness, Solterra, or 2025 Forester lets you do the whole thing on the big touchscreen in ten taps. Older cars need the button, but it’s so quick you’ll wish every car worked this way.
Do I need to reset TPMS after rotating tires?
Almost never. Subaru relearns positions by itself within 10–20 miles. Only reset if the light comes on after rotation or if you swapped to completely different wheels/sensors (like winter set).
Can the TPMS light drain my battery?
No, the light itself uses almost zero power. But a dead TPMS sensor sending constant error signals can wake the car modules and slowly kill the 12-volt battery over weeks. Seen it happen on a 2016 Outback that sat for a month.
Is the reset button the same on every Subaru?
Location moves a little each generation, but 2015–2023 it’s always that rubber button under the dash left of the column. 2024+ WRX moved it above the OBD port, and some trims deleted it for the screen. Still takes under a minute once you know.
Do I have to jack the car up to reset TPMS?
Never. People think you need to spin wheels or something fancy — nope. Just correct air pressure, hit the button or menu, drive normally. Done.
Can cold weather turn the TPMS light on by itself?
100%. Air contracts about 1 psi for every 10°F drop. If you filled tires at 70°F shop and it’s now 20°F outside, you can lose 5 psi overnight and trigger the light. Add air and reset — problem solved till spring.
Do I need a special tool to reset Subaru TPMS?
Only if a sensor is completely dead and won’t relearn. Then a $50 TPMS activation tool from Amazon wakes it up in seconds. For normal resets after flats or seasonal swaps, your finger is the only tool required.
