The tyre pressure warning light stays on, even when your tyres are perfectly inflated. This is a common complaint with the Nissan Leaf. The tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) quickly detects pressure loss and regularly asks for a reset, which many owners find frustrating. In addition, low tyre pressure is a direct safety risk and reduces your driving range. Read on to understand why this happens and how to fix it.
How the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) works in the Nissan Leaf
The tyre pressure monitoring system keeps an eye on the pressure of all four wheels. As soon as the pressure becomes too low, a warning light appears on your dashboard. The system also shows which wheel has the problem on the vehicle display. This helps you take quick action before damage occurs.
The light stays on until you inflate the tyres to the recommended cold pressure and drive faster than 25 kilometres per hour. You can find the recommended pressure on the sticker on the inside of the driver’s door. For most Nissan Leaf models this value is around 36 PSI for all four tyres.
‘ The tyre pressure sensors (TPMS sensors) contain batteries that run flat after five to ten years. ’
Why the warning light keeps coming on
Many owners find that the light stays on even after inflating the tyres. This often points to a faulty sensor. The tyre pressure sensors (TPMS sensors) contain batteries that run flat after five to ten years. A single failing sensor can trigger a general warning for all tyres, making it difficult to determine which sensor is causing the problem.
Another cause can be interference. Snow chains, snow on the wheels or metal film on the windows can disturb the TPMS sensors. This leads to false warnings, which disappear as soon as you remove the disturbing factors.
Rapid loss of tyre pressure in electric cars
With the Nissan Leaf, tyre pressure loss sometimes seems to occur more quickly than with cars with a combustion engine. This is because electric cars are heavier due to the battery pack. The extra weight puts more stress on the tyres, which makes small leaks noticeable more quickly.
Tyre pressure directly affects your driving range as well. Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance, so your battery has to work harder. As a result, your range can decrease by five to ten per cent. Regular checks are therefore important not only for safety, but also for your wallet.
How to reset the TPMS system
After inflating or replacing your tyres, you need to reset the system manually. For Leaf models from 2013 to 2020, do this as follows:
- Turn the ignition to position 2. Do not start the car.
- Use the steering wheel buttons to navigate to Menu and then to Settings
- Select TPMS and choose TPMS Reset
- Confirm several times with Yes
- Take a short drive. Drive faster than 25 kilometres per hour.
If the tyre pressure is correct, the light will go out after this procedure. If the light stays on, you may have a faulty sensor that needs to be replaced.
‘ Replacing a sensor costs around 280 euros including reprogramming at a garage. ’
Detecting and replacing faulty sensors
If the light stays on despite correct tyre pressure and a reset, there is a good chance that a sensor is faulty. You can check sensor values with a diagnostic scanner (OBD-II scanner) or an app such as Leaf Spy. These tools show which sensor is no longer transmitting a signal.
Replacing a sensor costs around 280 euros, including reprogramming, at a garage. When buying new sensors, make sure they are compatible with your Leaf model. Some owners opt for universal sensors, but these often require additional programming.
What to do if you get TPMS warnings while driving
If you get a warning while driving, pull over at the first safe opportunity. Visually check whether a tyre is clearly flat. Use a tyre pressure gauge to measure the exact pressure. If necessary, inflate the tyre to the recommended value.
Never continue driving with underinflated tyres. This can lead to permanent tyre damage, increased energy consumption and a higher risk of aquaplaning in wet weather. With electric cars such as the Leaf this is even more important, because your range decreases immediately.
Practical tips for Nissan Leaf owners
Check your tyre pressure monthly when the tyres are cold. This means you should measure before you drive, or at least three hours after your last journey. Temperature fluctuations affect the pressure. Adjust the tyre pressure when the weather changes. In winter, an increase of 0.2 to 0.3 bar may be necessary.
Bear in mind the service life of TPMS sensors. For cars older than ten years, replacement is often necessary. Plan this proactively to avoid unpleasant surprises. When switching between summer and winter tyres, make sure both sets are fitted with working sensors.
Remove snow from your wheels in winter to prevent false warnings. Also avoid using snow chains unless strictly necessary, as these can interfere with the sensors.
‘ This risk is too great to ignore, especially with children on board or on long journeys. ’
The relationship between tyre pressure and safety
Tyre pressure that is too low increases the risk of accidents. In sudden manoeuvres or emergency stops, underinflated tyres respond less predictably. Braking distances become longer and stability is reduced, especially at higher speeds.
In collisions, underinflated tyres can make the difference between a minor bump and a serious accident. The tyre can buckle or come away from the rim, leading to loss of control. This risk is too great to ignore, especially with children on board or on long journeys.
Summary of common problems
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
| Light flashing | Sensor battery flat | Check with scanner and replace sensor |
| Warning after repair | System not reset | Follow the reset procedure |
| No TPMS reading | System missing on older models | Measure manually with pressure gauge |
When to go to the garage
You can solve some problems yourself, but there are situations in which you need professional help. Go to a garage if the warning keeps coming back after several resets. This indicates a structural problem with a sensor or with the system itself.
If you experience rapid tyre pressure loss without an obvious cause, you should also have it checked. There may be a small leak in the tyre or valve that you cannot detect yourself. A garage has the equipment to test this accurately.
On the Carnews website you can find a lot more information about maintaining electric cars, common problems with different models and practical tips to keep your car in top condition. Discover which other Nissan Leaf problems you can prevent and how to extend the life of your battery.
Frequently asked questions
The TPMS system in a Nissan Leaf uses sensors in each wheel to continuously measure tyre pressure and shows a warning for each individual wheel on the display if the pressure is too low. The warning light stays on until all tyres have been brought to the prescribed cold pressure and the car has been driven at around 25 km/h or more. In an electric car like the Leaf, correct tyre pressure is especially important because underinflation not only affects safety and tyre wear, but can also reduce driving range by several per cent. Faults often occur due to flat sensor batteries after several years, snow or chains, and can usually be resolved with a TPMS reset in the settings menu or by replacing sensors.
Common TPMS problems with the Nissan Leaf include a warning light that stays on or flashes due to low tyre pressure, a system that has not been reset after a tyre change or repair, and faulty sensors caused by flat batteries after a few years. Always check tyre pressure first (cold, according to the sticker in the door, often around 36 PSI) and adjust it; after any work you can perform a reset via the menu (Settings > TPMS > TPMS Reset) and drive a short distance until the light goes out. If the light continues to flash or returns despite correct pressure and a reset, use an OBD-II scanner or Leaf Spy to check which sensor is not sending a signal and replace it. In winter, watch out for snow around the wheels and the use of chains, as these can cause temporary error messages.
Correct tyre pressure, monitored by TPMS, reduces rolling resistance, allowing the driving range of your Nissan Leaf to increase by around 5–10%. Well-inflated tyres wear more evenly and more slowly, which significantly extends their service life. TPMS helps you respond quickly to pressure loss and thus prevent both excessive wear and unnecessary energy consumption.
After a tyre change on a Nissan Leaf, you can first bring all tyres to the prescribed pressure when cold (see the sticker in the door) and then drive at least a few kilometres at around 25 km/h or more so that the system can relearn. On many Leaf models (approx. 2013–2020), you can use the steering wheel buttons to go to Menu > Settings > TPMS > TPMS Reset in the vehicle menu and confirm the reset. Check whether the warning light goes out after a short drive; if not, check the tyre pressure again. If the light continues to stay on or flash despite correct pressure and a reset, a sensor is probably faulty and you will need to visit a garage.
Check tyre pressure monthly when the tyres are cold and keep to the value recommended by Nissan (see the sticker in the door pillar). In winter, remove snow and ice from the wheels and avoid snow chains where possible to prevent faults caused by sensor interference. Reset the TPMS via the menu after a tyre change or repair so that the warning light functions correctly. Have older sensors (5–10 years) tested preventively and replaced if necessary, as flat batteries are a common cause of faults.