Today I came across one interesting RAV4 forum post in which, the discussion starter was asking how to locate the TPMS button after he changed the tires on his wife's 2016 Toyota RAV.
User Imacmil, writes,
Getting new tires for my wife's 2016 Hybrid Limited this week. (FWIW, the OEM Bridgestone Ecopias have been fine. Still have about 5/32" tread after 50K miles but want new tires for the winter.) Typically new tires require a reset of the TPMS system but I don't know how to do it. There's no button below the dash like the manual shows. There's nothing in the vehicle settings menu like some Youtube videos show. My web searches have revealed zilch. How does one reset the TPMS system?
He, of course eventually found it, and wrote, "It's under the dash but not labeled and hard to see unless you're on the floor."
TPMS sensor is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. It typically relies on wheel speed sensors that the anti-lock brake system uses. These sensors measure the rate of revolution each wheel is making.
Whether you have a 2016 Toyota RAV4 or a newer model, on most Toyota RAV4 models, the reset button for the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is located below the steering wheel, often near the hood release lever. Look for a small button labeled “Set” or “Reset.” Turn on the ignition.
By the way, don't miss these big updates, that came to the 2023 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid models.
Pro tip: For extra peace of mind, inflate all your tires to the recommended pressure before starting the reset. This ensures the system picks up the new readings accurately.
And there you have it! Your TPMS should be happily learning about its new rubber friends. If the light doesn't go out after a short drive, double-check your tire pressures and make sure none of the sensors got jostled during the tire change.
Remember, fellow RAV4 owners, knowledge is power, especially when it comes to these quirky little features. Share the secret handshake, spread the word, and let's keep our RAV4s happy and safe!
P.S. Those Bridgestone Ecopias deserve props for lasting 50k miles! Good choice for the summer, but switching to dedicated winter tires is definitely the smart move for those snowy stretches. Stay safe out there!
Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.