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This unofficial information page is by Joe Spitz to help you understand the tire pressure monitoring system This site is not sponsored or authorized by SoA (Subaru) or any dealership. Contact your local dealer for any repair issues or warranty questions. The Subaru Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) US Government (NHTSA) Safety Regulations require all new 4-wheeled vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less to be equipped with a monitoring system detecting  25% drop in tire pressure by the 2008 model year. The tire pressure monitoring system was required by Congress when it enacted the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act in 2000 TPMS is standard on Outback 2008 and newer: all 2007: all except Basic 2006 LL Bean, VDC, 3.0R sedan 2005 LL Bean, VDC, 3.0R sedan Legacy 2008 and newer: all 2007 GT 2006 GT Tribeca 2008 all 2007 all 2006 all Forester 2008 and newer: all 2007 and before: none Impreza 2008 and newer: all 2007 and before: none  more Note: winter cold weather temperatures may cause the tire pressure to drop so the warning light comes on. This is normal and tire pressure should be checked and corrected seasonally.   Watch for this warning light in the instrument panel.  Steady illumination means a tire is low, it flashes if there's a problem with the system. the sensor goes inside the tire  this was used in all models until 2007. 2007: all with TPMS 2008:  Outback, Legacy 2.5i, SE, GT the valve stem this tire monitor started on 2008 models.  Notice the brass colored threads. 2008: Impreza, Forester, Legacy 3.0R 6 cylinder, GT specB replace valve and stem with every tire change according to schraderservice.com Purchasing a Subaru in the Seattle area? contact This is an unauthorized site. All information and formatting © J Spitz who is solely responsible for content. Always check with your local dealer-mechanic. Unauthorized reproduction, copying or use prohibited you are here: http://www.cars101.com/subaru/tiremonitor.html  V 1.3.08

WHERE? A transmitter with a tire pressure sensor is located inside the each tire's air valve stem. It is designed to detect low pressure only (not high or over-inflated).

The sensor contains a battery. Battery life is 10 years or 100,000 miles. When the battery fails the whole assembly must be replaced.

How it works:

When the car is turned on the warning light on the dashboard will come on for about 2 seconds. This is normal.
If the light flashes (3 seconds off, 1 second on), that indicates a problem with the system. Contact your dealer.

Each sensor has an separate ID code. When the vehicle goes 7-20 mph, a roll switch inside the sensor turns on and the sensor starts to take measurements every 30 seconds, and sends the results about once a minute to a receiver module under the carpet by the drver's door.

When a low tire (app 26-27psi) is detected a warning light in the dashboard turns on. The warning light turns on, it does not flash.
The light does not indicate which tire is low, so please check all tires.
A blow-out won't show up right away.

When the vehicle stops moving for 15 minutes, the sensor enters 'sleep' or off mode to save battery life.

Adjusting tire pressure
Be sure to let the tires cool. After adjusting the pressure, drive the car at least 20 mph (32 km/h) to start the TPMS. If a light was on due to low pressure and the pressure is now normal, the warning light should go off after driving for a few minutes. When a spare or a wheel is replaced without the original pressure sensor being transferred, the low tire pressure warning light will flash. This indicates the TPMS is unable to monitor all four road  wheels. Contact your dealer as soon as possible for sensor replacement or system resetting. Do not inject any aerosol tire sealant in the tires because it will damage the sensor, do not place metal film or any metal parts under the driver's seat because this may effect the signal from the sensors.

cold temperatures?  When checking and adjusting tire pressure inside when it is in cold or winter outside, the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperature is large. This means that when the vehicle goes outside into the cold air, the tire pressure may drop and the warning light come on. To avoid this, when inside, inflate the tire slightly more considering the difference between inside and outside temperatures.

Replace a wheel or use the spare? When you replace the wheel or use the spare tire without the original pressure sensor/transmitter being transferred, the low tire pressure warning light will flash. It needs all 4 sensors feeding it information.

Rotation? (updated May 2005) The system doesn't know which tire is where so there's no problem with rotations. The dashboard warning light only indicates a low tire but not which tire is low so you have to check all 4.

Parking  Try to make sure the tires aren't pressing hard against the curb when you park.

FLAT repair using a can of pressurized tire repair sealant will clog the sensor and it will have to be replaced

To reset drive the car app 5 miles fater correcting for low pressure.

Tire Pressure Monitor re-set tool: To reset the system you'll need a small handheld computer.
These are available from Subaru at http://subaru.spx.com/index.asp,  or try aftermarket for less money from OTC
Do you know of other systems that will reset the Subaru?
 

diagram of the wheel &  sensor/air valve stem

the sensor in the wheel is part of the normal air valve stem that  goes through the side    the warning light on the dashboard goes on when the car is first turned on, or when it senses a problem with the tire or with the system.  these images © Subaru of America