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The Tire Pressure Warning System

The 2006 Lexus IS350 is outfitted with a tire pressure warning system, which detects low tire pressure and displays a warning on the multi-information display. When the display shows “CHECK SYSTEM” and includes a lit symbol of an exclamation mark inside of a bulging flat tire, it is time to pull over and check for a potential flat tire.

Occasionally on a cold day, the warning may light up because the tire pressure is lower than normal due to the low temperature. However, this is not any cause for concern as the drop in pressure is temporary.

If the tire is truly flat from damage to the tire, then of course it must be either repaired or replaced. Once it has been repaired/replaced, then the Tire Pressure Warning System will need to be reset with the procedure outline below.

How To Reset The Tire Pressure Sensor

At the lower-left hand side of the steering column, there is a set of three buttons: one center circular button labeled “ON/OFF”, and two arrow buttons on each side of the circular button. The left and right buttons cycle through the menu on the multi-information display.

lexus is350 2nd gen - how to reset tire pressure sensor

In order to reset the tire pressure sensor, use the following reset procedure:

  • Ensure the vehicle’s tires are all filled with air to the proper inflation pressure (recommended tire pressures are normally found on a sticker on the inside jamb of the driver’s side door frame).
  • Park the vehicle and start the engine.
  • Press the left or right arrow buttons until the “PRESSURE INITIAL” screen comes up on the multi-information display.
  • Press and hold the center button for at least 3 seconds until you hear a chime and the tire pressure indicator light flashes 3 times.
  • Drive the vehicle and the warning light should disappear shortly after.

If the “PRESSURE INITIAL” warning does not go away after following the reset procedure and a short drive of the vehicle, then it is best to have the tire pressure sensors scanned and evaluated for further issues. When I personally had this problem, I took the car into the local America’s Tire and they determined that two of the sensors’ batteries were dead.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) batteries are of the lithium-ion type, and they last between 5-10 years. Given the Lexus IS350 we own is a 2006, it lasted 12 years–longer than expected. I opted to have the TPMS sensors in all four tires replaced at the same since the other working two might be on its last legs. After this was completed, the tire technician programmed the sensors. I performed the reset procedure as outlined above, and after 10 seconds of driving, the tire pressure warning finally went off.

Author

Hi there! I'm Scott and I run The Track Ahead. My goal is to provide helpful articles and tutorials based on my experience and research related to car maintenance and automotive detailing. When I'm not writing and not working my day job, you can find me spending time with my family and working on home and car projects.

4 Comments

  1. Hey Scott, thanks for the tips. I came back from Performance Tire and the manager there didn’t even realized that three-button is indeed the tire reset for my IS250. I looked everywhere and thought this IS250 doesn’t have one, the normal Toyota-Lexus reset single button couldn’t be found. Anyhow, unfortunately, mine reset didn’t solve the Check System warning issue, ended scanned and realized one of the four did not send out signal, evidently dead. Although thanks for this article education me, and everyone else. Edited for a question, if you don’t mind telling, how much should one pay (average) for a new TPMS unit (with installed fees)?

    • Hi Kevin, thanks for the comment. I had America’s Tire replace all 4 TPMS on my wife’s IS350 and it cost $60 per sensor and $5 for labor to switch it out and re-program it. I’ve never bothered to do this myself before, so I can’t say if it’s a fair price or not. However, I’d say that if your’e just getting one done, the price may not be too bad. Good luck on getting that fixed!

        • You’re probably right. Anytime I don’t spend the time to research and learn how to do it myself, I’m assuming I’m getting duped.

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