Where the TPMS reset button is located on your 2010 Elantra

The TPMS reset button on a 2010 Hyundai Elantra is mounted on the driver's side of the dashboard, below the steering wheel and to the left of the steering column. It is a small, round button that may be recessed slightly into the panel. You do not need any tools to access it — your finger will fit into the space.

The button is straightforward to miss because it blends into the dashboard plastic and has no obvious label. If you look directly below where your left knee would be when sitting in the driver's seat, you should find it. Some owners locate it more easily by feeling along the underside of the dashboard with their hand rather than looking.

Key Takeaways

  • The TPMS reset button sits below the steering wheel on the driver's side of the dashboard, recessed into the panel.
  • You must first inflate all four tires to the correct pressure listed on the driver's door jamb before pressing the reset button.
  • Press and hold the button for three seconds until the TPMS light on your dashboard blinks twice, then release it.
  • The light will go out within a few seconds if the reset worked; if it stays on, one or more tires may still be at the wrong pressure.
  • If the light returns after a few days of driving, a tire may have a slow leak and needs inspection.

Check your tire pressure before you reset

Before you touch the reset button, you must inflate all four tires to the correct pressure. The correct pressure for your 2010 Elantra is printed on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb — open the door and look at the edge of the door frame itself, not the door. The sticker will show one pressure for front tires and one for rear tires (they may be the same or slightly different).

Use a tire pressure gauge to check each tire, including the spare if your vehicle has a tire pressure sensor in it. Add air at a gas station or tire shop until each tire matches the pressure on the sticker. Do not use the pressure printed on the tire sidewall itself — that is the maximum pressure the tire can hold, not the pressure your car needs.

If one tire is significantly lower than the others, it may have a slow leak. Inflate it to the correct pressure anyway, reset the system, and monitor it over the next week. If it drops again, the tire needs repair or replacement.

How to press the reset button

Once all tires are at the correct pressure, sit in the driver's seat with the engine off. Locate the reset button below the steering wheel and press it firmly with your finger. Hold it down for three seconds without releasing.

While you hold the button, watch the TPMS light on your dashboard (it looks like an exclamation mark inside a tire). The light should blink twice during the three seconds you are holding the button. This blinking tells you the system is resetting.

Release the button after three seconds. The TPMS light should turn off within a few seconds. If it stays on, release the button, wait 30 seconds, and try again. Make sure all four tires are still at the correct pressure before the second attempt.

What to do if the light does not turn off

If the TPMS light stays on after you reset it twice, one or more tires may still be at the wrong pressure. Check all four tires again with a gauge, including the spare. Even a tire that is one or two pounds per square inch below the target can keep the light on.

If all tires are at the correct pressure and the light still will not turn off, the problem may be a faulty tire pressure sensor inside one of the wheels. Tire pressure sensors are small electronic devices that can fail or lose their battery charge. A tire shop can test each sensor to find which one is not working. Replacement sensors typically cost between $50 and $150 per wheel, depending on the shop and whether you replace just the sensor or the whole valve stem assembly.

Why the TPMS light comes back on

If you reset the light successfully and it turns off, but then comes back on after a few days of driving, one of your tires is losing air. This usually means a slow leak caused by a puncture, a crack in the sidewall, or a loose valve stem. Check the pressure of all four tires again. The tire that is lowest is the one with the leak.

A slow leak can often be repaired at a tire shop for $10 to $25 if it is a puncture in the tread. Sidewall damage or a faulty valve stem usually requires replacing the tire or the valve stem. Do not ignore a tire that keeps losing pressure — driving on an underinflated tire wears it out faster and can cause a blowout at highway speeds.

Resetting the system when you change tire size

If you have recently switched to winter tires or a different tire size, you must reset the TPMS system after inflating the new tires to the correct pressure. The system learns the pressure baseline for each tire, so it needs to be reset when the tires change. Follow the same steps: inflate all tires to the pressure on the door jamb sticker, then press and hold the reset button for three seconds.

If you store your summer tires during winter, inflate them to the correct pressure before you store them. Tires lose pressure over time, especially in cold temperatures. When you switch back to them in spring, check the pressure again and reset the TPMS system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to turn the engine on to reset the TPMS?

No. The engine can be off or on, but most owners find it easier to reset with the engine off. You do not need to start the car or turn the key to the "on" position.

What if I cannot find the reset button?

Check the owner's manual for your specific model year — the button location can vary slightly between trim levels. If you still cannot locate it, a tire shop can reset the system for you, usually for $20 to $50. They have a diagnostic tool that communicates directly with the sensors.

Will resetting the TPMS erase any other settings in my car?

No. The TPMS reset button only affects the tire pressure monitoring system. It will not change your radio stations, clock, seat position, or any other settings.

How often do I need to reset the TPMS?

You only need to reset it when you change tires, when you adjust tire pressure significantly, or when the light comes on and you have confirmed all tires are at the correct pressure. Under normal driving, you should not need to reset it more than once or twice a year.

Can a tire shop reset the TPMS if I cannot do it myself?

Yes. Any tire shop can reset your TPMS using a diagnostic scanner. This is useful if the button does not seem to work or if you are uncomfortable doing it yourself. The cost is usually $20 to $50.