maintenance

TPMS Sensor

for 2021 Hyundai Tucson 2.5L I4 · AWD

Difficulty

Easy

Time

30 min

Tools

Steps

This procedure covers the replacement of a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor on a 2016-2024 Hyundai Tucson with 2.5L I4 AWD engine, including wheel removal, sensor replacement, and system relearn.

Warnings

⚠Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands rated for the vehicle weight.

⚠Do not over-torque lug nuts as this can warp brake rotors or damage wheel studs.

ℹ️TPMS sensors are fragile. Handle carefully and avoid dropping or impacting the sensor body.

ℹ️This procedure requires dismounting the tire from the wheel. If you lack tire changing equipment, take the wheel to a tire shop for sensor replacement.

Tools required

Floor jackEssential

Jack standsEssential

Torque wrench (100-150 Nm range)Essential

Tire pressure gaugeEssential

TPMS valve core toolEssential

TPMS relearn tool or scan tool

Wheel chocksEssential

21mm socket or appropriate lug wrenchEssential

Tire iron or bead breaking tools

Parts

TPMS sensor × 1 — Use OEM Hyundai TPMS sensor or quality aftermarket 433MHz compatible
TPMS valve core × 1 — Usually included with sensor
TPMS valve cap × 1 — Metal valve cap recommended

Preparation

Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
Place wheel chocks behind wheels that will remain on ground
Verify replacement TPMS sensor is correct frequency (433MHz for North American Tucson models)
Locate the wheel with the faulty TPMS sensor using vehicle display or diagnostic tool
If tire shop will dismount tire, skip to step 2 after loosening lug nuts

Procedure

1
Remove wheel from vehicle
Loosen wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while wheel is still on ground. Raise vehicle with floor jack at appropriate jacking point near the wheel being serviced. Securely support vehicle on jack stand. Remove lug nuts completely and remove wheel from vehicle. Set wheel on flat surface with valve stem accessible.
2
Deflate tire and break bead
Remove valve cap and use valve core tool to completely remove the valve core from the TPMS sensor, fully deflating the tire. Use tire irons or bead breaker to break both tire beads away from the wheel rim on both sides. Work carefully around the area where the TPMS sensor is located (at valve stem) to avoid damaging the sensor during bead breaking.
3
Dismount tire from wheel
Using tire irons, work the top bead of the tire over the wheel rim, starting opposite the valve stem location. Once top bead is fully removed, pull the tire away from the wheel enough to access the TPMS sensor mounted on the inside of the rim at the valve stem location. If using tire machine, follow machine-specific procedures and take care not to damage the sensor.
4
Remove old TPMS sensor
The TPMS sensor is mounted to the wheel rim through the valve stem hole with a retention nut on the outside. From the outside of the wheel, use appropriate wrench or socket to remove the TPMS sensor retention nut. Carefully pull the old sensor with attached valve stem through the rim hole from the inside. Inspect the valve stem hole in the rim for any damage or debris and clean if necessary.
5
Install new TPMS sensor
Insert the new TPMS sensor through the valve stem hole from inside the wheel, ensuring the rubber grommet seats properly against the rim. Thread the retention nut onto the valve stem from outside and hand-tighten. Torque the retention nut to manufacturer specification (typically 4-6 Nm, but follow sensor instructions). Ensure sensor body is positioned correctly inside the rim and will not contact the tire during mounting.
6
Remount tire onto wheel
Apply tire lubricant to both tire beads. Position the tire back onto the wheel, working the bottom bead over the rim edge first, starting opposite the valve stem. Then work the top bead over the rim, finishing at the valve stem location. Ensure the TPMS sensor was not damaged during tire mounting. Use tire machine or manual method to seat both beads properly.
7
Inflate tire and install valve core
Install new valve core into the TPMS sensor valve stem using valve core tool. Inflate tire to the pressure specified on the driver door jamb placard (typically 35 PSI for Tucson). Check for leaks around valve stem using soapy water. Install metal valve cap onto valve stem.
8
Reinstall wheel on vehicle
Lift wheel onto hub and thread lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with hand wrench until wheel is seated against hub. Use torque wrench to torque lug nuts to specification in a star pattern, making at least two complete passes to ensure even torque distribution.
Torque spec
Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
9
Perform TPMS relearn procedure
Lower vehicle to ground. Turn ignition to ON position without starting engine. Use TPMS relearn tool to activate each sensor starting with left front, then right front, right rear, and left rear, following tool instructions. Alternatively, drive vehicle at 50+ mph for 10-15 minutes to allow automatic relearn (if equipped). For manual relearn on some models: with vehicle in Park, press and hold the TPMS reset button under steering column until TPMS light blinks 3 times, then drive vehicle.

Reassembly

Verify all lug nuts are torqued to specification in star pattern
Verify tire pressure matches door jamb specification
Ensure valve cap is installed to protect valve core from debris

Verification

Start vehicle and verify TPMS warning light turns off after approximately 1-2 minutes of running
Check vehicle information display to confirm all four tire pressures are reading correctly
If TPMS light remains on, perform relearn procedure again or use scan tool to verify sensor ID is programmed correctly
Test drive vehicle and monitor TPMS system for proper operation
Recheck lug nut torque after 50-100 miles of driving