Posted on 10/25/2025 7:24:28 AM PDT by Twotone
That annoying low-tire-pressure light could also be an intruder alert.
Hackers have found another way into your car's computer system: where the rubber meets the road.
Thanks to the TREAD Act, every new car since 2008 comes with a tire pressure monitoring system. It's what turns on that annoying low-pressure light we're all familiar with. By monitoring the the air pressure of each tire and alerting the driver when the pressure falls below a certain threshold, you car's TPMS makes you safer. It also makes you a bigger target for hackers.
The problem is that TPMS uses unencrypted radio frequencies for the communication between the tire and the receiver. Hackers can "spoof" these signals, allowing them to send false data to the vehicle’s computer, such as indicating that the tire pressure is higher or lower than it actually is. Takeover
Big deal. You can hack my car and turn on my little pressure light? Annoying, sure. I didn’t think I cared until I learned that your TPMS radio frequency receiver is hooked directly into the car's ECU — the computer that controls everything from fuel injection to exhaust, fuel mix, electricity, engine stats, timing, electric car driveability, and more
What's more, this RF receiver is usually the same receiver that talks to your remote key fob to open the doors and disarm your security system. Compromised safety
So what exactly could a hacker do via your TPMS? More than you might expect.
TPMS hacking can:
Compromise the safety of the vehicle by causing incorrect tire pressure readings, which can lead to accidents or tire blowouts.
Capture data about the vehicle, such as its location and driving habits.
Gain access to other systems within the vehicle, such as the engine or brakes, leading to complete control of the vehicle.
Gauging the risk
So what can you do to keep hackers out? You should be as cautious of your car’s security as you are of public Wi-Fi and keep your vehicle's software up to date. Additionally, be wary of any attempts to physically tamper with your TPMS sensors.
And it can't hurt to have your own dial or digital pressure gauge. If that tire pressure light kicks on and your tires seem fine, check the pressure against the number inside the driver's door. If it it's fine, it could be a sign that your TPMS has been compromised.
Someone hacking into your car this way is unlikely, but if it does happen, it could be a disaster. As vehicles become more connected and rely more on electronic systems, this and other cybersecurity issues are something to keep an eye on.
My key fob stopped working and I was locked out f my old Prius...turned out the 12 volt battery was only giving 6 volts....took it to garage fr overnight deep charge ...and no more problems.
I wouldn’t go that far.
Sharp objects in the road are a thing and can take a tire down quickly. It’s nice to have a warning before the tire becomes undriveable. Weekly checks don’t protect you from that. And, again, it is totally do-able with ABS sensing rings and modern vehicle computing.
I drive a 2000 kia sportage, 5 speed. 190k miles. Great little car! We only have 1 vehicle newer than 2008 and it’s also a kia.
OMG!!! Hackers!!!! Panic!!!!
Please….
This is the part I have a problem with. I think that only an idiot would think that their security is improving with a software update - on anything.
Then you're not hacking the TPMS, you're hacking the keyfob receiver.
My 2012 VW Jetta Sportwagen somehow uses the anti-lock brake system to detect low tire pressure so nothing is transmitted.
This is utter bull crap. Those are wired CAN devices with only a pressure sensor.
I forgot to add the radio in the tires communicated with a CAN interface. That sensor and interface do not pass general messages.
The batteries went dead in my oldest truck, so I guess it’s now my emergency backup if the others get compromised. I knew there was a good reason to keep that truck.
It’s a million times more likely that one of your sensors went bad. That happened to us. Those things aren’t cheap, either!
If you have a domestic or most import brands, they are a pain in the rear, but if you are a do-it-yourselfer, with some relatively cheap diagnostic equipment... they are not expensive, not difficult to figure out which one has a low battery, and not really that difficult to replace. If you have a Tesla, certain BMWs, Ferraris, Mercedes, Porches etc... with proprietary systems then you are screwed, but there are typically work-arounds anyway.
Looking back at my Amazon purchase history, I bought eight of them for $22.99 on August 9 when they went on sale for half price. I changed out all 4 on my Ford F350.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8F1WPZ1
At the same time, for $8.99 I purchased a TPMS Sensor Training Program Tool which is not really necessary but makes the job of getting them all working easier.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J4GXNRM
It gets slightly more complicated if you get universal sensors like the “XTOOL TS100 TPMS Sensor 315/433MHz for All Vehicles”; they claim 98% compatibility ans still cost less than $20 for 4. “Replace for OEM Sensors, Cover 98% GLOBAL Vehicles: Designed for almost all 98% vehicles in the market, covers for GMC/for Buick/for Ford/for Mazda/for Toyota/for Lexus/for Nissan/for BMW/for Jeep/for Chrysler/for Acura/for Subaru/for Chevy/for Honda, etc. 315 MHz/433 MHz dual frequency, 2-in-1 TPMS tire sensor, whatever your OEM sensor is 315 MHz or 433 MHz, TS100 can fit for your car”
https://www.amazon.com/XTOOL-Programmable-Replacement-Pressure-Monitoring/dp/B0CKYW1QK4
The hardest part of the job taking your wheels off the vehicle and pushing the tire off the rim on one side and then holding the bead down while you are swapping them out with a couple pieces of scrap wood. This job is made much easier if you have a Harbor Freight Manual Tire Changer which costs $59 regularly but goes on sale fairly frequently. Or you can get a nearly identical one for about the same price delivered from Amazon.
https://www.harborfreight.com/manual-tire-changer-58731.html
The other thing that I have that is extremely handy om Fords is a ForScan compatible Bi-directional OBD2 communication tool, so you can change the settings when using ForScan. ForScan is used on your laptop and is designed for Fords, but the tool works with other software for other makes and models as well. It cost me $28.99 from Amazon with free overnight shipping which is what it costs pretty much all of the time.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ92SLDY
Of course, my favorite Bi-Directional OBD2 communications tool is more expensive but works on other vehicles as well, is the Kingbolen Ediag Elite which is pretty much always onsale at Walmart.com for $85 to $90.
Here is the video that Scotty Kilmore put up on YouTube promoting it that caused me to buy one...
I also like my Bluedriver Pro which costs about the same but is not as capable. I have a little collection of OBD2 scanners. The little Bluetooth Elm based ones don’t have as many features and can only read and reset your codes, but for under $10 every day of the week from Amazon and others... everyone should have at least one.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F62RX7YV
I have had one of these scanners for years which costs around $12 but is a little more capable.
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Scanner-Diagnostic-Vehicle-Compatible/dp/B07CP5ZJVQ
Got a little sidetracked... The reason that TPMS sensors have a reputation for being expensive is that tire shops make a killing on them... They are not expensive, not hard to diagnose and replace and have a wide range of vehicles that each variety is compatible with.
If someone is out to get you, and he is close enought to the car to spoof the signal, he is close enough to stick an awl in four tires in 30 seconds. Bam! $1,000 not counting special tow.
I’m glad my wife has a 2001 model car and mine is a 2005. If I had a newer vehicle, I would just remove the stupid things from the tires, a tire gauge has worked for me for 60 years.
I don't think Oscar has to worry about such things.
What did you expect?
BTW happened in 2000 not 2008.
This is where I found it most useful for safety purposes. We drove a 35 ft super c rv with a tow vehicle, for two years. The chassis didn’t come with tire pressure monitoring. I bought an after-market system and installed them on all the tires plus the tow vehicle. The tow vehicle was my largest concern. It was a “peace of mind” kind of thing.
Or my ‘97 Explorer.
AND PEOPLE WONDER WHY I DRIVE OLD IRON...
1976 1 ton Chevy 4 speed truck
1979 Buick wagon
COMBINED MILES==569,000+++
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