Reset the Tyre Pressure Monitor (TPMS)

Last updated: June 4, 2026

When the tyre-pressure warning light comes on in your Škoda Octavia Mk3 (5E, 2013–2020), it usually means the system needs to be told that your current pressures are the new reference — not that a sensor has failed. You re-set it after adjusting pressures or changing wheels. The Octavia gives you two ways depending on whether it has the column infotainment or the basic radio. This guide covers both.

Which TPMS Does Your Octavia Have?

Most Octavia Mk3 models use an indirect tyre-pressure monitoring system. Instead of a sensor in each wheel, it watches the ABS wheel-speed signals: a softer tyre is slightly smaller and spins a little faster, and the car notices. Because it works from a stored baseline, an indirect system must be re-set whenever you change the pressures — there is nothing to read, only a reference to store.

When to Reset

• After checking or adjusting the tyre pressures (including seasonal changes).
• After changing one or more wheels or tyres.
• After rotating the wheels front-to-back.

Set Your Pressures First

The reset stores whatever pressures are in the tyres at that moment, so they must be correct first. Set all four (cold) to the placard figures on the driver’s door pillar or behind the fuel flap, using the laden column if carrying a full load. Never reset with a tyre already low.

Method 1 — Infotainment (Bolero / Columbus)

1. Make sure all four tyres are at the correct cold pressure.
2. Switch the ignition on (screen live).
3. Open the menu and select “Vehicle systems” (or the CAR menu).
4. Select “CAR”, then “Tyres”.
5. Press and hold the “SET” option to store the current pressures.
6. The system is reset and the warning light should go out.

Method 2 — Cars with the Basic Radio

1. Set the correct cold pressures.
2. Press and hold the SET button (tyre-pressure symbol, near the gear lever or low on the dash).
3. Wait about 2 seconds — the TPMS warning light flashes and an audible signal sounds.
4. Release the button. The system is reset.

After either method the car finishes learning over the first few miles, so the light can take a short drive to confirm.

Light Won’t Go Out? Work Through This

• A tyre is genuinely low: the system is doing its job — find and fix the leak, re-inflate, then reset.
• Reset not stored: repeat the steps and make sure you hold SET until it confirms.
• Big front-to-rear split: set them to the placard figures; indirect systems dislike large mismatches.
• Direct-sensor car flashing (not steady): a flashing light points to a sensor fault rather than a low tyre — the car may store a code you can look up on autodtcs.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Octavia Mk3 have a sensor in each wheel?

Most use an indirect system that relies on the ABS wheel-speed sensors, so there is nothing inside the wheel. The reset is done from the menu or the SET button.

Where is the SET button?

On cars with the basic radio it is a physical button (tyre-pressure symbol) near the gear lever or low on the dash. Hold it until the light flashes and the signal sounds.

Why does the light return after a few days?

Either a tyre is slowly losing air, or you reset while a tyre was already low. Re-check all four cold pressures and reset again.

Do I need to reset after just topping up the air?

Yes — any pressure change shifts the baseline an indirect system relies on, so re-store the values after any adjustment.

After tyre or seasonal-wheel work it is worth confirming the service reminder is clear — see our Octavia Mk3 service indicator reset guide.