Your vehicle’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is an important safety feature that provides critical information about your tires. That warning light that flickers on your dashboard is your vehicle’s way of saying something isn’t right. But what the heck is it trying to say?
Let’s dissect why most drivers see their TPMS light come on — and how to respond.
Low tire pressure is the most frequent culprit behind the TPMS light coming on. It may occur slowly over time or rapidly if a hole is made or the temperature changes.
What to Do:
- Test all four tires’ pressure using a gauge.
- Pump them to their recommended PSI (typically listed on the driver’s side door jamb or in the owner’s manual).
- If the light remains on after inflating the tires, drive the vehicle for a few minutes to reset the system.
Sudden Weather Changes: Tire pressure decreases approximately one psi for every 10 degrees F drop in temperature. When the cold settles in, you might find the air pressure in your tires falling overnight.
What to Do:
- Refill your tires with air as the temperature gets colder.
- Think about checking your tire pressure more often during the fall and winter.
Tire Leak or Puncture: Air will seep out of even a small hole, illuminating the TPMS light. Nails, screws, or other debris can create tiny leaks that are not readily apparent.
What to Do:
- Look over your tires for signs of damage or anything lodged in them.
- Look for slow leaks with soapy water — bubbles will develop where air escapes.
- If you feel a puncture, take your car to a tire shop.
Faulty TPMS Sensor: As with all electronic devices, TPMS sensors can eventually die. A defective sensor might either go off all the time, not go off at all, or not communicate with the car’s internal computer.
What to Do:
- Visit a professional and get your TPMS systems scanned to check what is wrong with the sensors.
- Replace any broken sensors.
Recent Tire Rotation or Changes: If you’ve just had your tires rotated, changed, or serviced, the TPMS system may have to be reset. The adjustment on certain vehicles must be readjusted manually after a similar adjustment.
What to Do:
- Check your car’s owner’s manual for the reset procedure.
- Most newer cars will reset on their own after a short drive.
- If this light remains on, a technician must reset the cube.
Why Proper Tire Pressure Matters
It’s not only a pain, driving on underinflated tires is downright unsafe. It can lead to:
- Poor fuel economy
- Increased tire wear
- Reduced vehicle handling
- Higher risk of blowouts
Listening to the warning signal on your TPMS light and finding the problem early can prevent more complicated and expensive issues later.
Making sense of TPMS or Tire Pressure?
At Quick Pressure Inc., we want to keep your tires properly inflated and your TPMS working efficiently. Our professionals will handle everything from fast pressure checks or sensor replacements to easy sensor matching.
For reliable tire service, call us now!
