What Causes The Tire Pressure Light To Come On?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

In general, the light will come on

when the air pressure in one or more tires is outside the recommended range

. … Low pressure could result from a leak or simply from the tendency of a tire to lose about a pound of air pressure every month, as well as a pound for every 10-degree drop in temperature.

Is it safe to drive with tire pressure light on?


It’s not safe to drive around with your TPMS light illuminated

. Without a tire inspection, there’s no way of knowing how quickly air is leaving your tire, or for how long it has been over or underinflated. The best course of action is to use a tire pressure gauge to check the current inflation level of each tire.

Why is my tire pressure light on when my tires are fine?

The TPMS warning light may come on when the air pressure

drops

to 25% on one or more of the tires. Before you go and inflate the tires up thinking that the air pressure is too low, do be careful because doing so may lead to the air pressure being too high during the warmer part of the day.

What can cause low tire pressure?

  • Tire Pressure Problem 1: Nail in Your Tire.
  • Tire Pressure Problem 2: Bent Wheels or Rims.
  • Tire Pressure Problem 3: Due for a Tire Refill.
  • Tire Pressure Problem 4: Temperatures Changes.
  • Tire Pressure Problem 5: Old, Worn Tires.
  • Tire Service, Repair, and Replacement.

How do you reset the tire pressure light?

Turn the car key to “on” but don’t start the vehicle.

Press and hold the TPMS reset button until

the tire pressure light blinks three times. Release the button and start the car. The light should go off within 20 minutes.

How do you know if you have a bad TPMS sensor?

If you find that you have tires with low air pressure and there was no alert from the system, it must be because of a bad TPMS sensor. You can

check your tire pressure with a tire pressure gauge

to confirm that you really have a low tire pressure. Jerky steering wheel.

What do you do when your tire pressure light wont go off?

Without starting the car, turn the key to the “On” position. Press the

TPMS reset button

and hold it until the light blinks three times, then release it. Start the car and let it run for 20 minutes to reset the sensor. You’ll usually find the tire pressure monitor reset button beneath the steering wheel.

Can cold weather cause your tire pressure light to come on?


Temperature changes overnight or from cold winter days

can affect your tire pressure. This can cause the low-pressure indicator to appear. Large swings in temperature between day and night can affect the pressure in your tires by up to 10 PSI.

How much does it cost to fix a TPMS sensor?

Generally speaking, the TPMS sensor replacement cost is going to fall somewhere

between $230 and $750

in most cases. And unlike some other auto repairs, it’s the parts, not the labor, that are going to get you. TPMS sensors can cost anywhere from $180 to $680 alone.

Where is the TPMS reset button?

The TPMS reset button is usually located

beneath the steering wheel

. If you are unable to find it, refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Inflate all tires to 3 PSI over their recommended amount, then deflate them completely. Be sure to include the spare tire, as it may have a sensor as well.

What does low tire pressure feel like?

If you’ve been driving and slowly begin to notice that driving the vehicle seems softer,

almost sponge-like

, this is a sign of low tire pressure. As the tire pressure decreases, the tire begins to flatten out. This more of tire’s service area is making contact with the road, creating the spongy feel.

How long can you drive with tire pressure light on?

Once the tires are properly inflated, the light

may go off after you’ve driven a few miles

. If the light doesn’t automatically turn off after about 10 miles, the TPMS may need to be reset, as directed in the vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Why do all my tires keep losing air?

There are Several Possibilities as to Why Your Tires Lose Air:

a hole in the tread

, probably from a nail or something sharp in the road. a hole in the sidewall, probably from an encounter with something sharp on the road. a poor seal where the tire attaches to the wheel, which lets air escape.

What does a solid tire pressure light mean?

A TPMS warning light that illuminates solid and remains solid usually means that one

or more of the tires has low air pressure and needs to be inflated to the correct placard pressure

. … The flashing light can mean the sensor is damaged, missing, or has a dead battery and needs to be replaced.

Can you turn off the TPMS system?

The U.S. Department of Transportation has mandated that all vehicles manufactured after 2008 include a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Although you cannot disable the TPMS in a General Motors (GM) vehicle,

you can reset the system if you recently checked your tires and inflated them properly

.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.