It is important to check tire pressure regularly because when tires are properly inflated, they last longer, perform better, and help you save money on gas.
The TPMS light comes on when the air pressure in one or more of the tires falls below 25%. Before you inflate the tires and assume that the air pressure is incorrect, be sure to check for yourself.
A faulty sensor or a malfunctioning light does not mean that there is an issue with the tires. If you get a new set of tires, replace a tire or rotate your tires, it’s possible that the TPMS light will come on again.
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Why does my car say low tire pressure when it is not?
The air pressure of your car tires can be affected by the weather, so if you’re driving in extreme heat or cold, don’t be surprised to see the light come on.
- Your tires may be underinflated by just a few pounds per square inch (PSI), which would cause the TPMS light to come on.
- If you have a slow leak in any tire, it’s possible for the TPMS to react and warn you that there’s a problem.
- If you’ve recently upgraded your wheels or tires, it’s possible that the new system doesn’t work with your existing TPMS sensors.
- Your tires might have lost air due to a nail or screw puncture.
- The tire pressure sensor is faulty and needs to be replaced.
Why did my tire light come on after getting new tires?
It’s common for the TPMS light to come on after getting new tires. To fix this, you need to get your tire pressure sensor reset. This is usually a quick and easy process that can be done at most mechanic shops or auto parts stores.
The light is also likely to come on after a tire rotation since the sensors are typically located on the wheels of your car.
Another common cause of the light turning on is incorrect inflation pressure on one or more tires. If you find that your car’s tire pressure light is on when the tires are fine, there could be an issue with one of the sensors.
You’ll want to check all your tires and make sure they’re at their ideal pressure level. If the problem persists, it might be wise to have someone take a look at your sensors to see if one of them has gone bad.
Can I drive with the tire pressure light on?
The tire pressure light, also known as the TPMS system, on your car should turn off when you have filled your tires to the proper pressure, or “PSI.” But if it stays on, that means your TPMS system is malfunctioning.
The main problem with a faulty TPMS system is the potential for driving with underinflated tires. Underinflated tires are a safety hazard because they can overheat and fail. Additionally, they increase fuel consumption. So it’s important to get that tired light turned off!
The tire pressure light, also known as the TPMS system, on your car should turn off when you have filled your tires to the proper pressure, or “PSI.” But if it stays on, that means your TPMS system is malfunctioning.
The main problem with a faulty TPMS system is the potential for driving with underinflated tires. Underinflated tires are a safety hazard because they can overheat and fail. Additionally, they increase fuel consumption. So it’s important to get that tired light turned off!
How do you know which tire sensor is bad?
The light simply means that one or more of the tires on your vehicle has dropped 25 percent or more below the recommended pressure.
Tire pressure goes down as a tire heats up and increases as it cools down. So don’t be surprised if you see the light come on after driving for a while, but not right after starting up your car.
If you suspect any of your tires may have low pressure, check them with a gauge and fill the underinflated ones to the recommended level. Then reset your TPMS by pushing and holding the button on your instrument panel—usually located at 3 o’clock—until the dashboard light goes off.
It’s important to note that it’s not just low tire pressure that triggers this light—it also comes on when a tire becomes overinflated.
Overinflation is less common, but it can cause poor handling and increased wear to the center of your tires. So make sure you check your tire pressure regularly, not just when the light comes on.
If your TPMS warning light comes on, it’s possible that one of your tires is low. Check the pressure in all four tires and top off as needed.
But if you’ve just checked the pressure and found proper inflation, then there’s a problem with one of the sensors. The good news is you don’t need to replace the tire; all you need to do is replace the sensor.
The first thing you should do when you notice your tire pressure light is on is to check your tire pressure and then check it again. Make sure you’re using the correct air pressure for your tires, not just what the light says.
The most common reason for a false TPMS warning is under-inflated tires. You can pick up a tire gauge at any auto parts store, and it’s worth keeping one in the glove box at all times just in case.
If your tires are inflated properly, or if you know they were recently inflated to the correct amount, then it is possible that there’s an issue with your TPMS system.
Sometimes TPMS sensors need to be reset after routine maintenance, such as rotating or replacing tires and wheels. Other times, it’s an indication that the sensors need to be replaced.
What causes low tire pressure light, but tires are fine?
There are a number of possible causes of your tire pressure light coming on when your tires are still inflated. There could be a problem with the sensors in your wheels, or the tire pressure light itself could be faulty. You’ll need to get to the bottom of the issue before you can drive safely again.
Take a look at these four possible reasons why your tire pressure light is on when there’s nothing wrong with your tires:
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System is Malfunctioning
- A Faulty TPMS Sensor
- A Corrupt TPMS Receiver
- Dirty Tire Pressure Sensors
The tire pressure light is designed to go off when the pressure drops below a certain amount. A tire can lose pressure due to outside temperature, driving at high speeds, hitting a pothole or curb, etc.
So if you have the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light come on when you’re driving, and you know that your tires are fine, there could be a few reasons why this is happening.
The first thing to do when you see the TPMS light on is to check your tire pressure.
There are two main reasons why a tire pressure monitoring system light comes on. The first is that one or more tires are underinflated. When the sensors detect low tire pressure, they trigger the TPMS light to warn you of the problem.
The second reason could be that there’s a malfunction in the TPMS module or sensors. If your tire pressure is correct and the light stays on, have it checked as soon as possible by a certified mechanic, who can perform an inspection to determine if there are any faults in the system.
Why does the TPMS light come on when the spare tire?
There are a number of reasons why the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light might be on. The most common reason is that the valve stem on one of your tires has a slow leak. This can happen over time and is more likely in climates where temperatures fluctuate rapidly, like Colorado.
If your TPMS light isn’t blinking, that typically means you need to add air to your tires. It’s important to note that this process needs to be done slowly, incrementally, and with plenty of breaks in between. If you fill-up the tire too quickly, it could explode.
You may also have low tire pressure because there is a small puncture in one of your tires. This can happen from running over a sharp object on the road or other debris, such as a nail or screw.
How do I Fix my tire pressure light that keeps coming on?
If you’re driving around in a car and your Low Tire Pressure Light comes on, it can be a bit of a mystery. You know that you have air in the tires, so why is this light coming on?
Well, there could be a number of causes for this. To find out what the problem is, you’re going to have to do a little detective work. Here are some of the most common reasons that your low tire pressure light might come on and how to fix them.
A sensor needs to be replaced
The first thing that you need to find out is if there is actually something wrong with your tire pressure or if this is just a glitch in the system. The way that you do this is by checking the pressure in each tire. If all of them seem fine, then it’s possible that one of the sensors needs to be replaced.
Your tires need more air
If you check your tires and they are low on air, then you can easily fix them by putting air in them at a gas station or at home with an air compressor. If they were already full, then it might be time to get new tires as they could be losing pressure through leaks.
Why does my car tire pressure go down when I drive?
The tire pressure sensor is mounted directly to the wheel rim and transmits a signal to the TPMS control module. The sensor contains a battery, which can fail after approximately five years of service.
The sensor is also subject to damage from road debris or corrosion. If a sensor is damaged or fails, the tire pressure monitoring system will illuminate the low tire pressure indicator.
The sensor’s battery may fail due to corrosion from factors such as driving in areas with salted roads during winter months or exposure to corrosive materials such as fertilizer used on lawns and gardens.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can AutoZone Check TPMS sensors?
The staff at Autozone can help you check the air pressure in your tires, but they don’t have the equipment to diagnose or reset a tire pressure monitoring system. You should go to a local auto shop or dealership to get your TPMS light checked.
2. Can heat cause tire pressure light?
Yes, heat can cause your tire pressure light to stay on. If you’ve recently driven through extreme heat, for example, it could cause the air in your tires to expand, which could trip the sensor.
3. How much does it cost to reset TPMS?
In light of our research, the average cost of TPMS replacement is between $120 and $150 per sensor. The labor costs for this process are between $50 and $70.
4. How long does it take for the tire pressure light to go off?
Theoretically, your tire pressure light should go off within 10 minutes of driving after you’ve inflated your tires or installed new ones. In reality, however, it might take as long as a few days before your warning light turns off.
Conclusion
When air pressure on one or more of your tires falls below 25%, the TPMS light comes on. Before you inflate the tires thinking that the air pressure is incorrect, be sure to check for yourself.
The TPMS may be faulty, in which case you will not know when the air pressure is low until it is too late. Check each tire with a tire gauge before adding any air, just to make sure!
