What Happens if I Ignore My Low Tire Pressure Warning Light

Most vehicles manufactured after 2008 are equipped with a warning light for low tire pressure called the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). The system alerts you if any of your vehicle's tires have low pressure using sensors to track the tire pressure.

However, the sensor only shows when the tire pressure is below 25 percent of the recommended manufacturer's pressure for safe driving. You should, therefore, not substitute regular tire pressure checking with the TPMS.

In most vehicles, the warning light is a yellow wheel's cross-section on the vehicle's dashboard. Some vehicles will also display a low-pressure message with the exact tire with low pressure.

Why You Should Never Ignore the TPMS Warning Light

Driving with a low tire pressure affects your vehicle's handling, performance, and, more significantly, your safety. Underinflated tires tend to flex more and generate more heat which may cause the tire's internal components to overheat and break down.

Moreover, an overheated tire can blow up and endanger your safety and other road users. Low tire pressure also increases movement resistance and makes the engine overwork, increasing fuel consumption.

What To Do When the TPMS Light Comes On

If the TPMS light comes on while driving, find a safe place to pull over and check the tire pressure on all your tires. If any tire is low on pressure, add the tire pressure to the manufacturer's recommendations as soon as possible. The recommendations are on the driver's door panel on most vehicles.

If you have overinflated your tires, it may also trigger the TPMS light to come on. If this is the case, deflate the overinflated tire to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Your TPMS light illuminates in different ways;

When you are driving- If the TPMS light comes on when you are driving, it shows that one of your tires could be low on pressure. Get to a fuel station and add the pressure as required.

TPMS flashes- if the TPMS turns on and off, it could mean the temperatures are fluctuating.

Flashing on and off, then solid-on- if the TPMS flashes on and off when you start the vehicle then stays on, your system could have malfunctioned, and you should have a technician look at it.

We invite you to bring your vehicle to Dickerson Automotive today if you need tire repair. We guarantee reliable and reputable services.