Tire Pressure Light On? What the TPMS Warning Means and What to Do
A steady tire pressure (TPMS) warning light means at least one tire is about 25 percent or more below its recommended pressure. Check all four tires with a gauge when they are cold and inflate them to the pressure on the driver-side door jamb placard, not the maximum on the sidewall. If the light flashes for about a minute and then stays on, the TPMS system itself has a fault and should be checked by a shop.
What the light means
| Light | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Steady | One or more tires significantly low | Check and inflate all tires; look for a nail if one keeps losing air |
| Flashes about a minute, then steady | TPMS fault, such as a dead sensor battery | Have the system checked |
| Comes back within days | Slow leak | Have the tire inspected; it may be repairable (repair rules) |
How to check tire pressure
- Check when the tires are cold: before driving, or after the car has been parked for three hours.
- Find the recommended pressure on the door jamb placard. Front and rear may differ.
- Use a gauge on each valve, including the spare if it has one.
- Add air in short bursts and recheck. Release air with the gauge tip if you overfill.
- Check monthly and before long trips.
Find a tire shop
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Frequently asked questions
Why does my tire pressure light come on in cold weather?
Tire pressure drops roughly 1 psi for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit the air cools. A cold morning can push an already low tire below the warning threshold. Top it up to the recommended pressure.
How long does it take the TPMS light to turn off?
Usually after a few minutes of driving once the pressure is corrected. Some cars need a reset button or a menu setting; check the owner's manual.
Can I drive with the tire pressure light on?
Only carefully and to the nearest air pump or shop. Driving on a badly underinflated tire overheats it and can damage it beyond repair.
When did cars get TPMS?
U.S. federal rules required TPMS on new passenger cars and light trucks starting with the 2008 model year.
Related guides
- Flat Tire? What to Do Step by Step (and When It Can Be Repaired) — How to handle a flat safely, change to the spare, the speed and distance limits of temporary spares and run-flats, and how to keep the tire repairable.
- Can My Tire Be Repaired? Puncture Repair Rules Explained — A puncture is repairable only in the tread and up to 1/4 inch, with a plug-and-patch from inside. Sidewall or shoulder damage means a new tire.
- How to Read a Tire Size: What 225/65R17 98H Means — A plain guide to the numbers on your tire sidewall: width, aspect ratio, construction, rim diameter, load index, speed rating, DOT code and the UTQG rating.