# 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](https://appointauto.com/guides/tire-puncture-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

- [Tire shops in Los Angeles](https://appointauto.com/tire-shops/los-angeles/) — 1 listing
- [Tire shops in Oakland](https://appointauto.com/tire-shops/oakland/) — 1 listing
- [Tire shops in San Francisco](https://appointauto.com/tire-shops/san-francisco/) — 1 listing
- [Tire shops in San Jose](https://appointauto.com/tire-shops/san-jose/) — 1 listing
- [Tire shops in Santa Clara](https://appointauto.com/tire-shops/santa-clara/) — 1 listing
- [Tire shops in Sunnyvale](https://appointauto.com/tire-shops/sunnyvale/) — 1 listing

## 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)](https://appointauto.com/guides/flat-tire-what-to-do/) — 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](https://appointauto.com/guides/tire-puncture-repair-rules/) — 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](https://appointauto.com/guides/how-to-read-tire-size/) — 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.

[Find a shop near you](https://appointauto.com/)

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Source: https://appointauto.com/guides/tire-pressure-tpms-light/ · Last updated 2026-10-23. Station details are compiled from public listings and can change; call the shop to confirm hours and prices before you go.