“TPMS” is an abbreviation for “tire pressure monitoring system” and is associated with a warning light on your vehicle. The TPMS sensors monitor the pressure of each tire on your car. If tire pressure drops too low or gets too high, the TPMS system sends a dashboard alert to the driver.
The alert signals that you need to check and adjust tire pressure. It’s unsafe to drive with underinflated or overinflated tires, which can lead to tire blowouts, reduced traction, faster wear and tear, and other negative consequences. We’ll tell you what you can do to stay safe.
What Does the TPMS Sensor Light Look Like?
In many vehicles, the TPMS light looks yellow, shaped like a cutaway tire with an exclamation point in the middle. If the TPMS warning light is not on but you want to know the pressure for each tire, many newer vehicles show a car image with tires and pressure associated with each. Check your owner’s manual to locate this setting in your dashboard controls.
How to Fix Tire Pressure
In the U.S., we measure tire pressure in pounds per square inch or psi. If your tire pressure is too high, it’s time to deflate the affected tire(s) to the proper psi level posted in the driver’s side door jamb and in your owner’s manual. If the pressure is too low, you must inflate your tire(s) with air to the proper psi level.
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A drop in ambient temperature can cause your tires to lose pressure, sending an alert to your dashboard. But once you fill them with air, the light goes off. However, if the TPMS light flashes and stays illuminated each time you start the vehicle, you may need to get your vehicle system checked at a service center or dealership. If, after you inflate, your tires do not hold air, it’s time to seek out a technician who can check your tires for damage.
Inflating your tires to the correct psi helps keep you safe on the road, maximizes your car’s efficiency, reduces the likelihood of hydroplaning due to poor traction on wet roads, and generally helps your tires last longer.
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