The purpose of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is to alert you when tire pressure is too low and could to create unsafe driving conditions. If the light is illuminated, it means your tires could be underinflated, which can lead to undue tire wear and possible tire failure. It's important to understand the importance of proper tire inflation, and how TPMS can help you maintain your tires.

Maintaining proper tire inflation is essential to vehicle handling, overall tire performance, and load carrying capability. A properly inflated tire will reduce tread movement, reduce rolling resistance, and increase water dispersion. Reduced tread movement gives the tire a longer tread life. Reduced rolling resistance, the force required to roll a loaded tire, results in increased fuel efficiency. Increased water dispersion decreases the possibility of hydroplaning.

Both over inflation and under inflation can cause premature tread wear and possible tire failure. Over inflation can result in decreased traction, premature wear, and the inability to absorb road impact. Overinflated tires will show premature wear in the centre of the tread. On the other hand, under inflation will cause sluggish tire response, decreased fuel economy, excessive heat build-up, and tire overload. An underinflated tire will show premature wear on both outside shoulders.

The TPMS warning light will help warn you when your tire pressure is too low. Your TPMS has various illumination patterns that mean different things. Keep reading to find out what they mean.

If you’re learning about tire pressure sensors for the first time, finding the TPMS indicator on your dashboard is simple. It’s a horseshoe-shaped light with an exclamation point in the centre.

What Does a TPMS Warning Light Mean?

Do you know what to do when the low tire pressure TPMS symbol illuminates? The first thing to do is manually check your tire pressures with a gauge and add air until the pressures reach the vehicle manufacturer specification. Keep in mind, your TPMS does not replace routine tire pressure maintenance. It’s a tool that can help alert you when pressure is low, but a tire may drop below proper inflation long before the TPMS warning light comes on. The TPMS light comes on when the tire pressure gets too low or too high.

TPMS Light Illuminates While Driving

When the TPMS light comes on – and stays on – at least one of your tires is at a low pressure level. Check the pressure of all of the tires with a gauge and determine the cause of pressure loss and add air or service the tire(s) as appropriate.

TPMS Light Goes On and Off

When tire pressure(s) are near the level that triggers an alert, fluctuating temperatures may be causing your TPMS light to turn on and off. This typically occurs when pressure decreases overnight due to a drop in ambient temperature that causes the light to turn on; the light may turn off when pressure increases during the day due to rising ambient temperature and/or heat generated from the driving the vehicle. Use a gauge to check the pressure of all of the tires and add air to any tire that is low.

TPMS Light Flashes and Then Stays On

If the light flashes for approximately 60 to 90 seconds every time you start your car and then remains illuminated, this means the TPMS isn’t functioning properly and you should take it to an automotive service centre for an inspection. Until repaired, the TPMS is out of order and is not able to warn you of low tire pressure. Check the air pressure of all of the tires with a gauge and add air to the tires that need it.

Does a TPMS Replace Regular Tire Pressure Checks?

No! Understanding what a TPMS warning light means and what to do when it illuminates is an important part of a driver’s responsibility. However, TPMS is not a replacement for regular tire pressure checks. Why? Depending on the situation, the TPMS may have limitations such as:

• The TPMS warning light may be set to illuminate below the tire pressure needed to carry the load in the vehicle.
• The sensor(s) may not be accurately transmitting tire pressure data to the on-board computer.
• The system may not be able to accurately determine if a tire is too low if other tires are losing pressure at the same rate.

Therefore, even with TPMS, manual tire pressure checks with a gauge are important to caring for your tires and vehicle, especially for your safety and that of others. You should check tire pressure once a month, and before a long trip or when carrying extra load.