As we near the end of the year, you may begin to notice that leaves are changing and falling, mornings are brisk and dark, and your tire pressure monitoring system light continuously shows up when you start your car. Pugh's Tire & Service Center, your local Washington tire shop, wants you to understand that this light illuminating on your dash doesn't always mean that you have a leak in your tires Washington NC.
What Does the TPMS Light Indicate?
When you have a car that has a TPMS or tire pressure monitoring system, each tire on your vehicle has a small, wireless sensor inside of it. These sensors transmit data to the car's internal computer, and the computer turns on the TPMS light if any of the sensors show a pressure value that is higher or lower than the safe operating range.
While the best response to a TPMS light coming on is to check the tire pressure with a manual gauge, the light can actually illuminate for a variety of reasons other than your tire simply losing air.
Cold Weather Causes Tire Pressure to Fluctuate
Temperature changes overnight or from cold fall and winter days can affect your tire pressure. Tire pressure can decrease by about 1 PSI (pounds per square inch) for every 10 degrees the temperature drops. It's not due to air escaping, but rather the air inside the tire condenses, taking up less space when it's cold versus when it's warm. This can cause the low-pressure indicator to appear. Large swings in temperature between day and night can affect the pressure in your tires by up to 10 PSI. This is temporary, and the light may shut off on its own after you drive for 20 minutes or so. As the air in your tires warms and expands and the proper inflation level stabilizes, this should increase the tire's pressure back to normal.
Regardless of your light turning off or staying on, you should get your air checked right away**.** The TPMS light means your tires are at least 25 percent below the proper air pressure as this is a safety risk. There’s a greater chance of tire failure, compromised handling, and increased wear and tear on your tires. Your gas mileage could also suffer.
When you top off your tires, the TPMS light will go off as the tire regains the proper pressure.
Other Reasons Why the TPMS Light Comes On
If your TPMS light comes on, and stays on, even after driving around for a while, this indicates that the air pressure in at least one of your four tires is low. While your vehicle is still drivable with the TPMS light on, it is important to note that one or more of your tires may be very low on air pressure. Your vehicle may not handle as you expect it to, and driving on a flat tire can damage it.
Drivers should arrive at their destination and check the pressure on all four tires with a manual gauge as soon as possible. If getting your hands on a manual gauge becomes difficult- Pugh's Tire & Service Centers, your local Washington tire shop, takes walk-in appointments at all of our locations.
If your TPMS light comes on, and flashes each time you start your engine and then stays on as you continue to drive this is a tall tale sign that your TPMS has probably malfunctioned and you can't count on it to measure your tire pressure correctly. Drivers can check the air pressure in all four tires with a manual gauge to see if the pressure is normal. If so, it is still safe to drive, however, don't count on the TPMS to warn you of a problem.
Pugh's Tire & Service Centers | Washington Tire Shop
The professionals at Pugh's Tire & Service Centers are readily available to assist you with any of your tires Washington NC needs. Whether it is a faulty TPMS, that your tires actually do need air, or that you have a leak, hole, or gash in a tire, the automotive specialists at Pugh's Tire & Service Centers, your local Washington tire shop, are here to assist you. Stop by, give us a call, or visit our website to schedule an appointment today!
