Why is my tire pressure light on when my tires are fine? This is one question that many drivers ask and for good reason. The tire pressure light is designed to alert the driver that he or she needs to check their tires for an issue. It is one of the most frustrating things that a driver can experience while they are driving.
Sometimes, this light can come on even when there’s nothing wrong with the vehicle because it detects a problem in another car, but it’s still best to investigate any time the light flickers on. This article will explore the most likely causes of a tire pressure light and what you can do to rectify the issue with your vehicle.
Reasons Behind Low Tire Pressure Light But Tires Are Fine
There are many reasons why the low tire pressure light will come on even when your tires are fine. This can be frustrating for the driver because it means that you have to check your tires before you can continue driving. The following are some of the main reasons why your car’s tire pressure light will be on:
1. Temperature Issues
In some cases, the temperature of your tires will make them appear to have lower pressure than they actually do. The sensors that tell your car how much pressure is in each tire will start to look at the actual temperature of the tires as well.
If they are warmer than they should be, it could cause them to read low and make you feel as though there is something wrong with your car when there isn’t. It may not be easy to fix the issue but you can take steps to ensure that you aren’t going above or below the suggested temperature for your tires.
2. Air Vents Clogged
One of the most common reasons that the light will come on is because there is something stuck in the air vent from leaves to paper, it’s easy for this to happen to your vehicle and it can take you a while before you end up noticing what’s wrong with your car.
The best thing that you can do is to be vigilant about checking your tire pressure regularly and running your car through regular maintenance schedules.
3. Faulty Tire Pressure Sensor
If you have a wheel speed sensor installed, it may cause your light to come on. If your wheel speed sensor is damaged, this can be an issue for your wheels and the light will come on.
In order to prevent this from ever happening, it’s important that you make sure that you check regularly for dents or cracks in the sensors. If you have these types of issues, then there’s a good chance that they can cause an issue with the tire pressure system in your vehicle.
4. Inflate with Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a less reactive form of gas that can help you avoid leaks and keep your car safe. There are a lot of great benefits that come with using nitrogen and it can help you avoid the tire pressure light.
On top of this, there’s also less chance of your tires exploding. If you are looking for a way to avoid issues like this, then you may want to consider using nitrogen to fill your tires up.
5. Low Tire Pressure Due To Worn Tires
If your tires have deep cracks or if they have been experiencing punctures, it’s easy for the pressure inside of them to go down. One of the ways that this can happen is if you run hard, you can also experience a slow leak in the tire. If that’s the case, it’ll likely set off your light, even if everything is fine.
6. Improperly Inflated Tires
If your tires are over-inflated, they may put more pressure on the tires, making it more likely to cause a leak or cause your tires to explode. You need to make sure that you check and adjust the air pressure in your tires regularly.
7. Recent Tire Changes
The amount of pressure that the tire needs to hold is different throughout different seasons. If you have recently purchased new tires, it may be a good idea to make sure that you’ve done the necessary adjustments so that they can properly maintain the pressure needed.
8. Tires Installed Incorrectly
If you’re unsure of how to install your tires, it’s possible that you will put them on in the wrong position. One of the easiest ways to tell if you have these installed incorrectly is if they are facing the opposite direction. If this is the case, it’s possible that they will blow out or cause an issue with pressure.
9. The Spare Tire’s Pressure Is Low
For the most part, if you have the spare tire inflated correctly, then your vehicle will likely be fine. However, it’s possible that the pressure in the spare tire is low and this can cause an issue with your vehicle. If you notice this happening, it’s best that you have a mechanic check out your vehicle to be sure that your tires are working correctly.
10. Noise In The System
Even if there is a perfectly functioning pressure sensor in your tire, it may be unclear how to interpret that data. There may be noise in the system that causes the computer to think there is something wrong when there isn’t. This is usually a very rare occurrence but it does happen from time to time.
How To Check A Faulty Tire Pressure Monitoring System-Steps
The tire pressure monitoring system provides a direct, real-time view of each individual tire’s air pressure and temperature in relation to recommended levels. It also reads, stores, and reports changes in air pressure in real-time.
You can follow the steps below to rectify any issues with your tire pressure:
1. Perform A Short Drive Test
The first thing you’ll want to do is to check the pressure of your tires after driving a short distance. When you do this, it will ensure that the pressure light is related to something in your tires and not something else in the vehicle.
Observe how the lights behave, in most cases, the warning light will turn on for about five or ten minutes. If it remains on for longer than this, then this means you’ll have to perform a more thorough check and try to find the cause of the problem.
2. Check Your Tires For Leaks
You should also check each of your tires for any signs of leaks. This can be done using a pressure gauge and checking the tire for any leaks after driving just one mile or so. If you find that there are leaks, you need to fix them as soon as possible.
3. Check Your Valve Stems
The valve stems can also be a problem and they need to be checked as well. One of the obvious problems here is if they have become sufficiently worn out or damaged. If you notice damage, it’s a good idea to replace them right away, especially if they are prone to cracking or showing any signs of weakness.
4. Reset the TPMS
This is one of the most important parts of checking your tire pressure monitoring system. You can reset the TPMS by following these steps:
- Stop your engine and make sure the ignition is turned off.
- Locate the TPMS reset button on your car’s dashboard. This may be labeled as “TPMS” or something similar.
- Press and hold the TPMS reset button for several seconds until you see a message on your car’s LCD screen indicating that the reset process has been completed successfully.
- If you can’t find a reset button, turn your vehicle’s ignition on/off five times in rapid succession and you should be able to reset it that way instead.
- After you have done this, wait for two minutes and then restart the engine. Drive your car for at least 20-30 minutes to allow the TPMS system to recalibrate and update its readings.
- Check your tires again after this time period to make sure that they are all properly inflated and that the low tire pressure light is no longer coming on when you drive. If the light continues to come on or if you notice any other issues with your tires, contact a mechanic for further assistance.
Resetting the TPMS will work most of the time. However, it is not recommended to reset the TPMS in your car frequently as it could cause complications.
Expert Tip: The best thing to do is make sure that your tires are properly inflated and if they’re not, you should take them to an expert and have them checked.
Tire Pressure Monitor System’s main function is to monitor the pressure of all the tires with high precision. It’s very important to make sure that this system works well, otherwise, it could cause serious problems to your car or vehicle as well as the driver’s safety. In order to get a proper functioning tire pressure monitoring system, it needs a proper setup.
How Do I Clear The Tire Pressure Light?
To clear the tire pressure light, press the TPMS reset button and wait until the third blink of the pressure light. There are different TPMS reset procedures for different vehicles.
The button can be hidden in the dashboard or it is even harder to find – behind the glove compartment or inside the trunk. The TPMS reset procedure only takes a few seconds but can save you much money and time to get your car fixed by a mechanic.
Can I Drive With The Tire Pressure Light On?
Even though it is possible to drive with tire pressure lights on. It is not advisable as this indicates that there is an issue with your tires that needs to be addressed. Driving on under-inflated or damaged tires can be extremely dangerous and can lead to blowouts or other serious accidents.
If you see the tire pressure light come on while you are driving, pull over as soon as possible and check your tires to see if they need to be inflated or repaired.
However, it is still safe to drive with the TPMS light on as long as you are certain that all the tires are properly inflated. But if you hear a noise when you start your car, it is best to stop driving and gets them checked. If you are unsure of what to do, contact a professional mechanic for assistance.
What Will Happen If I Don’t Fix My Tire Pressure Light?
Driving with a tire pressure light on is dangerous and can cause accidents. In order to make sure that you and your car are safe, you should fix the issue in a reasonable amount of time whether it is getting the tires repaired or filling them up with more air.
However, if the tire pressure light came on because the sensors are damaged, then it would be best to have them fixed professionally rather than driving with a faulty tire pressure monitoring system.
Additionally, under-inflated tires can cause poor handling and reduced fuel efficiency, so it is important to address any issues with your tire pressure as soon as possible. To minimize the risks associated with a faulty tire pressure sensor, you should consult a mechanic for advice on how to best address the problem.
Best Maintenance Tips?
The TPMS uses the status of each tire’s pressure to inform the driver of potential problems. Keeping tire pressure at the recommended levels ensures that your tires are working properly for optimal performance, safety, and fuel efficiency.
TPMS systems require minimal maintenance but there are some things that you can do to make sure it works correctly.
- You should always replace the valve stem if you have to replace a tire or if it’s damaged. This will ensure that you are getting an accurate reading from the TPMS system.
- Always check the recommended pressure on your car’s window sticker, in your owner’s manual and doorjamb, as each made model and year may be different. For example, some cars can work without a TPMS while others need it to be working in order to use airbags and other safety features such as ABS or stability control systems.
- The lugs on the wheels should be tight enough to not fall out. If they do, it is recommended to have them replaced as soon as possible.
- Test the tire pressure in a safe and controlled manner before driving any distance; then do it again once you arrive at your destination. The first use of the system may produce a low-pressure warning due to the heat from when your vehicle was parked or driven.
- You should never let the tires get severely low or completely flat as this can result in additional problems with the tires and with the TPMS system.
- Driving on under-inflated, damaged, or improperly repaired tires can cause serious safety problems, so you should always check your tires regularly to make sure they are properly inflated and never let them get severely low.
- Check the tire pressure level often throughout the year to make sure that it is within the recommended range and that it’s not getting low.
- Keep tires clean from debris and from anything else that can disrupt their ability to perform correctly. A dirty tire will not have enough air to provide you with the correct amount of pressure; replacing worn or damaged lugs will also help ensure that your tires are performing optimally.
- If you have any problems with the TPMS system, it may be necessary to take your vehicle to a professional mechanic. They will be able to diagnose the issue and make any necessary repairs so that your tires and TPMS are working correctly.
- When replacing tires, make sure that they are at the same pressure as the rest of your tires. If you replace one tire with a different model, size, or brand, it can affect the performance of the TPMS system.
Regular maintenance of your car is important for safety and to keep it running efficiently. The TPMS is an important car part that ensures your tires are working properly and can save you from dangerous blowouts or accidents. In order to prevent any problems with the TPMS, you should always make sure that your tires are properly inflated and that they are in good condition.
Conclusion
If your tire pressure light is coming on despite the fact that your tires are in good condition, there may be a problem with the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) itself.
To clear any codes and reset the TPMS so that it can accurately monitor your tires, you will need to use a specialized tool like a tire pressure sensor reset tool. Once the system has been reset, drive your car for at least 20-30 minutes to allow it to recalibrate and update its readings.
If the light continues to come on or if you notice any other issues with your tires, contact a professional mechanic for further assistance.
In case you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.