By Makenzie Crutcher on October 27, 2021 in Life Hacks
There’s a lot to learn about cars, and we understand it can be daunting if you’re just a get-in-and-drive-to-work type of person. That’s where we come in.
What does TPMS mean in a car?
Short answer: Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Long answer: As defined by Firestone, “A system in your vehicle designed to notify you when your tires are under-inflated.” While the specific sensors and systems vary based on vehicle make and model, the main purpose is the same.
What does the TPMS light look like and what does it mean?
Here’s the warning light to look for. Your light will typically be yellow or orange, but we wanted to add a little Say flair, so ours is magenta.
The light activates when one (or more) of your tires has low pressure or is under-inflated. So, if you see that little light pop up, it’s best to pull over as soon as possible and check each tire’s air pressure. Stopping at a gas station would be helpful since they usually have free (or cheap) air pumps!
Pro Tip: Keep a tire pressure gauge in your car at all times so you can check each tire quickly if your TPMS light comes on.
Once you’re safely stopped, reference the inside of the driver’s door or the owner’s manual to find out what psi is normal for your tires. You will want to inflate your tire to somewhere in this range. Tire pressure normally fluctuates several psi with weather changes, so if you’re traveling somewhere warmer/cooler – there may be a slight change. However, if the change is more than a couple psi or if the psi is rapidly declining, you might have a leak. You’ll need to fix the leak, or your tire will eventually go flat.
If you think your TPMS sensor might be off, don’t hesitate to ask your mechanic or local tire shop to investigate it. Remember when it turned on, how long it was on, and if it blinked or turned solid. This information will help the professionals find the problem.
Conclusion
Overall, it’s important to know the TMPS light means your tires need checked. Don’t wait or you will risk long-term car damage.
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