Tire pressure (TPMS) light
Also called: TPMS light, low tire light
One or more tires is low, or the tire pressure system has a fault.
What it means
A steady TPMS light means at least one tire is 25% or more below its recommended pressure. If it flashes for about a minute at startup and then stays on, the monitoring system itself has a fault, often a dead sensor battery. Your correct pressure is on the sticker in the driver's door jamb, not on the tire sidewall.
Green, yellow, red: three ways this can look
Match your situation to the closest example.
Keep an eye on it
It came on during the first cold morning of the season. Cold air drops pressure; fill to the door jamb number and it goes out.
Schedule a repair
It keeps coming back, or one tire is always lower. You likely have a slow leak from a nail or a leaking valve. Get it fixed before it goes flat.
Stop and get help
A tire looks visibly low, the car pulls, or you hear flapping. Pull over. Driving on a very low tire can destroy it and cause a blowout.
Common causes
- Cold weather lowering pressure
- Slow leak from a nail or screw
- Leaking valve stem or bead
- Dead TPMS sensor battery (flashing light)
- Sensor not programmed after a tire change
What to do right now
- Check all four tires with a gauge when cold
- Fill to the pressure on the driver's door jamb sticker
- Drive a few miles; the light should go out
- Flashing then steady means a sensor fault, not low air
Related guides
Symbols and meanings vary a little by make and model. Your owner's manual has the exact meaning for your vehicle.
Other warning lights
Questions
What does the tire pressure (tpms) light mean?
One or more tires is low, or the tire pressure system has a fault. A steady TPMS light means at least one tire is 25% or more below its recommended pressure. If it flashes for about a minute at startup and then stays on, the monitoring system itself has a fault, often a dead sensor battery. Your correct pressure is on the sticker in the driver's door jamb, not on the tire sidewall.
Can I keep driving with the tire pressure (tpms) light on?
Green: It came on during the first cold morning of the season. Cold air drops pressure; fill to the door jamb number and it goes out. Yellow: It keeps coming back, or one tire is always lower. You likely have a slow leak from a nail or a leaking valve. Get it fixed before it goes flat. Red: A tire looks visibly low, the car pulls, or you hear flapping. Pull over. Driving on a very low tire can destroy it and cause a blowout.
What causes the tire pressure (tpms) light?
Common causes: cold weather lowering pressure; slow leak from a nail or screw; leaking valve stem or bead; dead TPMS sensor battery (flashing light).
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