How Cold Weather Affects Your Tire Pressure
The Tire Pressure Warning Light often called the TPMS Light, Low Tire Pressure Light or The Tire Pressure Light is designed to warn you of a potential problem with your tires, tire pressures or the tire pressure monitoring system. This light can come on for several reasons. Two common reasons are due to a sudden change in temperature when the weather outside turns colder or a loss of air due to a leak. When the outside temperature drops, the air in the tire contracts, and the yellow Tire Pressure Warning Light will often come on. The pressure in your tires will decrease by 1 PSI for every 10 degree drop in temperature. If this is the case, it can be corrected simply by adjusting the tire pressure to the manufacture’s specifications found on the door jamb. If the TPMS light is blinking after starting the engine, this indicates there is a fault with a sensor and/or a communication issue within the system. If your Tire Pressure Light comes on for any reason, it is important to have your tire pressure checked as soon as possible.
If you see your Tire Pressure Warning Light on, feel free to stop in and have one of our ASE Certified Technicians check your tire pressures. There is no need to stop by a gas station convenience store to use the community air hose, we will do this for you at no charge. We find that the community air hoses tend to be inaccurate which prevents the tire pressure system from resetting. If while checking your tire pressure we find you need a tire repair or a tire pressure sensor replacement, we can in most cases perform the repair while you wait. If it requires additional labor to diagnose the tire pressure system or perform the tire pressure system reset procedure, we will gladly schedule an appointment for you to have it corrected at your convenience.