Tyre Pressure Warning Light On: What To Do
The tyre pressure warning light is a yellow symbol that looks like a flat tyre with an exclamation mark. It means your car's tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) has detected a problem. It is not something to ignore, but it does not always mean an emergency either.
Why the TPMS light comes on
- Low pressure: one or more tyres are under-inflated. This is the most common cause, and pressure drops naturally in cold weather.
- A slow puncture: a nail or screw can leak air for days before the tyre looks flat.
- A faulty or flat-battery sensor: direct systems use a sensor in each wheel. These have batteries that eventually run out.
- Recently changed tyres or wheels: the system may need resetting or the sensors may not have been transferred.
Steady light or flashing light?
A steady light normally means pressure is low. A light that flashes for about a minute when you start the car and then stays on usually points to a fault in the system itself, such as a sensor that is not communicating.
What to do
- Pull over safely and look at all four tyres for obvious damage.
- Check the pressure with a gauge when the tyres are cold and inflate to the figure in your handbook or on the door-frame sticker.
- Drive a short distance. Many cars clear the light by themselves once pressure is correct; some need a reset procedure.
- If the light returns within a day or two, you probably have a slow puncture or a failing sensor.
When to call a mobile fitter
If a tyre keeps losing air, has a visible nail or bulge, or the light will not clear, have it inspected. Our mobile puncture repair can locate and fix a leak where the damage is repairable, and our TPMS valve and sensor replacement covers sensor faults at your home or workplace.
Related guides: how to check tyre pressure and tyre pressure in cold weather.