What Happens If I Ignore My Low Tire Pressure Warning Light?

All modern vehicles have a system that monitors tire pressure. The system has sensors that will alert you via a warning light when the tire pressure gets too low. What you might not know is that the indicator will show when the tire pressure has fallen by 25% below what the manufacturer recommends. This means you don't have to wait until the warning light shows before checking your tire pressure.

What if you ignore the warning light?

The warning light appears when the tire pressure is already below the safe levels. A tire with low pressure will flex more. This generates excess heat that will overheat the other components in the tire, causing them to break down. A faulty tire can cause a serious accident on the road.

Low pressure in the tire also reduces the efficiency of your car, meaning you'll spend more on fuel. The tire will also experience excess friction, causing it to wear out faster.

What you need to do when the warning light shows

When the warning light shows that your pressure is low, find a place to pack, then check the pressure in your tires. You may find out that only one tire lacks enough pressure, but it doesn't hurt to check. You can add more pressure to the tire or drive it to the closest place where the tire can get inflated.

Sometimes the tire pressure indicator may light up because of cold weather. When a tire gets too cold, the pressure indicator can light up. If that is the case, you can give it some time to go off. This will take just a few minutes.

If the light continuously blinks without remaining on, it could mean that your sensor has malfunctioned. The light can also keep flashing if you change a tire. The sensor may fail to detect the new wheel. Whatever the case, you need not take chances. Let your sensor be checked by a qualified mechanic.

If you need tire repair, we invite you to bring your vehicle to our auto repair shop today!