TPMS — Tyre Pressure Monitoring System — has been mandatory on all new cars in the EU and UK since 2014. It's one of the most useful safety features on a modern car. It's also one of the most misunderstood. Drivers either ignore it entirely or panic unnecessarily. Here's what it actually means.
What Does the TPMS Light Look Like?
It's a yellow or orange symbol showing a cross-section of a tyre (like a horseshoe shape) with an exclamation mark inside it. On some vehicles it may say "TYRE" alongside it. If the light is solid, your pressure has dropped to a low level. If it flashes for 60–90 seconds before staying solid, there may be a fault with the TPMS sensors themselves rather than a pressure issue.
What Triggers It?
The TPMS light illuminates when one or more of your tyres drops approximately 25% below the manufacturer's recommended pressure. So if your tyres should be at 32 PSI and one drops to 24 PSI, the light comes on. This can happen because of:
- A slow puncture — nail, screw, glass, or valve failure gradually letting air out
- A sudden puncture or blowout — the light comes on immediately
- Natural pressure loss over time — tyres lose 1–2 PSI per month normally
- Temperature drop — cold weather significantly reduces tyre pressure
- A faulty or damaged TPMS sensor — usually indicated by a flashing light
Cold weather and TPMS: In winter, the TPMS light often appears on cold mornings and goes off after a few miles of driving. This is because cold air contracts, lowering tyre pressure enough to trigger the sensor. The tyre isn't necessarily damaged — but you should still check the pressures properly when cold.
What to Do When It Comes On
- Don't ignore it and don't panic. Pull over safely if possible or drive slowly to a petrol station
- Visually inspect all four tyres for obvious flats or damage
- Check the pressure on all four tyres with a gauge — the TPMS light doesn't tell you which tyre is low
- Inflate any low tyres to the correct pressure (found in your door jamb sticker)
- If the tyre can't hold pressure, you have a puncture — call us on 07814 095 395
Once you've corrected the pressure, the TPMS light may go off automatically after a few miles of driving, or you may need to reset it via your car's infotainment menu. Check your handbook — the reset process varies by manufacturer.
TPMS Sensor Problems
If the light flashes continuously or stays on even after you've correctly inflated all four tyres, the issue is likely a faulty sensor rather than a pressure problem. TPMS sensors are battery-powered (the battery lasts 5–10 years) and can fail due to age, corrosion, or physical damage from a pothole. A flashing TPMS light is a sensor fault rather than a tyre pressure warning.
If your TPMS light stays on after checking your pressures, your vehicle may need to see a main dealer or specialist for sensor diagnosis. We don't currently carry TPMS sensors — but we can help with any tyre-related issues causing the warning.
Can You Drive with the TPMS Light On?
You can drive carefully for a short distance to reach a safe place or a garage. You cannot ignore it and continue driving normally. A tyre that's 25% below pressure is already at risk — particularly at motorway speeds or in hot weather. Deal with it promptly. If you're unsure what's caused the light or can't get to a gauge, call us and we'll come to you.
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