Why Your Tire Pressure Light Keeps Coming On (And What to Actually Do)
That annoying little tire icon on your dashboard? It’s trying to tell you something. That something is the air pressure in your tire is low. Or there is a problem with the sensor itself.
Weather
Tire pressure is directly correlated to the temperature in the air outside. Some tires lose 1-2 PSI for every 10°F drop in temperature. So when October rolls around and it goes from 70° to 40° overnight, your perfectly fine tires suddenly trigger the light.
Or you've got a slow leak. A tiny nail you didn't notice, a worn-out valve stem, or just a bad seal. Either way, air is sneaking out and your car’s calling you out.
Or the sensor is dying. Those things run on batteries that last about 5-10 years. When they're done, they're done.
What to Do First
Grab a tire gauge (the $5 kind works fine) and check your pressure when the tires are cold—before you drive anywhere. The correct PSI is on a sticker inside your driver's door. Not on the tire itself. That's the max, not the target.
Most cars want 32-35 PSI. Fill them up at a gas station, reset the light, and you're good.
If the light comes right back on, you've got a leak. Get it checked before you're buying a whole new tire.
If it's just the weather, congrats—your car is working as designed. Fill them up and move on with your life.
Why You Should Care
Low tire pressure kills your gas mileage (like 3-5%), wears out your tires faster, and makes your car handle like garbage in the rain. High pressure isn't great either.
Five minutes and costs nothing. You get better gas mileage, your tires last longer, and that annoying light goes away.
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