Can You Still Drive When the Tire Pressure Monitoring Alarm Goes Off?
3 Answers
Tire pressure monitoring alarm still allows you to drive, but you should avoid high speeds and drive as slowly as possible. Find a place to stop as soon as possible to check the reason for the alarm. If the tire pressure monitoring light is on due to a punctured tire, this usually indicates a very slow air leak, making it difficult to immediately identify which tire is affected. In this case, you can use a tire pressure gauge to measure the pressure—2.3 for the front tires and 2.5 for the rear tires. If the pressure is low, refill it and then observe the tire pressure warning light. If the light comes on again after a few days, you may need to remove the tire for inspection. Installing a tire pressure monitoring alarm in your car to monitor tire pressure in real-time can help prevent accidents caused by abnormal tire pressure.
I've been driving for over 20 years and safety is my top priority. Never ignore the tire pressure monitoring system warning light. Abnormal tire pressure – whether too high or too low – increases braking distance and makes the car prone to losing control during turns. It's especially dangerous on highways where improper pressure could cause blowouts and accidents. A friend of mine once kept driving despite the warning and ended up with a tire blowout that damaged the undercarriage. I always pull over immediately to check tire pressure when alerted. The normal range (usually printed on the door jamb) is typically 2.3 to 2.5 bar – any deviation affects vehicle balance. I keep a portable tire pressure gauge in my car for such situations. If the pressure is significantly off, call for roadside assistance rather than risking it. Remember: driving safety is infinitely more important than punctuality. Regular tire maintenance also helps reduce false alarms.
As an experienced long-distance driver, I'm quite familiar with tire pressure warnings and don't panic when they occur, but immediate action is necessary. I find a safe spot to pull over and carefully inspect the tires for obvious leaks or punctures. If nothing's visible, I use a pressure gauge to check - the normal range is typically 2.4 to 2.8 bar. If it's slightly off, I'll drive slowly to the nearest repair shop, avoiding highways and sudden braking to prevent further damage. For serious leaks, I either change to the spare tire or call for a tow truck. Sometimes warnings are just sensor errors caused by temperature changes - in such cases, I reset the system and monitor the situation. The key is to stay cautious but not overreact - careful driving solves most issues, but negligence can be costly.