Is Tire Pressure Warning Dangerous?
3 Answers
Tire pressure warning is a dangerous signal, indicating abnormal tire pressure in the car. You should pull over and check the tire pressure. If equipped with a tire pressure gauge or tire pressure monitor, you can check whether the pressure in all four tires is too high or too low, causing the warning. To prevent false alarms from the tire pressure monitor, it is best to use a tire pressure gauge to measure the pressure in all four tires. When the tire pressure warning activates, here's what you can do: Tire puncture causing the tire pressure warning: If the tire is punctured and the air leaks slowly, you can drive at a low speed to the nearest repair shop for assistance. Do not immediately remove the nail, as this could cause more severe air leakage, making the car unable to continue driving. Long-distance driving or lack of tire pressure replenishment causing the tire pressure warning: If driving for a long time, the tire temperature will rise, increasing the tire pressure and triggering the warning. In this case, you can stop and wait for the tires to cool down naturally before continuing, or switch to a spare tire. If the tire pressure has not been replenished for a long time, you can use a car inflator to refill the tires to the normal range for continued driving. Tire pressure sensor malfunction causing the tire pressure warning: If the warning is due to a faulty tire pressure sensor, you should drive the vehicle to a 4S shop or authorized repair center to use a diagnostic tool to read the fault information and then clear it.
I've been driving a taxi for over 20 years, and tire pressure warnings are indeed very dangerous. Once the light comes on, it means the pressure in one of the tires has deviated from the normal range, most commonly being too low or too high, which can lead to tire blowouts, vehicle drifting, or brake failure. Last year, I experienced it once when I ignored the warning light, and the tire blew out on the highway, nearly causing a crash. Regular tire pressure checks are crucial. I use a portable pressure gauge to check monthly, especially when the weather turns cold, as temperature drops can lower tire pressure, making the alarm more likely to trigger. If there's a puncture causing air leakage, timely repairs are much cheaper than replacing the tire. Safety first—never ignore the warning light to avoid causing a major accident.
As someone who has worked on cars for years, a tire pressure warning is absolutely a serious alert. The TPMS system is designed to prevent problems before they occur - when the light comes on due to abnormal pressure, it could indicate a tire leak, aging valve stem, or sensor malfunction. What's the danger? Underinflation causes tire deformation and overheating, risking blowouts at high speeds; overinflation reduces traction, increasing braking distance by over 20% on wet roads. I recommend pulling over immediately to check with a pressure gauge. The correct PSI is listed on the door jamb sticker - never guess. Common false alarms include debris in tires or dead sensor batteries, but never ignore it. Early intervention prevents major trouble.
