What does TPMS malfunction mean?
2 Answers
TPMS malfunction refers to a fault in the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. The TPMS warning light staying on may indicate that the air pressure in one of the tires is at a critical level or the sensor battery is low. If the TPMS warning light comes on while driving, you should immediately reduce speed, avoid sharp steering and sudden braking, and then check the tire pressure. Generally, when the tire pressure light comes on, it means there is an abnormality in the tire pressure, and the tire pressure sensor has detected incorrect pressure in one or more tires, causing the light to illuminate. Common reasons include: 1. The tire pressure sensor itself is faulty, causing the light to come on, or driving for too long with overinflated or underinflated tires; 2. A punctured tire, which usually leads to air leakage. If you can't identify which tire is affected, you can use a tire pressure gauge to measure the pressure.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I've frequently encountered situations where the TPMS warning light comes on. This indicates an issue with the vehicle's Tire Pressure Monitoring System, which prevents it from properly detecting tire pressure levels. It's quite an annoying fault because this system is designed to warn of low tire pressure risks to prevent excessive tire wear or blowouts. Common causes include depleted sensor batteries (typically lasting about 7 years), signal interference in the wiring, or system software errors. I remember one time when the light suddenly came on while I was on the highway—I pulled over to manually check the tire pressure, and thankfully it was just a false alarm. I recommend fellow drivers develop the habit of regularly self-checking with a tire pressure gauge. If the fault persists, visit a professional repair shop for diagnosis and part replacement—don't delay too long. Safe driving relies on paying attention to these small details.
