Why did the TPMS light come on for a while and then go off?
3 Answers
The reasons why the TPMS light comes on for a while and then goes off are: 1. Faulty tire pressure monitoring; 2. The tire temperature is too high during driving, causing the tire pressure to approach the upper limit. If the tire pressure does not continue to increase, the light may come on briefly and then go off. In either case, you should promptly get out of the car to check the tires and, if necessary, let the vehicle rest for a while before continuing to drive. Both excessively low and high tire pressure can affect the tire's lifespan and fuel consumption. Excessive tire pressure concentrates the vehicle's weight on the center of the tread, leading to rapid wear in that area. Insufficient tire pressure can cause uneven contact between the tire and the road, increasing wear, rolling resistance, and fuel consumption.
I've seen the TPMS light come on and off while driving many times, mainly due to changes in tire pressure. For example, in cold weather or rain, the tire pressure drops, triggering the warning light; after driving for a while, the tires warm up and the pressure returns, so the light goes off. Or, a sensor might be running low on battery, causing intermittent signals and false alarms. Don't ignore it—use a tire pressure gauge to check the cold pressure of all four tires, ensuring they're within the manufacturer's recommended range. If the issue keeps recurring, visit a professional shop to replace the sensor battery or recalibrate the system. Safety comes first—unstable tire pressure can be dangerous, especially at high speeds.
As a car enthusiast, I analyze that the key to the TPMS light briefly illuminating and then turning off lies in either system self-adjustment or sensor issues. The sensor triggers an alarm when it detects tire pressure below or above the set threshold, but after driving, friction-induced temperature rise restores pressure to normal, causing the display to return to normal. Another common reason is aging sensor batteries causing signal loss, especially in older vehicle models that are prone to such false signals. I recommend using a tire pressure gauge to check the cold tire pressure and resetting the system by referring to the manual; if the issue persists, it's best to visit a repair shop with diagnostic tools to read the fault codes for a solution.
