Why does the tire pressure monitoring suddenly display bar?
4 Answers
The display of bar indicates low tire pressure in the car, and it is necessary to check if the tire is leaking. Below is an introduction to bar-related content: 1. Conversion: Generally, car tire pressure is around 2.5bar, and 1bar equals 100kpa. 2. Unit: Common units for car tire pressure on vehicles are bar and kpa, and the tire pressure display is used to show the current tire pressure. 3. Lifespan: Both excessively high and low tire pressure can affect the lifespan of the tire. When the tire pressure is too low, the tire body expands, making the sidewalls prone to cracks. It also increases the tire's contact area with the ground, accelerating tire wear.
I often help friends check their cars recently, and the tire pressure monitoring suddenly displays BAR, which is actually the unit of tire pressure showing normal or abnormal readings. The most common reason is a sudden drop in outside temperature. Cold air in autumn and winter can cause tire pressure to decrease, and the sensor detects the pressure change and displays a BAR value warning you that the tire pressure is below the standard range. For example, after parking overnight, you might see a warning when you start the car. Another possibility is an issue with the sensor itself, such as a dead battery in the sensor, a flat tire, or slow leaks caused by a puncture, which would make the sensor continuously display BAR to remind you to inflate or check the tires. I recommend using a handheld tire pressure gauge to measure all four tires first to confirm if the pressure is indeed low. If the readings are normal, it means the system gave a false alarm, and restarting the vehicle or resetting the system settings might resolve it. Don’t delay—low tire pressure affects handling and safety, increasing the risk of a blowout.
The TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) displaying BAR unit suddenly lighting up may indicate low or abnormal tire pressure. From a safety perspective, this is dangerous because insufficient tire pressure can cause tire deformation, making it prone to skidding or blowouts when driving at high speeds. Having driven for many years, common causes include temperature drops leading to thermal contraction, or a small puncture in the tire causing slow air leakage. It is recommended that you pull over immediately and manually check each tire to see if it's flat. If it's not obvious, go to a repair shop to measure the pressure and refill the air. If this happens frequently, it might be due to a faulty sensor or depleted battery that needs replacement. Regular tire pressure maintenance is crucial; using a tire pressure gauge to self-check once a month can help avoid unexpected issues.
In my first year of driving, I also encountered the BAR warning from the tire pressure monitoring system, mainly due to changes in air pressure. For example, when the temperature drops or after a long-distance drive, the tires expand and contract with heat, and the sensitive sensors may trigger an alarm showing the BAR value. Additionally, poor road conditions or hitting potholes can also activate the sensor to display abnormalities. It’s crucial to slow down immediately and check to ensure driving safety.
