Why does the tire pressure warning light come on?
2 Answers
Tire pressure warning indicates that the air pressure in the four tires is outside the normal range, usually caused by slow air leakage, punctures (like a nail), insufficient inflation, or excessive tire pressure. Tire pressure refers to the air pressure inside the tire, and its level plays a crucial role in the vehicle's performance and power. Tires are typically mounted on metal rims, supporting the vehicle body, absorbing external shocks, maintaining contact with the road surface, and ensuring driving performance. Tires operate under complex and demanding conditions, enduring various deformations, loads, forces, and temperature extremes during use. Therefore, they must possess high load-bearing capacity, traction performance, and shock absorption capabilities.
A few days ago, while driving back to my hometown, the tire pressure warning light suddenly came on, giving me quite a scare. After pulling over to check, I found the left front tire pressure was only 28 psi, significantly lower than the normal 32 psi. Turned out there was a small crack on the tire sidewall, possibly caused by highway driving damage. I tried inflating it, but the air leaked out quickly, forcing me to call a tow truck to take it to a repair shop for patching. Normally, cold weather can also cause pressure drops triggering alarms, so I bought a handheld pressure gauge to keep in the glove compartment, checking weekly to ensure it stays between 30-35 psi. Low tire pressure isn't just dangerous—it increases fuel consumption and accelerates wear, so don't wait for the warning to take action. Remember to check the spare tire pressure too, to avoid issues when you need it in an emergency.
