Why does the Volkswagen tire pressure warning light stay on when the tire pressure is normal?
2 Answers
When the Volkswagen tire pressure warning light stays on despite normal tire pressure, turn on the power to allow the vehicle to perform a self-check; then press and hold the tire pressure monitoring button in front of the gearshift lever to reset it. Tire pressure refers to the air pressure inside the tires, which acts as the 'blood pressure' of a car. The level of tire pressure plays a crucial role in the vehicle's performance and power. Hazards of overinflated tires: Reduced tire friction and adhesion, affecting braking performance; causes steering wheel vibration and pulling, reducing driving comfort; accelerates uneven wear of the tread center, shortening tire lifespan; increases vehicle vibration, indirectly affecting the lifespan of other components; overstretches the tire cords, reducing elasticity and increasing the load on the vehicle during driving. Hazards of underinflated tires: Increases friction with the road surface, leading to higher fuel consumption; makes the steering wheel heavy and prone to pulling, compromising driving safety; increases movement of tire components, causing abnormal heat due to excessive rolling; weakens the function of cords and rubber, leading to delamination or cord breakage, and excessive friction with the rim, resulting in bead damage and abnormal wear.
My Volkswagen Golf has been running for three years. During the last long trip, the tire pressure warning light suddenly came on, which gave me a scare. I quickly pulled over to check and found that the tire pressure in each tire was normal. I asked the mechanic, who said system malfunctions are common—the tire pressure sensor might be out of battery or calibration issues, especially when temperatures fluctuate between hot and cold, minor variations can easily trigger false alarms. He suggested trying a reset by holding down the reset button, which is located near the steering wheel settings. If the reset doesn’t work, I’d need to visit the shop to diagnose the sensor’s condition. False alarms are annoying, but it’s important not to ignore them—if a real issue arises, it might be too late. I regularly check tire pressure to ensure safety, as tire conditions at high speeds are critical for my family’s lives.