Why is the tire pressure light on but the tires seem fine?
2 Answers
The tire pressure light indicates an abnormality in tire pressure, where the tire pressure sensor detects that one or more tires have abnormal pressure. It is recommended to visit a tire shop to check the tire pressure. After adjusting the tire pressure to normal, if the indicator light remains on, you can turn the ignition key to the on position and press and hold the tire pressure monitoring switch for a few seconds, and the indicator light will turn off. Methods to address the tire pressure light: Turn off the engine: Drive slowly to a safe place, park, and turn off the engine. Wait 1-2 minutes, then restart the vehicle. After the vehicle stabilizes, check the tire pressure value displayed on the dashboard. Drive to a car repair shop: Both underinflation and overinflation can trigger the tire pressure light. Drive slowly to a car repair shop or auto beauty shop to adjust the tire pressure. If you have a personal inflation device, you can adjust it on the spot. Inflate or deflate the tires: While inflating or deflating the tires, observe the tire pressure light on the dashboard. Stop inflating when the light turns off. If overinflated, release excess air (preferably with assistance). Manual reset: If the tire pressure light remains on after adjustment, a manual reset may be required. Locate the settings button on the car's central console, usually labeled "SET," to reset the tire pressure. Professional clearing: If the vehicle does not support manual operation, ensure the tire pressure is normal and have a technician use a specialized diagnostic tool to clear the fault code.
It's actually quite common to encounter a situation where the tire pressure light is on but the tires appear normal. This is usually the result of tire pressure being affected by temperature, such as sudden cold weather or uneven tire heating during driving, causing the sensor to misjudge. I've experienced this several times, especially when starting the car on winter mornings. In such cases, it's best to first use a tire pressure gauge to measure the actual pressure of each tire to see if it's truly low, as minor leaks that aren't visible to the naked eye can sometimes be deeply hidden. If the pressure is normal, it might be that the sensor's battery is running low or the system needs a reset. Remember not to panic and drive on the highway immediately; find a safe place to handle the situation. Having the technician check the sensors during regular maintenance can prevent such minor issues.
