Tire Pressure Light On? What to Check
The tire pressure light, a horseshoe shape with an exclamation point, means at least one tire is well below its recommended pressure. It often comes on during the first cool morning of the season, but it can also mean a slow leak.
If a tire looks visibly flat, you hear a flapping or thumping noise, or the car pulls hard to one side, pull over somewhere safe. Driving on a very low tire can damage it beyond repair and affects braking and handling.
Quick checks you can do safely
What's usually behind it
Still not sure? Let us take a look.
These checks can point you in the right direction, but a proper diagnosis needs the right equipment. We'll find the actual cause and explain it before recommending any work.
Tire Pressure Light On: common questions
Why does the light come on when it's cold and go off later?
Air pressure drops as the temperature drops, so a tire that's slightly low can trip the light on a cold morning. As the tire warms up from driving, the pressure rises and the light can go out. Topping the tires up to the door-jamb pressure usually fixes it.
One tire keeps losing air. Can it be patched?
Often, yes. A nail or screw in the main tread area can usually be repaired. Damage on the sidewall or near the shoulder usually means the tire needs to be replaced.
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. Every vehicle is different, and our technicians will confirm the cause before recommending repairs. Serving Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills and nearby communities.