Do you recognize this symbol in the photo above? It lights up in your instrument panel. It resembles a U-shaped pictograph with treads & an exclamation point in the middle.
Do you think you know what it means now? If you guessed a low tire-pressure warning, you are right. If you could not recognize the symbol, that’s also understandable since one out of three drivers do not, according to Schrader, a company that makes tire pressure monitoring systems.
The warning for the TPMS lights up when one or more of your vehicle’s tires is 25% below the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. This system is now mandatory on all vehicles starting with the 2008 model year.
The reason I am posting this message is there seems to be a lack of public knowledge on this issue and a big lack in education on the warning symbol itself and what it means, it is supposed to be “dummy proof “or “idiot proof” and understandable across a wide variety of cultures and languages. Yet 46% of drivers can not figure out that the icon represents a tire and 14% thought the symbol represented another problem with the vehicle. Low pressure will affect your braking, acceleration, stability, cornering and fuel economy.
At Colorado Auto Body we understand TPMS function and have to inspect and correct all the time. Especially if your vehicle has been in an accident. This TPMS can come on even though your tires are set to the correct pressure. TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SENSOR may have to be diagnosed & have sensors inspected & possibly replaced and vehicle computer reset.
Very cold weather may cause the tire pressure to go down and temporarily show the TPMS sensor indicator on your dash for awhile. This will usually correct itself as the temperature goes back up.
(Many factors affect tire pressure including ambient temperature changes and tire damage such as punctures. Tire pressure drops about 1 psi for every 10 degrees F drop in ambient temperature. Additionally, tires lose as much as 1.5 psi per month as air escapes the tire and rim naturally goes back up.)
Please remember to keep an eye on this because low tire pressure can lead to all sorts of problems and potential accidents. If the light stays on please have your tire pressure checked.
