TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System. This light illuminates when a car tire losses pressure. In other words, it will start to blink if any of your tires is underinflated. However, you will either find this light staying constant and solid, or blinking. Both of these indications mean different things.
Difference between Solid and Flashing
If your vehicle was manufactured before September 2007, then there is a good chance that your car does not have a TPMS light. This is because the authorities did not mandate this feature as a necessary production before September 2007. If the TPMS light is solid, you may also notice a cheater message along with it. Sometimes this message can be very clear and indicate the tire that is low on pressure.
Therefore, a solid TPMS signal simply means that you have to add air to a specific tire. On the other hand, if the TPMS lamp is flashing, this indicates that there is a fault somewhere in the TPMS system. This fault can either be inside a sensor, or it can be either be a problem in one of the modules.
In the flashing instance, it is best that you hire a technician to inspect the car. This is largely because your car will likely require a more thorough diagnosis. In short, if the light is on solid, it lets you know that a tire has low air pressure. Alternatively, if the light is flashing, the car indicates a system malfunction and not exactly a tire fault.
What to do if you see the TPMS light in your Car?
When the TPMS light comes on, this is an indication that your tire pressure is low. To find out about the correct optimum pressure of your tire, you can check your car’s manual. Typically, the pressure ranges at about 32 PSI. To check the pressure, you can simply use a tire gauge to check the pressure. Once you inflate the tires to the optimum pressure, you can turn the car on and check whether the TPMS light turns on.
Normally, you will find that the TPMS light will disappear. If the TPMS light is still turned on, then this indicates that the sensor is still on. Solutions that address TPMS sensor malfunction include replacements of the TPMS sensors inside the tire.
This sensor sends a wireless signal to the car’s computer. If the air pressure is low, the computer will read the signal from the sensor, and in response, it will turn the light on. There is usually a plastic housing around the sensor. Putting a new sensor requires a technician to un-mount the particular tire.
Next time you see an icon of a tire with an exclamation mark inside it, you should know that your tire air pressure is low. This icon is the TPMS light, and it allows you to quickly address air pressure problems. Without the right pressure, you can run into serious risks.