Tire pressure (TPMS) light: what it means and what to do

What it means

• The Tire Industry Association says the light comes on when one or more tires falls below 25% under the recommended pressure.
• Low pressure may mean the tire can't support the vehicle's load, or there's a leak that could lead to a flat or a dangerous tire failure.
• Blinking for about 90 seconds at startup, then staying on, means the system isn't monitoring your tires at all.

What to do

1. Check all tires with a gauge when cold and inflate to the pressure on the door-jamb placard (not the tire sidewall maximum).
2. Look for nails, cuts or a tire that keeps losing air.
3. If the light flashes and then stays on, have a tire professional diagnose the TPMS.

Sources

1. Tire Industry Association: Tire Pressure Monitoring System