If you drive, you’ve probably noticed the little exclamation point inside of a half-circle in the dashboard. F Flashing of the sign indicates that the pressure is below the safe levels up–either one or more of your tires have too high or low pressure.
What happens if you ignore this tire pressure light and continue driving?
Typically, the tire can cause a blowout. This could lead to the vehicle stopping in the middle of the road, which can endanger your safety. That’s exactly why drivers need to pay close attention to the warning signs. However, there are various reasons behind the tire warning light. Today, we will learn about the reasons for the blinking of the light and what to do.
Reasons for the Warning Light
Air Pressure Changes in Winter Can Also Be a Cause
The tire pressure warning light is closely related to the TPMS sensor installed within each tire that monitors specific pressure levels. When the tire pressure falls below a certain standard, this sensor illuminates the dashboard to indicate your vehicle has a history. The problem is that it’s difficult to understand the exact cause because it only deals with simple pressure.
Sudden temperature changes, TPMS sensor malfunctions, tire wear, or a flat tire can all be reasons if you spot the tire pressure light. For instance, extreme cold or hot temperatures can also be the reason why your TPMS light turns on. In winter, the temperature drops, causing the air inside the tire to contract and the air pressure to decrease. Therefore, in this case, if you fill the tire pressure at a nearby gas station or body shop, the tire pressure warning light will go off.
TPMS Sensor Malfunction
Tire Wear or Flat Tires
Other times, the tire pressure light can turn on and off due to any malfunctions in the sensors. The light may blink regardless of your tire pressure. The cause can be a malfunction in any part of the air pressure monitoring system, such as the module, sensor, or wiring. If the TPMS sensor fails, the tire’s air pressure cannot be measured, so you may drive without knowing if there is a puncture. Therefore, you must visit a repair shop to replace the TPMS sensor.
Lastly, another reason why your TPMS light may be blinking is because your tire may be damaged or worn out. The internal air can leak, causing the warning light to turn on. Also, when there is a flat tire, the warning light will show, so you should check the tire as soon as possible. If there is a small puncture in the tire, you can drive by patching or plugging the small puncture, but this is only a temporary solution, so you must replace it with a normal tire later.
Checking the Vehicle’s Appropriate Air Pressure
Lower in Summer, Higher in Winter
Checking the appropriate air pressure in your vehicle is simple. After opening the driver’s door, check the minimum and maximum air pressure values on the sticker attached on the right side. This sticker contains information about the standard air pressure, and you can check the appropriate air pressure according to the inches of the tire.
In summer, as the air pressure tends to increase, you should set it a bit lower than usual, and in winter, as the air pressure decreases, you should fill it in advance. Maintaining appropriate air pressure can improve a vehicle’s fuel efficiency and also help improve cornering. Above all, it will extend the lifespan of your tires so they can be used for a long time.
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