TPMS and Tire Pressure Warning Light: What Lansing Drivers Need to Know
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light is one of the most commonly misunderstood dashboard indicators. It looks like a flat tire cross-section with an exclamation point, and when it comes on, it means at least one tire is significantly under-inflated. For Michigan drivers, the TPMS light comes on more often in fall and winter as temperatures drop — not because anything is wrong with the tires, but because cold air reduces pressure.
Quick Answer
TPMS light on = one or more tires is at least 25% below recommended pressure
Check pressure in all four tires — do not assume it is just one
In Michigan, cold weather drops tire pressure about 1 PSI per 10 degree temperature drop
Add air and the light usually resets on its own; if it stays on, the sensor may need service
A flashing TPMS light indicates a system fault, not just low pressure
What Triggers the TPMS Warning Light?
Federal law requires all vehicles sold in the US since 2007 to have a TPMS system. The warning light illuminates when tire pressure in one or more tires drops 25% or more below the manufacturer’s recommended level. If your recommended pressure is 35 PSI, the light will come on around 26 PSI or below.
The most common triggers in the Lansing area:
Seasonal temperature drop — pressure decreases as temperatures fall in fall and winter
Slow leak from a nail or screw in the tread
Natural pressure loss over time — tires lose about 1-2 PSI per month naturally
Recent tire service where pressure was not set correctly
Does Cold Weather Really Affect Tire Pressure?
Yes — significantly. For every 10 degrees Fahrenheit the temperature drops, tire pressure decreases by approximately 1 PSI. A tire set to 35 PSI in September, when daytime temperatures are in the 70s, may read 29-30 PSI on a morning in January when temperatures are in the 10s. That is enough to trigger the TPMS warning.
This is why the TPMS light so often appears on the first cold morning of the season. Add air to the correct pressure, and the light will typically turn off after a few miles of driving as the TPMS sensors confirm the pressure is within range.
What Pressure Should Your Tires Be Set To?
Use the pressure listed on the sticker inside the driver’s door jamb or in your owner’s manual. This is the manufacturer’s recommended pressure for your vehicle — not the maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall. The sidewall number is the tire’s maximum capacity, not the target pressure for your vehicle.
Check pressure when tires are cold — before driving more than a mile. A tire that has been driven on will read higher pressure due to heat buildup, which can give a false impression that pressure is correct.
What Does a Flashing TPMS Light Mean?
A TPMS light that flashes for about 60-90 seconds and then stays on solid indicates a fault in the TPMS system itself — a sensor that is not communicating, a dead sensor battery, or a sensor that was damaged or not reprogrammed after a tire service. This is different from a steady TPMS light caused by low pressure. A flashing light needs to be diagnosed — adding air will not fix it.
Do TPMS Sensors Need Service?
TPMS sensors have battery-powered transmitters with a finite lifespan — typically 7-10 years. When sensor batteries die, the sensor needs to be replaced. Sensors can also be damaged by road salt corrosion on the valve stem, or by improper tire changes that break the sensor housing.
When tires are replaced, TPMS sensors should be inspected and the system should be relearned to the new tire positions. At Affordable Tires & Auto Repair, TPMS service is included as part of any tire installation.
Built on Trust, Driven by Standards
When you bring your vehicle in for tire service at Affordable Tires & Auto Repair, we check TPMS sensor condition as part of the process. If a sensor is failing or was not properly programmed after a previous service, we will catch it. We also set tire pressures to spec at installation and include the information on your service receipt.
FAQ
My TPMS light came on but all tires look fine — should I still check pressure?
Yes — always. A tire can be significantly underinflated without appearing visibly flat. Check pressure with a gauge in all four tires.
I added air and the light is still on — what now?
If you added air to the correct pressure and drove a few miles, the light should reset. If it stays on, one of the TPMS sensors may have a fault. Bring it in for a TPMS diagnostic.
Do I need new TPMS sensors when I get new tires?
Not necessarily — existing sensors can often be reused. However, if sensors are old or showing corrosion, it is worth replacing them at the same time since the labor for sensor replacement is minimal when tires are already off the vehicle.
Affordable Tires & Auto Repair — Lansing, MI
Whether your TPMS light is on or you just want your tire pressures checked, stop by Affordable Tires & Auto Repair. We serve drivers in Lansing, East Lansing, Okemos, Haslett, Holt, DeWitt, and the surrounding area.