House Grail is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.
Why is My Tire Pressure Light Blinking? Reasons, Fixes & FAQs
Pete Ortiz
Last updated:
If a yellow light suddenly pops up on your dashboard, signaling there is low pressure in your tires, you may need to investigate right away. There are many potential reasons why the tire pressure light may blink, and it is crucial to act fast in finding out the cause.
In this article, we’ve included some helpful information on making quick diagnostics of why the tire pressure light may be blinking and how to fix the problem yourself. Make sure to read carefully, as the tire pressure light blinking may be pointing out some serious issues that you shouldn’t ignore.
What’s a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)?
A tire pressure monitoring system is a system that monitors the optimal pressure in your tires and alerts you if there are any faults or anomalies. The pressure in your tires has to be perfect for the entire system to function correctly. If your tires are underinflated or overinflated, the tire pressure light will start blinking on your dashboard, alerting you of the potential problem.
The tire pressure monitoring system is meant to track the optimal pressure in your tires and warn you if there are any significant changes. It will begin to warn you if the pressure in your tires is too low or too high, and when the tire pressure is not at an optimal level, it can lead to severe damage or accidents. Driving with an underinflated tire can significantly affect your driving and handling, so it is crucial to act fast when the tire pressure light turns on.
Why Does My Tire Pressure Light Blink?
The tire pressure light will most often turn on only when a serious problem occurs with your tires. If your tires get deflated during driving, you will depend on this signal to warn you in time and prevent any potential accident. There are a few reasons why your tire pressure light keeps blinking. The most common reason is an issue with the actual pressure in your tires, although the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) may also simply be faulty. Whatever may be the reason behind this signal turning on, you will need to do further investigation to solve whichever problem your tires are facing.
Image Credit: Piqsels
Low pressure in the tire
The tire pressure monitoring system will start warning you if the tire pressure reaches levels lower than recommended. This warning can occur for many reasons, and usually, it is the fact that tires lose air pressure after a while, but there may also be a leak causing the pressure in your tires to drop. Whatever the cause of the pressure dropping, you must stop driving immediately and check the tire pressure with a pressure gauge.
Tire pressure dropping for no apparent reason is a common occurrence, especially if you haven’t driven your car in a while, so check the pressure frequently to ensure it is optimal. The optimal pressure in the tires should match the level recommended by the tire manufacturer, meaning that the light will probably stay on until the tire pressure reaches the recommended level.
Faulty TPMS
Another common reason for the tire pressure light blinking is the faulty tire pressure monitoring system. Although this may seem simpler than having low pressure in the tire, it can be pretty serious. The light may blink for about a minute and then stay turned on for the entire drive, or it may never turn on, even when you have a flat tire. All these symptoms point out to a faulty TPMS.
A properly working tire pressure monitoring system is crucial for a vehicle’s safety since it points out problems that need fixing as soon as possible.
Is it Safe to Drive With The TPMS Light Blinking?
Driving with the TPMS light on can be a considerable safety hazard because the light is usually pointing out a serious problem, which is why it is not safe nor recommended to drive with the pressure light on. Ignoring the signal of a problem with your tire’s pressure can result in poor performance and an inability to handle the vehicle properly. Most of the time, the tire pressure light will turn on only when an issue with your tires occurs and needs to be fixed immediately. If something like this happens to you, make sure to slow down your vehicle and safely come to a stop. Check the tire pressure to make sure it is on the optimal level.
If the tire pressure is ideal, another issue with your tire pressure monitoring system may need to be resolved as soon as possible.
Image Credit: aLL LunLa, Shutterstock
How to Fix the TPMS Light Blinking
Before resetting your TPMS, make sure there are no issues with your tires or vehicle. There are a couple of ways to reset the tire pressure light when it’s blinking for no apparent reason. Make sure to check the spare tire as well, as it may also have a pressure sensor. Here are a few ways to quickly reset the tire pressure monitoring system, which is located under your steering wheel.
Inflate your tires above the recommended pressure level, deflate them completely, then inflate them again to an optimal level
Drive above 50 miles per hour for 10 minutes
Disconnect the positive battery cable to discharge any power that’s stored in the vehicle
Hold the TPMS reset button until it blinks three times
Take your vehicle to the repair shop
Final Thoughts
If the pressure in your tires reaches levels that are too low for safe driving, the tire pressure light will turn on or keep blinking until you inflate to a recommended pressure level. Even though this little signal may be annoying if it blinks for no reason, it is still important to investigate potential problems when that light starts blinking.
Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. Fascinated by all sort of tools, Pete loves reading and writing about all the latest gadgets and accessories that hit the market. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing.
As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden.
