What is the tire pressure light?
With the advent of electronics in modern cars, almost all components have been equipped with sensors that monitor their status and the presence of anomalies. Tires are no exception and for this reason they are equipped with sensors that measure their pressure and, in case of problems, turn on the tire pressure light, also called tire pressure light.
The tyre pressure light is almost always yellow and can come on steadily or intermittently (we will see the difference between the two modes later on). Graphically, it is represented by a section of a flat, sunken tyre with an exclamation mark inside it.
The tyre pressure light does not indicate an impending problem like the red lights, but is a warning of an anomaly in progress. Therefore, it is a good idea to stop immediately and check the cause of the tire pressure warning light.
Why does the tyre pressure warning light come on?
The tyre pressure warning light will illuminate ifa tyre malfunction is detected. The most common of these malfunctions is obviously a flat tyre. In this case the pressure drops below minimum levels and the sensor transmits a signal to the car's control unit, causing the tyre pressure warning light on the instrument panel to illuminate.
Each car model requires the tyres to be inflated to a certain pressure. The permanently lit tyre pressure warning light indicates that the tyre pressure has fallen below this level. Normally, the heavier the car, the higher the tyre pressure must be.
Many car models may also have a flashing tire pressure warning light and this indicates a different type of problem. So let's see what the flashing tire pressure light means.
What does it mean when the tire pressure light flashes?
The tire pressure light can also illuminate in flashing mode. This does not usually indicate a tyre pressure problem, but rather an abnormality ora fault in the tyre pressure sensor itself.
The tyre pressure warning light will illuminate to warn you that the tyre pressure sensor that is currently unable to measure tyre pressure correctly needs to be replaced. The tire pressure sensor can wear out over time, be damaged by heavy impacts or have a simple manufacturing defect.
Since there is no standard on what the tire pressure warning light means, the best advice is to go directly to a tire shop or garage. The mechanic will inspect the tyres and check if the problem is a flat tyre or a faulty sensor.
What should I do with a flat tyre warning light on?
If the tyre pressure warning light comes on while you are driving, you should react immediately. Normally, if the low tyre pressure warning light comes on due to a puncture, you will notice an immediate difference with the steering wheel.
The best thing to do with a tire pressure warning light is to pull over to the side of the road, or better yet in a parking lot, and check the condition of your tires. If a tire is obviously underinflated, then the tire should be replaced.
All cars are required by law to have a spare tire or a flat tire repair kit. In the first case you have to lift the car with the jack and change the tire. In the second case, it is usually necessary to spray the repair fluid into the tyre through the inflation nozzle. Then it is necessary to circulate to allow the liquid to spread inside the inner tube and close the hole.
Regardless of how you react to a lit tire pressure warning light, it is essential to go immediately to the tire shop or garage to resolve the problem.
What is the tyre pressure symbol?
The tyre pressure symbol is the same as the tyre pressure warning light. It is almost always the section of the flat tyre with an exclamation mark inside.
This symbol is almost always yellow because it is a warning of an abnormality in progress.
How do I reset the tire pressure warning light?
The easiest way to reset the tire pressure warning light to zero is to fix the problem that is causing it to come on. Simply go to the garage and have the tyres inflated or, in the worst case, replace the faulty tyre pressure sensor.
If the tyre pressure warning light stays on, there could be an anomaly inthe car's control unit, perhaps caused by incorrect remodelling of the car's control unit. In this case, the mechanic or electrician can connect to the control unit and cancel the warning light manually.
For a good mechanic equipped with the necessary tools, resetting the tyre pressure warning light is a matter of little time and is often done at no extra cost when checking the tyres or changing the winter tyres.
