Every fall, we hear the same thing: "My tire pressure light just came on and I haven't hit anything." In most cases, the culprit isn't damage — it's temperature.
The simple physics behind it
Tire pressure drops as the air inside the tire cools, roughly 1 PSI for every 5–6°C drop in temperature. A tire set to the correct pressure on a warm September afternoon can easily be several PSI low by the time overnight temperatures hit single digits — enough to trigger your TPMS warning light.
Why you shouldn't just ignore it
Underinflated tires wear unevenly, reduce fuel efficiency, and are more vulnerable to sidewall and puncture damage — exactly the kind of damage that can turn a repairable tire into one that needs replacing. A light that stays on consistently is worth checking rather than dismissing as "just the weather."
What to do when the light comes on
- Check your tire pressure when the tires are cold (before driving, or at least a few hours after), and compare it to the PSI listed on the sticker inside your driver's door — not the number on the tire itself.
- Top up all four tires evenly, including the spare if it's monitored.
- If the light comes back on quickly or only affects one tire, that can point to a slow leak rather than just cold weather, and it's worth having it inspected.
If your TPMS light won't clear, or you'd rather have a technician check it for you, book a TPMS service and we'll inspect and correct your tire pressure at your location.