Learning how to clear your tire pressure light can help you avoid unnecessary automotive repairs and can save you money. In this article, we’ll teach you how to do your own tire pressure checks, what causes some cars to flash their light, and other helpful tips for avoiding problems.
Tire Pressure Light
If your car has a warning light that comes on when the tire pressure is too low, here’s how to clear it:
- Open the drivers door and press and hold the gas pedal to the floorboards while turning the key to the “on” position.
- Release the gas pedal and wait two seconds. And start engine for 2 minutes.
- Check your tire pressure using a gauge. It should be at or above 36 psi (psi is short for pounds per square inch). If not, repeat steps 1-4.
What it means when your tire pressure light comes on
When your tire pressure light comes on, it could mean one of a few things. The light could be telling you that your tires are underinflated, or that they’re inflated too high. Check your tire pressure and make sure it’s correct according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. If it still doesn’t turn off after you adjust your air pressure, then there may be something else wrong with your vehicle and you should take it to a mechanic.
Common causes of a low tire pressure light
If your car has a low tire pressure light, there could be a number of reasons why. Here are some of the most common:
- Deflation:
If your tires are significantly deflated, they will not hold as much air and the car will detect this and display a low tire pressure warning. Sometimes, if you don’t drive your car for a while, the air in the tires will deflate further and cause the light to come on again. To fix this, you’ll need to inflate your tires to their proper pressure.
- Low air pressure:
Make sure that both air pressure in your tires and the inflation pressure on your vehicle’s inflator are within the correct ranges. On many cars, you can check your air pressure by looking for an indication light next to the tire gauge or by pressing the “check” button on your car’s dashboard infotainment system.
- Flat or cracked tire:
A flat or cracked tire can lead to poor road traction and trigger the low tire pressure warning on your car’s computer. In order to fix this, you’ll need to replace the flat or cracked tire with a new one.
- Low alignment:
If your vehicle’s alignment is off, it can cause uneven wear on certain parts of your tires which can eventually lead to them losing air pressure and displaying a low tire-pressure warninglight. In order to fix this issue, have a professional alignment done at a mechanic shop.
Tips to clear your tire pressure light
If your car has a tire pressure light, you may be able to clear it by following these tips:
- Check the air pressure in all of your tires. If one or more are low, you will need to add air.
- Remove any objects that may be blocking the valve stem on the inflation pump.
- Clean the area around the valve stem with a damp cloth and soapy water.
- Inflate all of your tires to their maximum capacity using the inflation pump. Be sure to hold down the levers while inflating each tire to ensure consistent pressure throughout the system.
- Release the levers after each tire has been inflated and check for leaks before returning any of them to their original position on the wheel.(For best results, use an electric pump rather than a gas-powered one.)
How to avoid a low tire pressure light
If your car’s tire pressure warning light comes on and stays on, it may be because the pressure in one or more of your tires is low. Here are some tips to help you fix the problem and avoid having to take your car to a mechanic:
- Check the air pressure in all four tires. The gauge should be set to read 30 PSI (pounds per square inch).
- If one or more of the tires is significantly below the recommended psi level, inflate them as much as possible using a household compressor. Be sure to use caution and wear eye protection when inflating tires, as compressed air can be very dangerous.
- Replace any low-pressure tire with a new one as soon as possible. Low-pressure tires are less capable of carrying your car’s weight and can cause other problems, such as decreased mileage and accelerated tire wear.
why should i clear my tire pressure light when i get a flat
If your car has a tire pressure warning light, it means that one of your tires is below the recommended pressure. If you ignore the warning light and have a flat tire, your car can still drive, but it will be less stable and could even fail in an accident. It’s important to check your tire pressure regularly and clear the tire pressure warning light if it comes on. Here’s how:
- Remove the wheel(s) of the car with the flat tire.
- Use a gauge to measure each of the tires’ pressures at least two different times, taking into account any changes in air temperature or humidity over time.
- Compare your high and low readings to see which is lower.
- Check all four tires for under-inflation by adding 1 pound (0.45 kg) of air to each tire until they’re evenly inflated to the manufacturer’s specifications (32 psi (207 kPa) for most cars).
- Replace any valve stem caps that are missing or damaged and reattach lug nut washers firmly using new bolts if needed.
What else is needed to clear the light
Some things that are often needed to clear the light on a tire pressure gauge include:
-A full tank of gas
-Replacing the tire
-Visually inspecting the tire for proper inflation (the gauge should be close to the rim when inflated)
How to clear the tire pressure light
If your car has a tire pressure warning light, it means the inflation pressure in one or more of your tires is low. To clear the light, you’ll need to inflate the tires to the recommended psi (Pounds per Square Inch). Once inflated, recheck the psi and continue driving if all is well.
If your car’s tire pressure light comes on, there are several ways to clear it. To do this, you’ll need to know the cause of the light and what to do to clear it.
If the light is coming on due to low air pressure, you can reset the system by inflating all four tires to 36 psi (3 bar) or higher.
If the light is coming on due to a flat tire, remove the flat and plug any other holes in the tire with a piece of cloth before re-inflating it. If the light still comes on after that, you’ll need a special tool called a deflation pump to reset the system.
