Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

When a yellow warning light shaped sort of like a horseshoe with an exclamation mark in the middle shows up on your dash, it means you have a tire pressure issue, determined through a sensor.

Federal law requires cars built in 2008 or later to have this tire pressure monitoring system, or TPMS. If your car is equipped with TPMS, the warning light briefly appears when you turn your car on. But if your TPMS light stays lit while driving, stop at your nearest McWhorter’s.

TPMS-light

How Does TPMS Work?

Pressure-detecting sensors inside your tire stems relay information to your car’s computer. A low tire spins at a different rate than the other tires. Sensors recognize this difference and alert your car’s computer, causing the indicator light to come on. When your tire pressure drops at least 25 percent below the recommended inflation pressure, a solid indicator light appears.

Service for TPMS Warning Light

It’s important to promptly address the TPMS warning light, especially if your tires are properly inflated. There could be a few reasons why the warning light is activated:

  • The most common reason for the warning light is your tires need more air. You can either inflate your tires at the nearest gas station or take it to McWhorter’s. For free, we can pump up your tires to the proper pressure.
  • A flashing TPMS indicator means one of the sensor batteries has failed and needs to be replaced. Batteries in the sensor die over time or from vibrations caused from normal driving.
  • It’s possible the sensors are fine, but a malfunction in your vehicle electronics is causing the warning light.
  • If your vehicle came equipped with TPMS, sensors disabling the system is not an option, and is illegal for tire repair shops. At McWhorter’s, we always reflash or install TPMS sensors during tire replacement if required.

Importance of Correct Tire Pressure

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration attributes nearly 11,000 accidents in the US annually to low tire pressure. It your tires are properly inflated, you run a lower risk of hydroplaning and require a shorter braking distance. You’ll also save money because your tires will last longer and you’ll have better fuel economy.

At McWhorter’s, our TPMS service includes:

  • Checking your tire pressure
  • Checking the communication between tire sensors and your car’s computer system
  • Replacing and resetting pressure sensors as required
  • Reflashing your car’s computer so it has all the latest TPMS updates.

At McWhorter’s, we care about our customers’ safety. If your TPMS indicator is on, come see us today.