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Car care guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
Tire Pressure Light: What It Means and What to Do
The tire pressure warning light comes from your tire pressure monitoring system, or TPMS. NHTSA notes it can come on briefly during cold mornings. Here is what NHTSA says the light means, why it can come and go, what a flashing light means, and how to check your tires.
2008+model years required to have TPMS (NHTSA)
MonthlyNHTSA: check pressure in all tires, including the spare
3 hoursparked time NHTSA uses to define cold tires
60-90 secflashing that may mean a TPMS malfunction
The short answer
NHTSA says that when the TPMS symbol appears on your dashboard, at least one of your tires is significantly underinflated. Inspect your tires and check the pressure as soon as possible, then inflate them to the pressure on your vehicle's Tire and Loading Information label. The light goes out once the tires are properly inflated. If it flashes for 60 to 90 seconds at start-up and then stays on, the system itself may need an inspection.
What the tire pressure light means
A tire pressure monitoring system watches tire pressure either through sensors located in the tires (a direct system) or through wheel speed and other vehicle sensors (an indirect system). An on-board processor reads those signals and lights the TPMS symbol on your dashboard when pressure is below the acceptable level. NHTSA says all passenger cars, light trucks and vans from model year 2008 or newer are required to have TPMS, and some 2006 and 2007 vehicles have it too; for those years, check your owner's manual or ask your dealer.
The federal standard allows two warning symbols: a cross-section of a tire with an exclamation mark inside, or a top view of a car with all four tires exposed. Whichever your vehicle uses, NHTSA says it means at least one tire is significantly underinflated. Inspect your tires and check the pressure as soon as possible. The symbol goes out after the tires are properly inflated, and it should not be lit when they are.
From NHTSA, Tire Safety Ratings and Awareness (nhtsa.gov), read November 2, 2026.
Why the light comes on on cold mornings
NHTSA explains that on cold mornings the TPMS symbol may come on for a short time and then turn off. This is likely caused by marginally low tire pressure that dips below the warning threshold overnight, then rises to an acceptable level as the tires heat up from driving or as the outside temperature climbs.
A light that goes out on its own is still a signal. NHTSA says that if the TPMS symbol goes on and off, you should inspect your tires and check your tire pressure.
From NHTSA, Tire Safety Ratings and Awareness, read November 2, 2026.
What a flashing tire pressure light means
NHTSA says every TPMS on 2008 and newer vehicles must detect and warn you when the system itself is not working properly. A malfunction may be shown by the TPMS symbol flashing for 60 to 90 seconds, then staying lit after the flashing stops. That flash-then-steady sequence repeats at each start-up until the malfunction is corrected.
In that case NHTSA says to contact your vehicle dealer for a system inspection. NHTSA also recommends inspecting tires monthly with an accurate gauge, and notes that TPMS is not a substitute for regular tire maintenance.
From NHTSA, Tire Safety Ratings and Awareness, read November 2, 2026.
How to check your tire pressure
NHTSA recommends checking all tires, including the spare, at least once a month with an accurate gauge. Its steps:
Find the right number
Your vehicle's recommended pressure, in psi and kPa, is on the Tire and Loading Information label on the driver's side door edge or doorjamb, or in your owner's manual. Use the vehicle manufacturer's number, not the one printed on the tire itself.
Check when tires are cold
NHTSA defines cold as not driven for at least three hours. Warm tires read higher, so measure cold or allow for the extra pressure in warm tires.
Let air out if it is high
Slowly release air by gently pressing on the valve stem with the edge of your gauge until you reach the correct pressure.
Add air if it is low
Note the difference between your reading and the recommended pressure, and add the missing pounds of air at a service station. Then check that all tires match, except where the front and rear are meant to differ.
From NHTSA, Tire Safety Ratings and Awareness, read November 2, 2026.
Why tire pressure matters
NHTSA calls proper tire pressure the most important part of maintaining your tires, because it affects safety, durability and fuel consumption. Not having enough air, along with other missed maintenance such as tire rotation, can lead to a flat tire, a blowout or tread separating from the tire. A tire can also lose pressure suddenly if you hit a pothole or bump a curb when you park.
Pressure also affects fuel use. FuelEconomy.gov says keeping tires at the proper pressure can improve gas mileage by 0.6% on average, up to 3% in some cases, and that underinflated tires can lower mileage by about 0.2% for every 1 psi drop in the average pressure of all tires. It also notes that properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.
If you have been driving and think a tire is low, NHTSA says to fill it to the recommended cold pressure anyway. The tire may still be slightly underinflated because it is warm, but that is safer than driving on a significantly underinflated tire.
From NHTSA, Tire Safety Ratings and Awareness and FuelEconomy.gov, Keeping Your Vehicle in Shape, read November 2, 2026.
Service at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. For tire details, see our Ford tire service page.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 2, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Tire pressure light FAQ
What does the tire pressure light mean?
NHTSA says that when the TPMS symbol appears on your dashboard, at least one of your tires is significantly underinflated. Inspect your tires and check the pressure as soon as possible.
Why is my tire pressure light on when it is cold?
NHTSA explains that on cold mornings the light may come on for a short time and then turn off. That is likely marginally low pressure dipping below the warning threshold overnight, then rising as the tires warm up. If the light goes on and off, check your tire pressure.
What does a flashing tire pressure light mean?
On 2008 and newer vehicles, NHTSA says a TPMS symbol that flashes for 60 to 90 seconds and then stays on may indicate a system malfunction. The sequence repeats at each start-up until the malfunction is corrected; NHTSA says to contact your dealer for a system inspection.
How do I turn off the tire pressure light?
NHTSA says the symbol will go out after the tires are properly inflated. Inflate every tire to the pressure on your vehicle's Tire and Loading Information label, measured when the tires are cold.
What PSI should my tires be?
Use the pressure the vehicle manufacturer lists on the Tire and Loading Information label on the driver's side door edge or in your owner's manual, not the number printed on the tire itself (NHTSA).
Do I still need to check pressure if I have TPMS?
Yes. NHTSA says TPMS only warns when a tire is significantly underinflated and is not a substitute for regular tire maintenance. Check all tires, including the spare, at least once a month with an accurate gauge.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Light still on?
If the light stays on after you inflate your tires, or it flashes at start-up, schedule a visit with the Michigan City Ford service team.
Sources
TPMS, warning light and tire pressure facts are from NHTSA's tire safety page; fuel economy figures are from FuelEconomy.gov. Both were read November 2, 2026. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- NHTSA, Tire Safety Ratings and Awareness, NHTSA, read November 2, 2026
- FuelEconomy.gov, Keeping Your Vehicle in Shape, U.S. Department of Energy and EPA, read November 2, 2026
- Ford tire service in Michigan City, Michigan City Ford, November 2, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 2, 2026
- Address and hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 2, 2026