According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, flat or underinflated tires cause more than 78,000 crashes each year. Thankfully, the use of a Tire Pressure Monitoring System in today's vehicles has reduced the number of tire pressure-related incidents significantly. We'll explain why it's so important to pay attention to your vehicle's Tire Pressure Monitoring System in the sections below. When your vehicle needs TPMS diagnostics or repairs, visit Gibbon Tire and Auto in Charlotte, NC for superior service.
What Does a Tire Pressure Monitoring System Do?
A tire pressure monitoring system, or TPMS, is standard equipment on vehicles manufactured after 2007. This feature was designed to notify a driver if one or more of their tires were badly underinflated. A yellow horseshoe-shaped sign with an exclamation point will flash on the dashboard if your car's system detects an underinflated tire.
How To Handle a TPMS Notification
If the light comes on while you're driving, pull over to a gas station, auto shop, or rest stop with an air pump. Your owner's manual will tell you how much PSI (pounds per square inch) your tires need. If the outside temperature decreases quickly or if one of your tires is punctured, the TPMS light will also turn on.
The TPMS light should turn off once you've reinflated your tires and there is no evidence of leaks. If the sensor continues to stay on, you can reset it. One option for resetting the system is to drive it at 50 mph for around 10 minutes. You can turn the key to the "on" position without starting the engine if your vehicle is turned off. After three seconds of holding the TPMS reset button, release it once the light blinks three times. To reset the sensor, drive the car for 20 minutes.
TPMS Diagnostics and Repair in Charlotte
When something is wrong with your vehicle’s TPMS, visit Gibbon Tire & Auto in Charlotte. Caring for your vehicle's tires will help improve safety and fuel efficiency mile after mile, so when it’s time for any tire service, be sure to visit our local tire shop at your earliest convenience. Give us a call at (980) 533-2281 to learn more or to request an estimate for the cost of TPMS service in Charlotte or the surrounding communities.
