The Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) warning light — a horseshoe-shaped symbol with an exclamation mark — is one of the most important dashboard warnings your car can give you. Since 2014, all new cars sold in the UK and EU have been required to have a TPMS fitted as standard. Yet many drivers don't know what the light means or what to do when it appears.
What Is TPMS and How Does It Work?
TPMS uses sensors to monitor the air pressure inside each tyre and alerts the driver when one or more tyres drops below a safe threshold — typically around 25% below the recommended pressure. There are two types of system: direct TPMS uses a physical sensor mounted inside each wheel, while indirect TPMS uses the car's ABS wheel speed sensors to detect a loss of pressure by monitoring differences in wheel rotation speed. Both types trigger the same dashboard warning.
Why Might the TPMS Light Come On?
The most common reason is genuinely low tyre pressure — often caused by a slow puncture, a valve issue, or natural pressure loss over time. The light can also come on in cold weather when temperatures drop and tyre pressure falls. If the light appears as a solid warning, check your pressures and inflate as needed. If it flashes before becoming solid, this may indicate a sensor fault rather than a pressure problem. A flashing TPMS light should be investigated by a professional.
What to Do When the TPMS Light Comes On
Stop at the nearest safe opportunity and check your tyre pressures using a gauge. If one or more tyres are significantly low, inflate them to the correct specification and the light should extinguish within a few miles. If a tyre is repeatedly losing pressure, you likely have a slow puncture that needs professional attention. Never ignore a TPMS warning or continue driving long distances on an under-inflated tyre.
Enzo Mobile Tyres can diagnose and resolve TPMS issues, carry out puncture repairs, and replace faulty TPMS sensors — all at your location across Nottingham and North London. One call gets your warning light off and your tyres back to full health.
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