Anyone who has driven past a “Tire Pressure Too High” warning light flickering on their dashboard knows how easy it is to ignore and continue driving with your head in the sand. This warning light is a sign of severe risk regarding your tires. Whether you have a sedan, SUV, or pickup, knowing your way around tire pressure and how to remedy this warning can ensure that you are driving safely, will have minor wear and tear on your tires, and even boost your fuel efficiency.
We’ll tackle everything you need to know about “Tire Pressure Too High,” including how tire pressure works, why it matters, and what you should do when you get that alert.
What Does “Tire Pressure Too High” Mean?
Your car’s tires must be within a specific pressure range to function at their best. Each car manufacturer can specify a recommended tire pressure, which is usually around 30-35 PSI on most types of passenger cars. A warning light will appear once the pressure climbs further beyond that range. It is just about the vehicle telling you, “Something’s not quite right here!”
Why Does High Tire Pressure Happen?
Tire pressure can increase for any number of reasons. Some are more common than others, but here’s the breakdown:
- Temperature Changes: This is probably the most common reason. For every 10-degree rise in temperature, your tire pressure can increase by around 1 PSI. So, if you inflated them early in the morning when it was cool and then went out driving later in the day’s heat, you will likely find that the pressure in your tires has increased.
- Overinflation: Most inflate their tires beyond the recommended levels and suppose this will improve their gas mileage or ride quality. The slight improvement in gas mileage is a minor respite, whereas safety and comfort can always be compromised.
- Faulty Gauges: If the pressure gauge you’re using is not calibrated correctly, you may be overinflating your tires without knowing it.
- Tire Wear or Damage: In uncommonly, very rare cases, damage to the tire will cause air pressure to drop or rise erratically. If this warning light comes on, glance at your tires for signs of visible damage.
Why Should You Care About High Tire Pressure?
If you think to yourself, “So what? My tires are just a little overinflated,” here’s why you shouldn’t brush it off:
- Safety Risks: The more tire surface you have that is not in contact with the road, the less traction it will give the vehicle, especially when braking. Then, of course, there’s the possibility of a blowout.
- Uneven Tire Wear: Overinflated tires wear unevenly in the center. This means you will lose them sooner than you would have without overinflation—a terrible and expensive blow to your wallet.
Other tips include:
- Bouncy Ride: Do you feel like you are springing up and down while driving? Too much pressure in the tires will make you less comfortable, absorbing much of the impact from potholes or bumps on the road.
- Fuel Efficiency: A little extra pressure in the tires can improve fuel efficiency, but too much of this can be negative. Tires at higher pressure have increased rolling resistance, which makes your engine work harder.
How Do You Know If Your Tire Pressure Is Too High?
Ideally, the car’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System will alert you if there is an issue, but it is also good to know how to check it manually.
- Use a Tire Pressure Gauge: The simplest thing to do here is to visit any auto store or gas station or even check online. Most are easy to use. Just unscrew the cap from your tire’s valve, press the gauge onto the valve, and check the reading.
- Check the Manufacturer’s Suggestibility: Look inside your car’s driver’s side door; most have a sticker that lists what PSI you should run at the front, side, and rear. You can also look in your owner’s manual for this information. Compare that number with the reading from your gauge.
- Check your tires regularly: It is good practice to check your tire pressure once a month or before a long drive, especially if the temperature swings. You can also inspect if your tires are visibly bulged or feel far too hard to the touch, which will indicate that they are overinflated.
What to Do When Your Tire Pressure Warning Light Comes On?
If it does happen, do not act irresponsibly by ignoring that annoying light. Here’s the step-by-step process on what to do about it:
- Pull Over Safely: You are safely driving at the time when the warning light appears, and you do not panic. Pull over to a safe place to park.
- Check the Pressure: Pop the trunk and take out your tire pressure gauge. Measure the PSI of each tire. Because you have been driving for a while, the tires are warm; the pressure is always more than if the tires were taken cold.
- Lose some air: If some tires are overinflated, that is also a cue that you need to let out a little bit. You can do this with the valve stem in situ by pressing down until air hisses out, and then you measure once again to place them back within their recommended range.
- Visit a Service Center: If you are unsure how to attend to the issue personally or if you realize your tires are degraded, go to the nearest tire shop or service center. You will save time by taking your car there to have your tires checked and your warning system reset.
Role of TPMS
Your car’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System has been set up to alert you if there is something wrong with your tire’s pressure. It continuously monitors your tires and flashes a message to you if something is up. However, it is not foolproof—TPMS always throws warnings when the pressure is 25% above or below the recommended limit. So, your tires may be slightly too high even if you do not see the warning light. That is why you need to track and measure your tire pressure by hand regularly.
Tire Pressure Myths
Myth 1: Extra Inflation Boosts Mileage
Proper inflation actually improves gas mileage, but excessive air decreases the tire’s contact with the road, which increases tread wear. It is a balancing act, though: a little air damages gas efficiency, while too much air endangers your safety.
Myth 2: Sidewall Listing Is the Ideal Pressure
Not quite! The pressure listed on the side of your tire is the maximum pressure a tire can safely handle, not the recommended pressure for your vehicle. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation and not the tire’s sidewall.
Myth 3: All Four Tires Need the Same Pressure
More often than not, your tires at the front and rear need to be higher in pressure owing to the weight distribution. A car with a front-wheel drive must have a higher front pressure since that will carry most of the engine’s weight.
How Does Seasonal Changes Affect Tire Pressure?
In most parts of the U.S., seasonal temperature fluctuations significantly impact pressure within tires. In the cold season, it lowers, and in the warm season, it increases. Here’s how you’ll be on top of things:
Winter: Tires tend to lose pressure quickly when it’s cold. Check them regularly, and if the pressure is low, add more air.
Summer: Hot weather increases the pressure inside your tires; check them to ensure that they are not pumped up too much. You may want to lower the pressure before a predicted heatwave, but it should still be set close to the recommended specification.
When To Get Help
Most of the issues with tire pressure can be adjusted in one’s garage, but others need professional input. Have your car taken to a shop dealing with tires or a service center if:
- Your tires keep on overinflating or under-inflating.
- Do you notice any cracks, bulges, or nails on the tires?
- The warning light for your car’s TPMS stays on after you have adjusted your tire pressure.
A professional will inspect your tires, check them for leaks, and reset your TPMS system when necessary.
Related FAQs
1. How often do I check my tire pressure?
Check your tire pressure once a month and before a long trip as good practice.
2. Does an overinflated tire blow up?
Yes, overinflated tires are most likely to blow out when it’s hot.
3. Is driving safe when the “Tire Pressure Too High” indicator light is on?
It’s not recommended. Overinflating tires change their handling and braking characteristics. Stop immediately and inflate your tire pressure to the proper level.
The “Tire Pressure Too High” warning may seem like no big deal, but denying its importance may lead to huge problems down the road-literally! Increases blowout possibility, which might lead to uneven wearing and lower traction, making your vehicle less controllable.
By keeping routine checks of your tire pressure, knowing why TPMS is in place, and knowing when there’s any problem with high pressures, you will be secure, get good performance, and save a little in the long run.
The next time that light warning flashes through your dashboard, you will know what to do. Safe driving.
