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us Transport & mobility emergencies tire pressure warning light • tpms light came on • low tire pressure warning • tire pressure monitor alert • dashboard tire icon • pulled over to check tires • stopped on shoulder to check • possible flat tire warning • slow leak suspicion • tire pressure dropped suddenly • tire looks fine but warning • door jamb tire pressure label • tire and loading information label • roadside tire pressure check • gas station air pump • tire sidewall bulge concern • can i keep driving on tpms • tpms warning after inflation • tire pressure sensor issue • tyre pressure warning light

What to do if…
a tyre pressure warning comes on and you have pulled over safely to check it

Short answer

Assume at least one tire is underinflated until you confirm with a gauge: check all tires against the door-jamb placard, and don’t continue if any tire is damaged or losing air.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t keep driving on an underinflated tire “just to get there” — that can cause a blowout or wheel damage.
  • Don’t rely on looking at the tire alone; many low tires don’t look dramatically flat.
  • Don’t put yourself at risk on a busy shoulder (standing close to traffic, kneeling in a live lane, or reaching into the roadway).
  • Don’t inflate a tire with a visible sidewall cut, bulge, or exposed cords — treat that as unsafe to drive.
  • Don’t guess the correct PSI from the tire sidewall; use the vehicle placard (door jamb) or owner’s manual.

What to do now

  1. Make the stop as safe as possible before you focus on the tires.

    • Hazard lights on, parking brake on.
    • If the shoulder is narrow, visibility is poor, or traffic is close/fast, keep the inspection minimal and switch to getting help rather than taking risks.

  2. Do a quick visual walk-around.
    Look for:

    • A tire noticeably lower than the others
    • A nail/screw in the tread
    • Cuts, bulges, or sidewall damage
    • Hissing or debris
      If anything looks damaged or flat, don’t drive on it.

  3. Check all tires with a pressure gauge.

    • Check each tire’s pressure (and the spare if you have one and it’s accessible).
    • Compare to the recommended cold inflation pressure on the Tire and Loading Information label (commonly on the driver’s door jamb).

  4. If a tire is low but not obviously damaged, inflate to the placard PSI — then re-check.

    • Inflate to the placard PSI.
    • Re-check the gauge reading to confirm it’s correct.

  5. Make the “continue vs don’t continue” call based on safety.

    • Okay to continue (cautiously): pressures are corrected, no damage seen, and the tire is not dropping again.
    • Do not continue: any tire won’t hold air, you see sidewall damage/bulge, you can’t change a tire safely, or the vehicle feels unstable.

  6. If you’re in immediate danger, call for emergency help; otherwise call roadside assistance.

    • Call 911 if you’re in/near a live lane, you’re blocked on a curve, there’s a crash/injuries, fire/smoke, or you feel unsafe where you are.
    • Otherwise, call your roadside assistance provider (insurance/auto club/manufacturer) and tell them what you measured and what you saw.

  7. If the warning stays on after pressures are correct, treat it as “needs service soon,” not “ignore.”

    • Some vehicles update after a short drive; others require a reset procedure in the owner’s manual.
    • If the light remains on despite correct pressures, arrange a tire shop/service check for leaks, valve issues, or a TPMS fault.

What can wait

  • You do not need to figure out the exact cause right now (temperature change vs slow leak vs sensor issue).
  • You do not need to buy parts or book repairs while you’re on the shoulder; the priority is confirming the tires are safe to drive on.
  • You do not need to do any reset steps if they distract you or require extra driving around; do that once you’re somewhere safe.

Important reassurance

A TPMS warning is common and often fixable. Pulling over and checking early reduces the risk of a sudden tire failure and helps you make a calm, safe decision about whether to continue.

Scope note

This is first-steps guidance for the moment you’ve stopped. If you find damage, repeated air loss, or you’re stopped somewhere exposed, the safest next step is professional roadside help rather than troubleshooting under pressure.

Important note

This guide is general information, not mechanical or legal advice. If you’re unsure it’s safe to drive, or the location makes checking unsafe, prioritise personal safety and get professional help.

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