Tire pressure sensors in Houston, TX

What the light means

On most vehicles, a small sensor inside each wheel reads the air pressure and sends it to your dash. That's the tire pressure monitoring system, or TPMS. When a tire gets low, the light comes on.

Steady or flashing?

A light that stays on usually means one or more tires are low on air. A light that flashes for a minute or so when you start the vehicle, then stays on, usually means trouble with the system itself, often a sensor.

Check your air first

Check all four tires with a gauge while they're cold, before you drive far. Fill them to the pressure on the sticker in the driver's door. The number on the side of the tire is the most it can hold, not what your vehicle needs.

A cold morning can drop the pressure enough to turn the light on. Driving on a low tire wears it out early and can ruin it, so don't put it off.

When a sensor needs replacing

The battery is sealed inside the sensor and can't be changed, so when it runs down, the whole sensor gets replaced. A sensor can also go bad from rust or damage.

Programming a new sensor

A new sensor has to be programmed so your vehicle can read it. Some vehicles also need their sensors matched up again after a tire rotation, so the dash shows the right pressure for each wheel.

Light still on?

If it's still on after you fill the tires and drive a few minutes, or a tire keeps losing air, call or text (281) 628-3676. Tell us your year, make and model, and whether the light is steady or flashing.