(WDNews) — A cooler morning can bring an unexpected dashboard warning: the tire pressure light.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, tire pressure drops as outside temperatures fall. That can leave tires underinflated and trigger the warning light. Drivers should check the pressure rather than assume the weather is the only cause.
Use a tire gauge and follow the recommended pressure on the label inside the driver’s door or in the owner’s manual. The number printed on the tire’s sidewall is its maximum pressure, not the recommended setting for your vehicle.
For an accurate reading, check tires when the vehicle has been parked for at least three hours. Check all tires, including the spare, at least once a month.
The agency says dashboard monitoring systems generally warn drivers only when a tire is significantly underinflated, so regular checks still matter. Proper pressure helps with safety, tire life and fuel use.
If a tire repeatedly loses pressure, shows damage or causes unusual vibration, have a tire professional inspect it.
