jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I like to think that I am prepared when I drive somewhere. My car is always in good condition, and I carry an emergency kit. I have a plastic container with first aid kit, tire pump, patch kit, and gloves. I was doing about 130 miles of driving yesterday, and the tire pressure light came on. It could mean that one tire was a couple of pounds low, or it could mean one was going flat. Unfortunately, the day before, I had to fold the seats down to carry a load of stuff, so I removed my emergency kit. In the old days, all gas stations had free, high pressure air. Today, if you can find a pump, you'll probably have to pay to use it, like $1.50 at Speedway. Even if you find one, it's not going to be like the high pressure pumps in gas stations of the past.

I went to a hardware store and bought a compressor for $25. Now I think I have five of them. One tire was a few pounds low, so I pumped it up and reset the TPMS light. I finished the day without the light coming on, and the pressure was still good when I got home. I'll be sure to put that emergency kit back into the car today. Yesterday was the first time I actually needed the kit. Ironic, right?

Don't assume that your trip will go as planned. Be prepared for any emergency, automotive or photographic. A checklist is a very idea.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Great story, thanks for sharing. A similiar thing happened to me last week, luckily I wasn't far from home and had a AAA compressor at home and filled up every tire. The issue I have with the tire pressure light is that it doesn't tell me which tire it is. At my age bending down to check the air is a chore, lol!

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

I have a pump that plugs into whatever it is now called in the dashboard - it once held cigarette lighter. Bought it for the very same issue you stated - finding and then having to pay to use the air pump.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Always good to be prepared Jerry. Good thinking. How does one reset the light?

Dennis

WessoJPEG Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

It goes off when the pressure comes up. Sensors in tires.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Happened to me the first really cool day we had, happened to be driving past my dealer that morning, stopped in for a check, it was just too dangerous to stop where I was driving when the light came on, all tires were low, pump up, check over, car wash, coffee and a snack, $0.00, and on my way, gotta luv Subaru, Bob.

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

Great story, Jerry. I have 2 vehicles - a 2007 Santa Fe and a 2011 Sonata. Whenever te weather changes to the 30's and below, the check tire pressure light comes on. Now, the Santa Fe is great. It tells you which tire is low. Front, rear, left or right. Easy fix. The Sonata, however, does not tell you which tire it is. One has to check all 4 when adding air. A real P.I.T.A. I've gotten into the habit of adding the air at 1lb over the recommended pressure. Seems to help. Most of the time, I ignore the "low pressure" warning because I know it's not all that low because of the temperature change.

EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace

I don't have a vehicle that has a tire pressure warning light/alarm but have heard that if it goes bad it is a small fortune to have it fixed, like just about anything on modern cars.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

BTW, in summer heat build up can increase the pressure and trigger a light , at least on my Forester, Bob.

ricardo7 Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile

Interesting. I have a 2014 Santa Fe and the tire pressure warning light doesn't indicate which tire.
It does come on, however, the first time the temperature plummets.

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

It seems to be working alright. You just don't know where to start checking. I was a bit peeved when only the light appeared when my Sonata needed air.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Thanks.

Dennis

Beowulf Loc: Aquidneck Island, RI

My 2010 Malibu has the tire sensor system which tells the PSI in each tire. A week after having the dealer do an oil change, check hoses, belts, etc., and a tire rotation, the indicator warned of a sensor problem. Followed the manual's instructions to reset all four tire sensors which worked for a couple of weeks, then the problem reappeared. Took it to the dealer and the diagnosis was a dead sensor in the right front tire. Replacement cost $145.

I did it because I plan to sell the car outright before getting a new one, but if I were keeping the car, or if the new car has sensors, I will go back to my earlier days of just checking the tires weekly for inflation by stooping down at each tire with a tire gauge. Not the easiest thing for a 75 year old!

wsnyder Loc: Illinois

My Honda came with tires filled with nitrogen. Being an inert gas it is not effected by heat changes. A feature I've really come to appreciate. Not all repair stations have it,in my small town only one. It cost 6 to 10 dollars per tire, well worth it I think.

ricardo7 Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile

I presume you're being droll. If not your assertion is absurd. All gasses are effected by heat. pv=nrt.