TPMS Warning Light: What It Means and What to Do
That horseshoe-shaped warning light on your dashboard is your TPMS alert. Here's exactly what it means, why it comes on, and when to call Bristol Mobile Tyre Guys.
The TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) warning light looks like a horseshoe shape with an exclamation mark inside it. It has been a legal requirement on all new UK cars since 2014, and its job is simple — to alert you when one or more of your tyres has dropped below a safe pressure threshold. When this light comes on, take it seriously.
The most common reason for a TPMS light to illuminate is simply a tyre that has lost pressure, either gradually through a slow puncture or more rapidly through a nail or valve failure. Check all four tyre pressures as soon as safely possible. If you find a significantly under-inflated tyre, inflate it to the correct pressure — if the light then goes off after driving a short distance, the problem may have been straightforward.
However, TPMS sensors can also malfunction, particularly on older vehicles or after a tyre change. If you have had new tyres fitted and the TPMS light stays on, the sensors may need to be reset or reprogrammed. Bristol Mobile Tyre Guys include TPMS reset as standard with all tyre fittings, ensuring the system works correctly after any tyre change.
Some vehicles use direct TPMS sensors mounted inside the wheel, which have a battery life of around 7 to 10 years. When these sensors fail, the light stays on even when pressures are correct. If you are experiencing persistent TPMS issues on a Bristol-registered vehicle, call us to diagnose the problem and replace any faulty sensors as part of our mobile service.
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