The amber symbol that looks like a flat tyre with an exclamation mark is your tyre pressure light (TPMS light). It means at least one tyre is low on air, usually about 25% below the recommended pressure. Pull over safely, check all four tyres with a gauge and pump them up to the pressure on the sticker inside the driver's door. The light normally goes off after a few minutes of driving.
If it flashes for about a minute and then stays on, the problem is the sensor, not the air. In Auckland? Drop into our Onehunga store and we'll check your tyres and sensors while you wait.
What the Tyre Pressure Light Looks Like
The tyre pressure monitoring system warning light is a yellow or amber horseshoe shape (the cross-section of a tyre) with "!" in the middle. Some cars show "TPMS", "TPWS" or "LOW TIRE" in text instead. Many drivers call it the flat tire sign or simply the tyre light.
It's a warning, not an emergency like the red oil or temperature lights. But it should never be ignored. Here's how to read it:
| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Solid light | One or more tyres are under-inflated | Check and inflate all tyres today |
| On when cold, off later | Pressures are borderline low | Top up all tyres by 2–3 psi |
| Flashes, then stays on | TPMS fault: dead air pressure sensor, missing or wrong sensor | Book a TPMS sensor check |
| Light + flat-looking tyre | Puncture or major leak | Don't drive on it. Fit the spare or call us |
How to Fix the Tyre Pressure Light in 5 Minutes
- Pull over somewhere safe and look at all four tyres. If one is visibly flat, fit the spare or call roadside assistance.
- Find your correct tyre pressure. It's on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb, inside the fuel flap or in the owner's manual. Most cars sit between 30 and 36 psi (about 210–250 kPa). Don't use the "max pressure" on the sidewall. See our guide to finding the right PSI.
- Check the pressures cold: before driving, or after the car has been parked for at least 3 hours. Warm tyres read higher.
- Inflate every tyre to the recommended pressure, including ones that look fine. 1 psi is about 6.9 kPa, so 32 psi is about 220 kPa.
- Drive for 10–20 minutes above 25 km/h. Most systems re-check the tyres and turn the light off on their own.
- Still on? Reset the system using the steps for your make below.
- Light back on, or a tyre soft again within a day or two? You likely have a slow puncture or a faulty sensor. That needs a tyre shop.
Why Your Tyre Pressure Light Came On
Cold mornings
Pressure drops about 1 psi for every 5–6 °C fall. That's why the light shows on a cold Auckland morning and is gone by lunch.
A slow puncture
A nail or screw can leak air over days. If one tyre keeps going down, this is the likely cause.
Leaking valve or bead
Old valve stems, corroded mag wheels and damaged rims all leak slowly.
Natural air loss
All tyres lose around 1 psi a month. Not checked in months? They're probably low.
Dead sensor battery
Each TPMS sensor has a sealed battery lasting roughly 5–10 years. When it dies, the light flashes, then stays on.
Wheels without sensors
Aftermarket mags, a second set of wheels or a spare without a sensor will trigger the light.
Tyres changed, not relearned
Some cars need sensors re-registered after tyres are rotated or replaced.
Japanese import sensors
Many Japanese-market cars use 315 MHz sensors; many sold in NZ are 433 MHz. A mismatched sensor never talks to the car.
Is It Safe to Drive With the Tyre Pressure Light On?
For a short, slow drive to a service station or tyre shop, usually yes, as long as no tyre looks flat. Driving for days on low tyre pressure is not safe.
Running low pressures for a while can also cause uneven wear. If the car still pulls after you've fixed the pressures, book a wheel alignment.
How to Reset the Tyre Pressure Light by Make and Model
Inflate all tyres to the correct pressure first. A reset with low tyres just brings the light back. Steps vary by year, so check your owner's manual if your menu looks different.
| Make | Popular NZ models | How to reset the TPMS light |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota | Corolla, RAV4, Camry, C-HR, Highlander, Hilux, Prius | Older models: hold the TPMS reset button (under the steering column or lower dash) until the light blinks 3 times, then drive 20 minutes. Newer models: dash Settings > Vehicle Settings > TPWS > Initialise. |
| Mazda | Mazda2, Mazda3, CX-3, CX-30, CX-5, CX-8 | Settings > Vehicle > Tyre Pressure Monitoring > Initialise. Some older models have a TPMS switch on the lower left dash. |
| Nissan | X-Trail, Qashqai, Leaf, Navara, Note | Inflate correctly and drive above 25 km/h for about 10 minutes. It resets itself. |
| Honda | CR-V, Jazz, Civic, HR-V | Settings > Vehicle > TPMS Calibration > Calibrate, then drive. |
| Mitsubishi | Outlander, ASX, Eclipse Cross, Triton | Usually resets after 10–20 minutes of driving. Some models have a reset in the info display. |
| Hyundai / Kia | Tucson, Santa Fe, Kona, Sportage, Seltos | Drive above 25 km/h for 10+ minutes and it clears on its own. |
| Ford | Ranger, Everest, Focus, Escape | Dash menu > Settings > Vehicle > Tyre Monitor > Reset (varies by year), or drive 10–20 minutes. |
| VW / Skoda / Audi | Golf, Polo, Tiguan, Octavia, Q5 | Car menu > Settings > Tyres > SET or Store, or the SET button on older models. |
| Subaru | Outback, Forester, XV, Crosstrek | Self-resets after a short drive once pressures are correct. |
| Suzuki | Swift, Vitara, Jimny | Self-resets after driving on most models. |
| BMW / Mercedes | 3 Series, X3, X5, C-Class, GLC | BMW: Vehicle Info > Tyre Pressure Monitor > Reset. Mercedes: Assistance or Service menu > Tyre Pressure > Restart. |
| Tesla / MG / BYD | Model 3/Y, MG ZS, MG HS, Atto 3 | Touchscreen vehicle or service settings > tyre pressure or wheel configuration. |
When the Light Won't Go Off: TPMS Sensor Problems
If the light flashes and then stays on, or comes back after a reset, a tyre pressure sensor needs attention. It may have a flat battery, a broken valve stem or the wrong frequency, or it may not be registered to the car. Fixing it needs a TPMS scan tool that reads each sensor and programs a replacement to your car.
- Scan every air pressure sensor and tell you which one is faulty
- Supply and program replacement TPMS sensors, including for Japanese imports
- Find and repair slow punctures
- Replace leaking valve stems
- Fit new tyres and relearn the sensors so the light stays off
Keep reading
A warning light usually means a pressure drop, so check our correct tyre pressure guide for Auckland drivers and learn how to find the right PSI for your car. If the cause is a nail or screw, our puncture repair service can usually fix it the same day.
Tyre Pressure Light On? We'll Sort It.
Bring your car to our Onehunga store. We'll check the pressures, look for punctures and scan the sensors, usually while you wait.
FAQs
What does the tyre pressure light mean?
It means the tyre pressure monitoring system has detected at least one tyre below its safe pressure, usually about 25% under the recommended level.
Why is my tyre pressure light on but my tyres look fine?
A tyre can be 25% low and still look normal. Check with a gauge. If all four are correct, the cause is likely cold weather, a sensor fault or a system that needs resetting.
Why does my tyre light come on in the morning and go off later?
Cold air lowers tyre pressure. As the tyres warm up while driving, pressure rises and the light goes off. Add 2–3 psi to each tyre.
Can I drive with the TPMS light on?
Only a short distance to get air or to a tyre shop, and only if no tyre is visibly flat.
How long does a TPMS sensor last?
Most sensor batteries last 5–10 years. The battery can't be replaced, so the whole sensor is swapped.
Does the tyre pressure light reset itself?
On many cars, yes, after 10–20 minutes of driving once the tyres are inflated correctly. Others need a button or a menu reset.
Why does my Japanese import's tyre light stay on after new sensors?
The sensors may be the wrong frequency (315 MHz vs 433 MHz) or not programmed to the car. A TPMS tool can fix this.
How much does it cost to fix a tyre pressure light?
If it's just low air, nothing. A puncture repair or replacement sensor costs more. Call us on 09 622 2727 for a quote.