We've all gotten that frustrating warning in our dash. Always popping up in the middle of point A and point B, TPMS(Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems) warning. The truth is if the TPMS is on your tires are in a hazardously low pressure status. TPMS are not faulty so if low tire pressure is being signaled you shouldn't drive until all four wheels are checked thoroughly. This requires you to identify the cause of pressure loss and determine if the tire can sustain on the road.
Although it's impossible to check the tire pressure with a good look. If your TPMS doesn't identify which tire is low you can always take a look for yourself. You would have to look a clearly flat tire or bulging tire sidewall that's slightly compressed. Don't forget to listen closely as you look, Generally, its not uncommon to hear the air leaving out of a tire. With tire pressure loss being unrecognized by the human eye you shouldn't get discouraged if your not able to determine the tire. You can get an inexpensive device that's used to measure tire pressure from places like the convenience store or grocery market and of course any auto parts store. Using this device should pinpoint your tire pressure loss issue in no time and once discovered it's time to take a closer look. More commonly than ever when you look you'll find nails, screws, or other sharp objects. Objects like those could still be lodged in tires causing gradual but persistent leaks. If you don't see anything lodged you can take some soapy water and pour over the tire thread and the sidewall. The air leaving the tire will cause bubbling. You can also use this technique to check for a leaking valve stem, and if there is a loss of an effective tire seal. Either way if you use that technique the cause of the problem will be identified.
Remember Safety First:
Don't go past your know-how and comfort. Doing things like taking a tire off without any knowledge of what you're doing can become a very dangerous situation.
Reinflation is not the solution: without knowing what caused the low pressure initially. Replacing the lost air won't do anything but put you at a higher risk.
Driving on a flat tire is seriously dangerous. The potential for a total loss of vehicle control on an underinflated or nearly flat tire shouldn't be underestimated. If the affected tire has a slow leak but is holding sufficient pressure to drive to a repair shop, make that drive with extreme caution.
Consult with a professional as soon as possible: Although the tips given here to help pinpoint the cause of pressure loss is useful it's no substitute for professional tire evaluation and repair.
Just remember to help your tires reach their optimal traction, stability, and durability check your tire pressure every month. Even though tires are airtight they still have microscopic pores in the tire walls that let very small amounts of air escape over time.
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