Flashing versus solid
A solid tire pressure light generally means at least one tire is low. A light that flashes, typically for around a minute or so when you start the car and then stays on, commonly signals a problem with the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) itself. Not every manufacturer uses the same pattern, so confirm in your owner’s manual.
What a flashing light usually means
On many vehicles the flash-then-solid pattern means the system cannot read one or more sensors, or has detected a malfunction. The car is telling you it may not be able to warn you about low pressure until the issue is fixed.
Common reasons
- A sensor battery has run out. Sensor batteries are sealed and wear out over the years. See how long a tire pressure sensor lasts.
- A damaged or failed sensor, sometimes after a tire change or hitting a pothole.
- A missing or unregistered sensor, for example after fitting different wheels, such as winter wheels, without sensors.
- Interference or a module fault, which is less common.
- A recent battery disconnect or repair that left the system needing a relearn.
What to do
- Check each tire with a gauge when cold and fill to the pressure on the door-jamb placard. Low air can also trigger a warning, so rule it out.
- Restart the car and watch whether the light flashes again. Note whether it flashes first and then stays solid.
- Try the reset or relearn steps for your vehicle: see how to reset your tire pressure sensor.
- If it keeps flashing, have a shop scan the sensors. They can tell which sensor is not responding. More detail on repairs is in our guide to a faulty tire pressure sensor.
Can you keep driving?
If your tires are correctly inflated, the car usually remains drivable, but you have lost the automatic warning for low pressure. Check pressures by hand regularly, especially before long trips, and arrange the repair in a reasonable time. If a tire looks low or the car feels unusual, stop and deal with that first.
Will a parts store or shop help, and what does it cost?
Some parts stores and many tire shops will check pressures or read sensors, but services differ by location, so call ahead. Costs depend on the fix: a relearn may be inexpensive, while replacing a sensor adds the part, labor, and programming. Ask for a quote before work begins.
FAQ
Why is the light blinking when my tires are fine? The system is most likely reporting a fault rather than low pressure.
Will it clear on its own? Sometimes after a drive if the cause was temporary, but a failed sensor will keep triggering it.