On the dash of modern vehicles there are many warning lights and gauges. One of the most common ones is the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
This light comes on when there is a loss of tire pressure or in some cases the tire pressure is set too high.
The number one cause of blow outs on the highway is low tire pressure. With low profile tires, if you get a puncture on the road, it is difficult to feel when driving. The tire will overheat and blow out the sidewall.
In colder climates with large temperature swings, a tpms light can come on due to cold weather. With very cold weather, the air in the tire contracts giving it a lower pressure indicated on the dash or gauge. By using nitrogen in your tires, this is reduced as nitrogen is affected less by temperature. This should still be checked at a service facility as it could be an indication of a low tire due to puncture.
If the TPMS light is on, it is very important to get into a service facility to get it diagnose. It may be a low tire or even a possible electronic problem.
One other note. If you replace your wheels with custom wheels, you must install pressure sensors in the new wheels. By not installing sensors, you are tampering with a safety system. This is no different than modifying or removing an Antilock Braking System or Air Bag System.
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