Whether on a several-hundred mile road trip or in a mad dash to beat rush hour traffic home, having the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light spring up on your dashboard sends your mind and heart racing: What do you do? Is something wrong with your Subaru? Are you going to make it to your destination?

Your instrument panel is full of lights indicating when something is happening--or isn't. So when the TPMS alert springs up, hysteria is warranted; after all, tires, and their proper inflation, are what keep your Subaru motoring.

Maintaining proper tire pressure is important for many reasons other than preventing a flat or tire blowout. The correct tire pressure increases rolling resistance and achieves optimal handling. Improper tire pressure, whether overinflated or deflated, place unnecessary stress on your rubber wheels.

And while you may understand that the TPMS and tire pressure are correlated, you have your share of questions about this handy Subaru feature, but fortunately, we at Schaller Subaru have the answers:

Visit Service for a Tire Pressure Check

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Schaller Subaru Helps You Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated

So the TPMS springs up, and you're left wondering: now what? Well, first and foremost, don't panic, and instead follow this checklist:

  1. If you are driving pull to the shoulder of the road as soon as you can do so safely.
  2. Inspect all 4 tires for signs of damage and noticeable loss of tire pressure. The correct tire pressure for your Subaru can be found on the inside door panel.
  3. If there is visible damage and/or any tire is visibly low on air, you should change your tire or call Subaru Roadside Assistance, AAA, or another roadside service provider.  (Don't forget your new Subaru includes roadside service for the first 36 months and 36,000 miles!)
  4. If there is no visible damage you should proceed with caution as some damage may not be immediately noticeable however other common factors are often the cause of your TPMS light coming on and do not require any repairs!

And if all else fails, and your tires have reached their expiration, you do have your fair shake of tires to choose from here at Schaller Subaru, as well as the help from our experienced technicians.  Choose amongst a huge premium tire selection or have our tire experts help you care for the tires currently equipped on your Subaru. Just be sure to explore our tire specials before making an appointment to join us here at our 34 Frontage Road location in Berlin, CT.

Join us as we help you continue to drive with confidence and without tire worry today.

Question About TPMS Light

What does it mean when the TPMS comes on?

If the TPMS light comes on and flashes for one second and then turns off for three, this indicates that something is in fact wrong with your TPMS system, and that it might be time to have our service technicians work their magic.

However, if your TPMS comes on and stays on, this is when you should be wary. The TPMS signifies that one or more of your tires is not at the correct tire pressure. It's time to pull out your tire gauge and pump, or find yourself a gas station.

Why does the tire pressure change in the first place?

Tire pressure often corresponds with drastic temperature changes, something that we in Hartford, Vernon, Wallingford, Watertown, Canton and Berlin are all too familiar with. Tire pressure drops about 1 psi for every 10 degree drop in temperature. Additionally, everyday use contributes to pressure loss. Air escapes the tire and rim naturally over time, contributing to a loss of as much as 1.5 psi per month.

Having a semblance of what your TPMS signifies as well as the basics of tire pressure helps you better address that exclamation mark when it does decide to make an appearance.