Tire pressure warning light
A yellow warning light for low tire pressure, or for a fault in the tire pressure monitoring system.
How to read it
The symbol is a tire seen in cross-section, with an exclamation mark inside. Toyota says it indicates low tire inflation pressure or a malfunction in the tire pressure warning system, and Nissan's LEAF manual that it warns of low tire pressure or indicates that the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is not functioning properly. UN Regulation No. 121 sets it as yellow.
Also searched as: low tire pressure light, TPMS light.
Dashboard symbols vary by manufacturer. The vehicle's owner's manual or a qualified mechanic can say what a light means for a particular vehicle.
Why is the tire pressure light flashing?
Under the US tire pressure monitoring standard (FMVSS No. 138), a light that flashes for 60 to 90 seconds after the vehicle is switched on, then stays lit, signals a fault in the monitoring system itself rather than low pressure. Nissan's LEAF manual describes that sequence, about a minute of flashing and then a steady light, and says to have the system checked; Ford's F-150 manual says to have it checked if the light flashes at any time.
What the manual says to do
For a steady light, Ford's manual says to check the tire pressure as soon as possible.
Why is it still on after filling the tires?
The light goes out only after some driving. Nissan's LEAF manual says the car must be driven above 16 mph (25 km/h) after the tires are inflated; Ford's F-150 manual says to drive for at least two minutes above 20 mph (32 km/h).
Related products on Amazon
- Tire pressure gaugeNissan’s owner’s manual says to use a tire pressure gauge to check the tire pressure when the low tire pressure light is on.Search Amazon for tire pressure gauge
- Portable tire inflatorFord’s owner’s manual describes adding air until the tire reaches its recommended pressure.Search Amazon for portable tire inflator
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through these links. The pictures are our own drawings of the kind of product, not a particular one, and nothing here is a recommendation.
Read next
- Next in Dashboard warning lightsSeat belt reminderA red reminder that a seat belt is not fastened.
- In Tire sidewall markingsMax load and max pressureMAX LOAD and MAX PRESS on a sidewall give the most weight the tire is rated to carry and the highest cold pressure it is rated for. The pressure the vehicle’s maker specifies is a different figure, on the placard in the driver’s door opening.
More dashboard warning lights
The same shape elsewhere
Browse symbols drawn with curves and waves.
Sources
- Toyota Dashboard Symbols & Warning Lights Meaning, Toyota Motor North America (MyToyota)
- 2020 Nissan LEAF Owner's Manual, Nissan North America, Instruments and controls, warning and indicator lights
- Regulation No. 121: Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to the location and identification of hand controls, tell-tales and indicators, UN Regulation No. 121, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (text published by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism), Table 1
- 49 CFR 571.138, Standard No. 138: Tire pressure monitoring systems (2012 edition), FMVSS No. 138, US Government Publishing Office (Code of Federal Regulations), S4.4(c)
- 2020 F-150 Owner's Manual, Ford Motor Company, Instrument Cluster: Low Tire Pressure Warning Lamp; Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Researched, edited and approved by Rory Hansen before publishing. Last reviewed September 26, 2026. How we research
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