The main purpose of the Tesla Model Tire Pressure Warning is to warn you when the tire pressure dips under a minimum threshold. Underinflated tires create unsafe driving conditions.
When you get a tire pressure warning, it could mean that your tires are underinflated. Or it could mean something else. Low tire pressure can lead to excessive wear on your tire and result in outright tire failure. Here are more details about Tesla’s tire pressure monitoring system.
What Triggers Tesla Model Tire Pressure Warning?
Tesla rings the alarm if the tire pressure dips under a safe level. The low point for most Tesla models is 39 pounds per square inch (PSI).
Warnings are also issued if the rim gets bent, the sensor is broken down, or the tire gets punctured. A Tesla-certified service center should repair flat tires and bent rims.
A slight drop in tire pressure due to the cold weather can also result in alerts. You should never ignore low-tire pressure alerts.
Don’t even ignore false alarms because the Tesla won’t want you when the tire pressure dips below unsafe levels.
The Most Likely Scenarios of Tire Pressure Alerts
Most Tesla drivers get tire pressure alerts due to three main issues. These are
- A dent in the rim
- Cold weather
- Tire puncture
- False alarm due to inaccurate alert systems (this is rare)
Puncture Leading to Tire Pressure Alarm
Flat tires are a major safety hazard that can lead to a serious accident. A flat tire can also damage your electric car in California irreparably.
At higher speeds, flat tires can cause you to lose control of the car. The most common cause of flat tires is sharp rocks, screws, nails, and other jagged objects on the road.
Here’s what you can do if you get a tire pressure warning when driving:
- Slow down and pull over to the road’s shoulder. Activate the indicator lights to alert other drivers that you are pulling over because of an emergency. Keep the indicator lights active.
- Once you have safely pulled over, inspect the tire. If the tire is not bulging or flat, inspect the tire’s tread. Try to see as much of the tire as possible. You may notice something sharp stuck to the tire.
- If the tire appears to be fine, ask yourself the following questions:
- Has this happened to me before
- Did I Hit a bump before the alarm was triggered?
- How old are the tires?
It is time to call Tesla’s roadside assistance for help with this problem. You can find their number in the instruction manual or Tesla computer.
Bent Tire Rim Causing the Alarm
Most Tesla models are not designed for off-road driving. These electric cars in California are designed for street driving.
Tesla will be releasing the Cyber truck for off-road driving. But until then, you should stick to the streets. This means avoiding hard bumps, potholes, and roads that are in disrepair.
Rough surfaces can damage your Tesla’s tires. Some people hit a large pothole that causes a dent in the tire’s rim.
The damaged rim pushes against the tire and causes an alarm. This problem is not likely to occur all the time. But you should be careful if you go over bumpy roads.
It may not be easy to observe a dented rim. If you’ve inspected your Tesla for low pressure but can’t find the root cause of the alarm, it’s time to call a certified mechanic.
Your rim may have to be replaced. This will be costly, but you must repair the rim for safety reasons.
Cold Temperature Leading to Low Tire Pressure
Cold temperatures can cause the air to contract. If you live in areas where the temperatures get extremely cold, you will likely get a tire pressure warning.
In most cases, the tire pressure alarm due to cold weather will self-correct. However, if the tire pressure was already low before the freezing temperatures, you might notice a loss in traction.
The best fix is to park your Tesla in a climate-controlled environment. This will prevent tire pressure problems. It will also regulate the temperature when it gets too cold outside.
If storing the Teals in a climate-controlled facility is not possible, you can try other options. The first is to increase the tire’s pressure in cold weather.
We recommend keeping an emergency tire inflator to keep the tires inflated in the cold weather, you should increase the tire pressure slightly higher than normal.
Be careful not to exceed the tire’s maximum recommended pressure. Read Tesla’s instruction manual to learn about optimal tire pressure in cold weather.
You can also contact a certified mechanic for more questions about maximum tire pressure.
Tire Change or Rotation
If you recently rotate new tires, the tire sensors may need to be reset. This may mean that you should drive around for a few minutes so the tire can reset.
If this doesn’t work, you may have to go to a Tesla-certified service center for complete calibration.
Tire Pressure Monitor Sensors are Damaged
Tire pressure monitor sensors can get damaged over time. This often happens because of driving over bumps and potholes.
Changing tires can also damage the sensors. Moreover, the onboard battery in the sensors tends to wear out. These batteries are usually primed to last 5 to 10 years.
It is also likely for the sensor to be destroyed if the tire was damaged. Filing the tire with anything other than air may also damage the sensors.
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Perform a System Reset
In some cases, you can fix the pressure warning by resetting it. Check your Tesla’s manual to see how you can reset the tire pressure monitoring sensors.
Here are the instructions for Model S:
- Turn the touchscreen on
- Navigate to Controls > Settings > Service & Rest > Tire Pressure Monitor > Reset Sensors
- Note that you will be asked to choose the wheel size before resetting the sensors. Make sure to choose the correct wheel size.
- Choosing the incorrect wheel size will result in false alarms. If you have entered the incorrect wheel size, you can always go back to the touch screen and enter the right wheel size.
The other method of resetting the tire pressure sensor is to drive above 25 mph for 20 minutes.
Where are the Tire Pressure Sensors Located?
Tire pressure sensors are usually located inside the tires. You can often see the sensors when looking at the air valve on the tires.
Can I Drive the Car Safely when Tire Pressure Warning is On?
Ignoring the tire pressure warning on your Tesla is not recommended. The issue may appear minor at first, but it could develop into a serious problem later on.
It could also lead to a serious accident that could endanger lives. If the tires are underinflated, they will be prone to failure, blowout, and overheating.
All of these are problems that you should consider very seriously. Moreover, driving the car in a straight line will be harder. You will also notice a decrease in control over the roadway.
Losing tire pressure at high speeds is extremely dangerous for you and others on the road.
Tesla Model Y Tire Pressure Warning
It is recommended to keep the tire pressure between 40 PSI to 45 PSI. During winter, you can inflate the pressure value by 3 to 5 psi above recommended tire pressure settings.
Do not over-inflate the tires past the maximum tire inflation value. You can use the official app to check tire pressure.
Tesla has made several updates to their APIs in the past months. Drivers have noticed that the API now includes Tire Pressure Monitoring System data.
The API can alert Tesla drivers when the pressure drops too low. There is potential for an update that lets drivers get notifications when the tires are under or over-inflated.
The update will be helpful to Model Y drivers living in colder areas of the world. This would allow the sensors to report tire pressure readings for a wide range.
Tips to Maintain Tire Pressure
Tire maintenance is important for your Tesla. We recommend checking tire pressure every time you inflate your car. Don’t wait until the TIMPS indicator warns you about the tire pressure.
It is recommended to check your tires at least once a month.
The best way to maintain your tires is to keep them at the manufacturer’s recommended settings. A properly inflated tire provides many benefits, including:
- Longer range per charge
- Longer life
- Better steering response
- Smoother ride
Follow these tire maintenance tips before going on your next adventure
Check the Pressure
It is important to check the tire pressure before departing for a long trip. The same applies if you are carrying a lot of heavy cargo.
As mentioned earlier, don’t wait for the tire pressure warning to keep them at the optimum PSI. Check your Tesla vehicle’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure for all tires.
Check the Tread Depth
Tires should have a tread depth of more than 2/32 inches. You can check this with the help of a tread depth gauge.
An alternative is to insert a one-cent coin into each tread groove. Keep Lincoln’s head upside down and make observations.
The tire is worn out if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head. Always keep an eye out for uneven wear.
While you’re at it, look for bumps, bulges, bruises, splits, and cracks. If you find these problems, head to the nearest service center before going on a long journey.
The last thing you want is a tire failure in the middle of nowhere.
Don’t Exceed the Maximum Weight Recommendation
Like ICE cars, Teslas have a maximum weight recommendation. This can be found in the owner’s manual.
Your tires also have a maximum load rating that you can read on their sidewall. Make sure to take note of these limits. Excessive loads are harsh on tires and can disrupt ride quality and handling.
As a rule, heavier cars will be more difficult to handle. Moreover, carrying an excessive load will reduce your range
Rotate Tires
Finally, it is important to rotate your tires based on Tesla’s manufacturer settings. It is recommended to rotate tires once every 5000 miles.
This will ensure that the tires work as they are designed. Rotating tires also prevent unexpected surprises such as flat or low tire pressure.
How to Improve Tire Life
Keep your Tesla Model Y tire pressure at the manufacturer-recommended PSI. This will improve your mileage and help you get more out of the tire.
Optimizing your Tesla Model Y’s tire pressure at the recommended settings will get more miles out of the tires.
Avoid hard acceleration because it can put undue stress on your tires. Here are a few things to avoid when handling your Tesla:
- Pressing too hard on the brakes
- Making quick turns
- Going over potholes and other obstacles on the road
- Hitting curbs when parking or making turns at an intersection
- Allowing fluids on your tires to accumulate and cause damage.
- Exceeding the tire’s speed rating, which can be found on their sidewall
It is important to only use tires that are recommended by Tesla. Using tires that don’t align with your car’s specifications could lead to low tire pressure and trigger the tire pressure warning.
Is the Tesla Model Y Equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System?
Tesla Model Y electric cars in California built after 2007 are likely to have Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems.
Consult your Tesla manual to see if it has TPMS. If not, you can buy an aftermarket Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Wrapping Up
There are a few reasons why your Tesla Model Y is giving you tire pressure warnings. In most cases, all you have to do is inflate the tires to the recommended PSI value.
However, if the tire pressure warning does not cease, you should take the Tesla to a certified center. Have an expert investigate the cause of the warning.
Has your Tesla ever issued tire pressure warnings before? Let us know how you dealt with the issue.
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My name is Matthew, staying in Seattle, Washington. Electric Vehicles (Electric Cars & Electric bikes) caught my attention for the last few years and my love for electric cars and bikes is everlasting. I spend many of my weekends traveling to various places all over various cities with my electric vehicle (e-bike and electric car). Here I am sharing my expertise, experience, and invaluable information about electric cars and electric bikes. Check out more.