A puncture and a TPMS warning

Assess the situation safely first

If a tire is punctured, loses pressure quickly, is visibly damaged, or the car handles unusually, stop where it is safe regardless of the TPMS icon or its color. Do not keep driving just because no alert has appeared. If the vehicle is in a dangerous location, move people to safety first and call for assistance. Do not inspect the wheel from the side of moving traffic.

TPMS is not identical on every car

Depending on configuration, the vehicle uses direct TPMS with sensors in the wheels or indirect TPMS, which estimates pressure loss. A direct system may show values for each wheel; an indirect system reports low pressure without those measurements. Alerts and wording depend on the system and vehicle version. If a reading is unclear, open the manual for your generation and read the full screen message instead of looking for a universal reset setting.

Use the placard and measure cold tires

The target pressure is shown on the label in the driver’s door opening; it may differ from the number printed on the tire sidewall. Use an accurate gauge when the tires are cold, and do not release air from a warm tire to match a cold value. Check every wheel when pressure is low and recheck after inflation. Visible damage, pressure loss, a repeated alert, or changed handling calls for professional inspection.

Calibration does not repair a puncture

On some configurations, indirect TPMS must be calibrated manually after pressure changes or wheel changes; a direct system may need a short drive to refresh readings. Calibration sets a baseline; it cannot stop a leak or repair damage. Do not start it until the cold pressures are correct. Confirm the TPMS type in the manual for this specific vehicle, and arrange repair or recovery with an appropriate service provider if uncertain.

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