Why Your Tire Pressure Light May Suddenly Turn On as Temperatures DropFirst for AutosWhitney DanhauerMon, September 14, 2026 at 3:40 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleiStockIf your tire pressure warning light suddenly appears on a chilly morning, it doesn't necessarily mean you have a flat tire.Cold weather can cause the air pressure inside of your tires to drop, which is why drivers may notice that little yellow warning light more often as temperatures start to fall.According to an August 6 article on Consumer Reports, tire pressure generally drops one pound per square inch, or PSI, for every 10-degree Fahrenheit drop in temperature.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe warning light may even disappear after you've been driving for a while because driving warms the tires and, as a result, increases the pressure. However, that doesn't mean the alert should be ignored.Ingram Publishing/Newscom/The Mega AgencyThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends checking tire pressure at least once a month when the tires are cold, which means the vehicle hasn't been driven for at least three hours.As First for Autos previously reported, drivers can find the correct tire pressure for their vehicle on the label inside the driver's side door or in the owner's manual. Don't use the maximum pressure printed on the tire itself as a guide.Drivers also shouldn't rely solely on their vehicle's tire pressure monitoring system to alert them when there's a problem. According to the NHTSA, the warning system generally only alerts drivers after a tire has become significantly underinflated.Read More From First For AutosThe Tire Pressure Number on Your Tires May Not Be the One You Should UseMost Kids Are Moving Out of Booster Seats Too Soon, New Data ShowsHow Gas Pumps Know to Shut Off When a Vehicle's Tank Is FullAdvertisementAdvertisementThis story Why Your Tire Pressure Light May Suddenly Turn On as Temperatures Drop first appeared on First For Autos. Follow First For Autos on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.