Why You Should Never Ignore Your Low Tire Pressure Light in a Michigan Winter

If you’re like me, you do your best to stay on top of car maintenance. You try to remember to get the oil changed, and you’re pretty sure you know what most of the lights on your dashboard mean—most of the time. (It's okay if you have to google some of them occasionally, as long as you don't ignore them.)

But when that low tire pressure light comes on during a snowy Michigan morning commute, it’s easy to brush it off as “just the cold weather.” Trust me, that’s a mistake you don’t want to make.

Why does it happen? Well- just like the air pressure changes all around us for the weather, it does the same inside your tires. This causes them to slightly deflate since the colder air is taking up less space.

I recently learned how important it is to pay attention to that little warning light. Driving with low tire pressure isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s dangerous—especially in winter. Here’s what can happen if you ignore it:

• Reduced traction: Underinflated tires don’t grip the road as well, and on icy or snowy streets, that’s a recipe for disaster.
• Increased tire wear: Low tire pressure makes your tires wear out faster, and replacing a set of tires isn’t cheap. So, save yourself the headache and make sure you have the correct PSI all year round.
• Risk of blowouts: Severely low pressure can cause a blowout, which is scary enough on dry pavement, let alone during a snowstorm.
• Poor handling: Low-pressure tires make it harder to steer and stop, which you’ll really notice when maneuvering through snow and slush. Or those slippery side streets after multiple day of Lake Effect snow build up.

So, what should you do when that light pops on? Pull over safely as soon as you can, stop and check your tires. Or if your car has sensors, make sure that they're all at the correct (and equal) PSI. If not, inflate them. Most gas stations have air compressors, the same goes with tire and oil shops.

Not sure what the tires should be at? Your car manual or door frame sticker will tell you the recommended PSI.

Ignoring that light can lead to bigger problems—and bigger bills. Take a few minutes to check your tires. It’s a small effort that can make a huge difference, keeping you and everyone on the road safer this winter.

And speaking of being safer in your car...