Low Tire Pressure Light in Cold Weather, should I Add Air to Prevent Warnings?

Tacoma General Discussions
1

I’ve noticed that on cold mornings, my new Tacoma’s tire pressure light comes on. The sensors in the tires show low pressure. Is it a good idea to add more air to avoid these warnings in the cold?

I understand that cold weather can lower tire pressure, and the tires look fine and drive normally. After driving for a bit, the pressure increases and the light goes off. When I had my old Tacoma, it didn’t have these sensors, and I never had problems, even if the tire pressure was low. Was I better off without the sensors?

2

Mine does this every winter. I just air them back up to around 30psi when it’s cold, and the light goes off.

3

My 2016 has done this for the last 5 years. Once the temps drop below freezing, the light comes on, and the dash shows no tire pressure. I’ve just gotten used to it.

4

Finlo said:
My 2016 has done this for the last 5 years. Once the temps drop below freezing, the light comes on, and the dash shows no tire pressure. I’ve just gotten used to it.

To see the pressure, I need to check the Toyota App. The dash only shows the low pressure icon. The app shows the pressure going up as I drive, and the light eventually goes off. It seems like everything is working fine, but do I need to do anything else?

5

Finlo said:
My 2016 has done this for the last 5 years. Once the temps drop below freezing, the light comes on, and the dash shows no tire pressure. I’ve just gotten used to it.

Not sure. I can scroll through the info system and see a diagram of all 4 tires.

6

The only real solution is to move to a warmer place. It was -5 this morning, and I had to jump the truck… Then the tire pressure light came on.

One cool thing about my aftermarket radio is that it shows all the info that Tacoma reports.

I’ve been thinking a lot about moving to North Carolina lately.

7

@Stevie
What kind of radio is this?

8

Kim said:
@Stevie
What kind of radio is this?

It’s a Kenwood 996xr. There’s a new model with a bigger screen now.

I got the one with GPS because I like having backups.

Here’s what the tire info looks like.

9

@Stevie
That’s really cool. Thanks for showing me that.

10

I set my tires to about 26 psi cold, then pump them back up to 30-32 psi for the winter. The light doesn’t come on unless my pressure drops to 26 or lower, which happens if I have a leak or if I lower the pressure for off-road or snow driving.

11

@Thorn
Thanks. That’s helpful advice.

12

I haven’t had this issue since I started using nitrogen in my tires.

13

Donna said:
I haven’t had this issue since I started using nitrogen in my tires.

That’s interesting. Thanks for sharing.

14

Kim said:

Donna said:
I haven’t had this issue since I started using nitrogen in my tires.

That’s interesting. Thanks for sharing.

I started using it 10 years ago on my old truck, and it worked so well that I’ve kept using it. That annoying light in the mornings really bothered me.

15

@Donna
Is nitrogen the only reason you use it, or are there other benefits?

16

Donna said:
I haven’t had this issue since I started using nitrogen in my tires.

A lot of us here mess with tire pressures when we’re off-roading.

17

Mine has had the light on for 8 years.