When Driving; Tire Pressure Monitoring System- Page 198

4–94

When Driving

Tire Pressure Monitoring System

CAUTION



  Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and 

inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle 

placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the 

size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine 

the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)

  As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring 

system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires 

is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, 

you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper 

pressure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can 

lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may 

affect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.

  Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the 

driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not 

reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.

  Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when 

the system is not operating properly. 

  The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the 

system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately one minute and then 

remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle 

start-ups as long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, 

the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS 

malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of replacement 

or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. 

Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on 

your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to 

continue to function properly.



  To avoid false readings, the system samples for a little while before indicating a problem. As 

a result it will not instantaneously register a rapid tire deflation or blow out.

MX-5_8EU4-EA-15D_Edition3.indb   94

2015/10/21   16:53:40