Tire Inflation Lamp Confounds U.S. Drivers

Talk about your idiot lights.

A recent study by TPMS-maker Schrader showed that 33% of drivers have no idea what the low tire pressure warning lamp on their dashboards means.

The TPMS icon, which now shows up on all consumer vehicles sold in the U.S., illuminates when the inflation pressure of one or more of a vehicle’s tires falls to 25% below the vehicle maker’s recommended inflation pressure.

Schrader’s study, however, showed that driver familiarity with the new “idiot light” is wanting. And NHTSA’s designed and mandated icon is not helping.

Schrader’s survey also found that 46% of drivers had no idea that the icon was supposed to represent a tire, and 14% thought it was a warning lamp for another vehicle system.

The study also showed that while 96% of drivers agree that driving on underinflated tires is a safety issue, 44% claim to rarely check their tire pressures.

Schrader created a website – HYPERLINK "http://www.tpmsmadesimple.com" TPMSmadesimple.com – to help drivers learn about tire inflation and TPMS, including instructions on what to do when that TPMS warning lamp lights up.

“Drivers can sometimes take it for granted that their vehicle’s four tires are what keep them connected to the road," says Carl Wacker, Schrader vice president told USA Today. “Just like seatbelts and airbags, TPMS helps protect drivers when their safety is most at risk."

Ascot Supply Corporation, based in Newnan, Georgia, has selected Mark Paquette for the newly created position of vice president. In this position, Ascot Supply said Paquette will oversee the growth of the company's products, corporate profitability, manage marketing and advertising and assume many other responsibilities.

He will work under the direction of current President David Kessler and officially begin his new role on June 3. Paquette joined the tire and automotive industry in the early 1980s at his father's tire shop, and his contributions to Mohawk Rubber Sales were instrumental in the company's growth and eventual sale to Myers Tire Supply in 2021, according to Ascot Supply. Paquette eventually was given a promotion to the role of director of operations at Myers Tire Supply.