How-to · Elgin CDJR · Streamwood, IL
Ram 1500 Tire Pressure, TPMS and Trailer TPMS Guide
A Ram 1500 works hard, and its tires carry the load. The right pressure is on a placard on the driver's side, and the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) warns you when a road tire falls too low. Some trucks can also watch the trailer's tires. Here is how it all works, from the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual.
1 psipressure change for about every 12°F of temperature change
+4 psimay be needed when filling warm tires to clear the light
Up to 20 minof driving above 15 mph for the TPMS to update
12trailer tires per trailer with Trailer TPMS, if equipped
The short answer
Set the tires to the cold pressures on the placard on the driver's side B-pillar or the rear edge of the driver's door; the placard lists front, rear and spare pressures. When the TPMS light comes on, inflate the low tires to the placard pressure and drive; the light goes off once the system reads the new pressures, which may take up to 20 minutes above 15 mph. A light that flashes for 75 seconds and then stays on means a system fault, not just a low tire.
Where to find the right Ram 1500 tire pressure
The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the driver's side B-pillar or the rear edge of the driver's side door. The placard gives cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear and spare tires.
The cold pressure must not exceed the maximum inflation pressure molded into the tire sidewall. The sidewall number is a limit, not the pressure to run.
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Tire Loading And Tire Pressure; Tire Inflation Pressures), read October 26, 2026.
Cold tires, warm tires and winter mornings
Placard pressures are cold pressures: the reading after the truck has not been driven for at least three hours, or has been driven less than 1 mile after sitting for at least three hours. Pressure normally rises 2 to 6 psi as you drive. Do not reduce that build-up, or the tires will be too low.
Tire pressure changes about 1 psi for every 12°F of air temperature change. If you check in a 68°F garage and it is 32°F outside, add 3 psi over the placard pressure so the tires are right outdoors.
- At least once a month, check and adjust pressure with a good quality pocket-type gauge.
- Do not judge by eye; tires can look fine while underinflated.
- Inspect the tires for wear or visible damage.
- Reinstall the valve stem caps after every check.
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Tire Inflation Pressures; Tire Pressure Monitoring System), read October 26, 2026.
How to turn off the Ram 1500 tire pressure light
The TPMS warns you when a tire falls below the low-pressure limit for any reason, including cold weather and natural air loss, and it stays on until the tire is at or above the cold placard pressure. The cluster shows each tire's pressure, with low tires in a different color and an "Inflate to XX" message; the Uconnect radio may show a TPMS message.
- Stop as soon as possible and inflate the low tires to the placard pressure shown in the "Inflate to XX" message.
- If the tires are warm, you may need up to 4 psi above the placard pressure to turn the light off.
- Drive. The system updates automatically; it may take up to 20 minutes above 15 mph for the light to go off.
The manual's example: with a 30 psi placard, a tire at 27 psi on a 68°F day drops to about 23 psi at 20°F, enough to turn the light on. Driving may bring it back to about 27 psi, but the light stays on until the tire is inflated to the placard pressure.
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Tire Pressure Monitoring System; Low Pressure Warnings), read October 26, 2026.
Ram 1500 TPMS warnings and messages
| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| TPMS light on, chime, low tires in a different color, "Inflate to XX" | Pressure is low in one or more of the four road tires. | Inflate the low tires to the cold placard pressure. |
| Light flashes for 75 seconds, then stays on; "SERVICE TPM SYSTEM" and dashes (--) | A system fault: a sensor signal is not being received. | Causes include signal interference from electronic devices or facilities, aftermarket window tint that blocks radio signals, snow or ice around the wheels, tire chains, or wheels without TPMS sensors. The sequence repeats at each ignition cycle while the fault exists. |
| Light flashes, then stays on; "Tire Pressure Temporarily Unavailable" | A fault caused by an incorrect TPMS sensor location condition. | Once the fault no longer exists, the tire pressure screen returns with the values in the correct locations. |
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Tire Pressure Monitoring System: Service TPMS Warning), read October 26, 2026.
Spare tires and the TPMS
A non-matching full size spare or a compact spare has no TPMS sensor, so the system does not monitor it. If you put one on in place of a low road tire, the light and a LOW TIRE message stay on at the next start. After up to 20 minutes above 15 mph, the light flashes for 75 seconds and stays on, with a SERVICE TPM SYSTEM message and dashes for that position, and that repeats at each start.
Once the original road tire is repaired or replaced and back on the truck, the TPMS updates automatically (the truck may need to be driven up to 20 minutes above 15 mph) and the light turns off, as long as no road tire is below the low-pressure limit.
Towing on a spare has limits too: do not tow a trailer while using a compact spare, and do not drive more than 50 mph when towing on a full size spare.
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Vehicles With Non-Matching Full Size Spare Or Compact Spare; Towing Requirements: Tires), read October 26, 2026.
Tire Fill Alert on the Ram 1500
If your truck is equipped with Tire Fill Alert, it lets you know when the placard pressure is reached while you inflate or deflate a tire. It can be enabled or disabled in the Uconnect Settings.
- Put the ignition in RUN with the transmission in PARK. The engine does not need to run.
- Start filling one tire. The hazard lamps come on to confirm Tire Fill Alert mode. If they do not, move the truck slightly forward or backward.
- The horn sounds once at the recommended pressure, and three times if the tire is overfilled. Let air out until it sounds once.
- Fill one tire at a time. The mode is not available while a TPMS fault is active.
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Tire Fill Alert), read October 26, 2026.
Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring (if equipped)
If your Ram 1500 has the Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TTPMS), it shows the trailer's tire pressures and warns you of a low trailer tire pressure, based on the target pressure you set, or of a system malfunction. It supports up to 12 trailer tires per trailer on up to four trailer profiles. The provided sensors must be installed in the trailer tires and paired to the truck; more sensors are available from an authorized Ram dealer.
- In the radio, open the trailer settings, choose the trailer profile and open the Tire Pressure menu, then select Setup All Tires.
- Select the number of axles (1 to 3), the number of trailer tires and the target pressure (25 to 125 psi).
- Pair the sensors in the order shown: starting with tire 1, let out 5 psi and wait for a horn chirp (up to three minutes). Repeat for each tire without leaving the screen.
- The truck cannot be driven until pairing is complete. It may take up to 10 minutes above 15 mph for the system to show the trailer tire pressures.
If a trailer tire is low, the cluster shows "Trailer Tire Pressure Low" with the low tires in a different color. Stop as soon as possible and inflate them to your programmed target pressure. Before towing, also check the trailer tires for proper inflation and look for wear or damage.
From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual (Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System; Towing Requirements: Tires), read October 26, 2026.
Tire and TPMS service for your Ram at Elgin CDJR
Our Ram service center offers tire service along with maintenance and repairs. If your tire pressure warning keeps coming back, schedule a visit and tell your service advisor about the message you see. Additional trailer tire sensors can be purchased at an authorized Ram dealership.
Our service department is open Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Sunday; holiday hours can differ. Elgin CDJR is at 1500 W. Lake St. (U.S. 20) in Streamwood. Get directions.
Schedule service online, or visit our Ram service center page.
Ram 1500 tire pressure FAQ
What should my Ram 1500 tire pressure be?
Use the cold pressures on the placard on the driver's side B-pillar or the rear edge of the driver's door. The placard lists front, rear and spare pressures for the tires your truck came with.
How do I reset the TPMS light on a Ram 1500?
Inflate the low tires to the cold placard pressure and drive. The system updates automatically once it receives the new pressures, which may take up to 20 minutes above 15 mph.
Why does my Ram show dashes instead of a tire pressure?
Dashes with a SERVICE TPM SYSTEM message mean a sensor signal is not being received. Snow or ice around the wheels, tire chains, window tint that blocks radio signals, nearby interference, or wheels without sensors can cause it.
Does the TPMS monitor my spare tire?
A non-matching full size spare or compact spare has no sensor and is not monitored. If it replaces a low road tire, after up to 20 minutes above 15 mph the truck shows a SERVICE TPM SYSTEM message at each start until the original tire is reinstalled.
Can I tow on the spare tire?
Do not tow a trailer on a compact spare, and do not drive more than 50 mph when towing on a full size spare.
Can my Ram 1500 monitor trailer tire pressure?
Yes, if it is equipped with the Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Install and pair the sensors and set a target pressure from 25 to 125 psi; the truck shows the trailer tire pressures and warns of a low trailer tire based on that target.
Where can I get more trailer tire sensors?
The manual says additional sensors can be purchased at an authorized Ram dealership, such as Elgin CDJR.
Tire light or sensor problem on your Ram?
Schedule tire service at Elgin CDJR in Streamwood.
Sources
Tire pressure, TPMS and trailer TPMS details are from the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual, read on October 26, 2026; other model years can differ, so check your own manual. Our services, address and hours are from our own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.