Quick Summary:
- Stop in a safe bay, check all tyres visually before driving.
- Find the door-jamb pressure label, compare it with dashboard readings.
- Use the airport air line, inflate to spec, then reset TPMS.
- Photograph warnings, tyre condition, and receipts before leaving airport roads.
Seeing a tyre-pressure warning as you pull away from Orlando International Airport (MCO) can be unnerving, especially after a long flight. The good news is that most warnings are straightforward to resolve if you handle them methodically before you hit the main roads. This guide is a practical, step-by-step checklist aimed at car hire pick-ups at MCO, so you can verify pressures, document what you found, and decide quickly whether you should ask for a different vehicle.
If you are arranging a car hire for Orlando, it helps to know where to get support and what documentation matters. Hola Car Rentals provides MCO-specific information on its landing pages, including Orlando airport car rental options and car rental at Orlando MCO, which can be useful context when you need to communicate clearly at the counter.
1) Do not ignore the warning, but do not panic
A tyre-pressure warning light usually means one of three things: a tyre is under-inflated, the system detected a rapid change in pressure, or the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is confused after a recent pressure adjustment. At MCO, temperature changes between the air-conditioned garage and Florida heat can also nudge readings.
Your first goal is safety. Your second goal is evidence. Your third goal is to avoid time-consuming back-and-forth once you have left airport roads.
2) Pull into a safe spot before leaving airport roads
Before you merge into fast traffic, find a safe place to stop. Ideally, remain in or near the rental car facility area, where it is easy to return to the desk if needed. Avoid stopping on ramps or shoulders. If you cannot stop immediately, drive slowly and carefully until you can.
While stationary, glance at the dashboard display. Some cars show which tyre is low and the current PSI. Take note of what the system reports, but do not rely on it as the only truth.
3) Do a quick walk-around: tyres, valve caps, obvious damage
Before you fetch any tools or queue for an air line, do a fast visual and tactile check:
Look for a visibly flat tyre. If any tyre looks noticeably lower than the others, that is a red flag for a puncture or bead leak. In that case, you should not continue driving around the airport trying to “top it up” repeatedly.
Check the sidewalls. Bulges, deep scuffs, or exposed cords can indicate structural damage. A tyre with sidewall damage is not a “just add air” situation.
Check for missing valve caps. A missing cap does not usually cause a sudden leak, but it can allow debris in and complicate pressure checks. Photograph it, because it indicates poor handover inspection.
Look at the wheel area. If you hear hissing, see a nail, or spot wet patches consistent with sealant, treat it as a likely puncture.
4) Find the correct pressure specification, do not guess
For car hire vehicles, the correct tyre pressures are set by the manufacturer, not by the maximum pressure written on the tyre sidewall. You need the car’s specification label, typically located on the driver’s door jamb, the door edge, or inside the fuel flap.
On the label you will usually see front and rear pressures (sometimes different), often listed in PSI and kPa. Use those numbers as your target. If the label is missing or unreadable, that is important to document, because it prevents you from verifying the car properly.
Also check whether the label specifies different pressures for heavy loads. For a typical Orlando holiday load, use the normal setting unless the vehicle is packed to the roof with passengers and luggage.
5) Measure pressure with a reliable gauge if possible
Dashboard PSI readouts can lag and may be inaccurate if the system has not updated. If you have a small digital gauge in your travel kit, use it. If you do not, you can still proceed, but be more careful about documentation.
Measure each tyre, not just the one flagged. Sometimes a single low tyre triggers the warning, but the others may also be under-inflated. Take a photo of your gauge showing each reading if you can do it clearly.
Important detail: tyre pressures are ideally checked when tyres are “cold”. At MCO, you are usually fine because you have not driven far. If you have already driven several miles, the tyres may read higher. In that case, inflate to spec if the tyres are below spec, but do not deflate hot tyres below the label value.
6) Inflate to the door-label spec and recheck
If the tyre is just slightly low, inflating can fix the issue quickly. Inflate each tyre to the exact door-label PSI. Recheck after each inflation, because air lines can overshoot quickly.
After inflation, look for one tyre that loses pressure again within a few minutes. If a tyre drops rapidly, it may have a puncture, and continuing will likely make it worse. That is typically a swap request rather than a “keep driving and monitor” scenario.
7) Reset or relearn the TPMS if needed
Some vehicles clear the warning automatically after you drive a short distance at speed. Others require a reset through the vehicle menu. If your car has an infotainment menu option for TPMS reset or “relearn”, follow the prompts after you set pressures correctly.
Do not reset before inflating, because you can accidentally “teach” the system that an under-inflated tyre is normal. If you are unsure, consult the glovebox manual or use the on-screen help prompts.
8) Document everything on-site, before you leave the rental area
Documentation is what protects you if the issue becomes a dispute later. Create a simple record while you are still at MCO:
Photos: Take clear photos of the warning light, the dashboard PSI screen (if available), each tyre’s condition, and the door-jamb pressure label. Add a wide shot showing the car and its registration plate if possible.
Time and location: Note that it happened at MCO at pick-up. A screenshot of your phone’s time can help.
Air line receipt or record: If you paid for air at a nearby station, keep the receipt. If it was free, write a short note in your phone listing the before and after PSI readings.
Rental paperwork: Keep the check-out slip and any pre-existing damage sheet. If the low tyre was not marked, that matters.
This is also the moment to contact the rental desk if the car is not roadworthy. If you arranged your car hire via Hola Car Rentals, having the right MCO page to reference can help you find the correct desk information quickly, such as the guidance on car hire at Orlando MCO.
9) Decide: top-up and go, or request a swap?
Use this practical decision framework before you leave airport roads.
Usually safe to continue after inflation if: the tyre was only 2 to 5 PSI low, it holds pressure after topping up, there is no visible damage, and the warning clears after a short drive or reset.
Request a swap before leaving MCO if: the tyre is visibly low or deformed, the pressure drops again quickly, you see a nail or sidewall damage, the door-label is missing so you cannot verify spec, or the TPMS stays in a fault state after correct inflation.
Be stricter if you are driving long distances. A slow leak might be manageable for short local trips, but it is a hassle and a risk if you plan to head towards theme parks, the coast, or highways immediately.
If you need to switch categories, for example from a car to a larger vehicle, it can be helpful to know what is available at MCO such as van rental at Orlando MCO. The key is to resolve the tyre issue before it becomes your problem on unfamiliar roads.
10) What to say at the counter, keep it factual and specific
When you approach the desk or returns lane, concise details help. Explain: the tyre-pressure warning appeared at pick-up, you checked the door-label spec, you measured and inflated to spec, and either the warning did not clear or the tyre did not hold pressure. Offer to show photos. This is much more effective than a general complaint.
If the staff suggest “just drive and see”, ask what their policy is if the tyre later shows damage-related failure, and whether they can note your record now. If you are uncomfortable, you are within reason to request a different vehicle, especially if the tyre will not maintain pressure.
11) If you must drive off-site, monitor and choose the safest next stop
Sometimes you have to leave the rental facility area to access a proper air line or because traffic conditions make stopping hard. If you do, keep speeds moderate and avoid abrupt steering or heavy braking. Head to the nearest safe forecourt with good lighting.
Recheck pressures after 10 to 15 minutes of driving. If the same tyre is dropping again, return promptly rather than continuing your trip. The earlier you report it, the easier it is to show it was present at handover.
12) Prevent repeat issues during your Orlando stay
Florida heat and frequent short trips can make TPMS lights appear at inconvenient times. A few habits reduce surprises:
Check pressures weekly. Even a good tyre can lose a little air over time.
Do not over-inflate. Over-inflation can worsen ride comfort and handling, and it may still trigger warnings if the TPMS expects a specific range.
Avoid kerb strikes. Parking-lot kerbs can damage sidewalls and wheels, creating slow leaks.
Know your support channels. If you are using a branded counter at MCO, it can help to have the relevant page saved, such as Hertz car rental at Orlando MCO, so you can quickly confirm location details if you need to return.
FAQ
Q: Is a tyre-pressure warning at MCO always a puncture?
A: No. It is often just low pressure from temperature changes or under-inflation. A puncture is more likely if the tyre looks low, loses pressure again quickly, or you can see damage.
Q: Should I inflate to the pressure on the tyre sidewall?
A: No. Use the manufacturer door-jamb label (or fuel flap label). The sidewall number is a maximum rating, not the recommended setting for normal driving.
Q: The light stayed on after I inflated, what now?
A: Confirm each tyre matches the door-label PSI, then drive a short distance to allow TPMS to update. If it still stays on, try the TPMS reset in the menu. If the warning persists, request a check or swap before you travel far.
Q: What photos should I take to protect myself?
A: Photograph the warning light, the PSI screen if available, the door-label pressure spec, and each tyre condition including any visible damage or missing valve cap.
Q: Can I request a different car immediately?
A: Yes, especially if the tyre will not hold pressure, there is visible damage, or the correct pressure spec label is missing. Resolve it before leaving airport roads to avoid extra hassle later.
