What does the TPMS light indicate when illuminated on the dashboard?

When the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) light is illuminated on the dashboard, it primarily indicates that one or more tires are significantly underinflated, which poses a safety risk while driving. Low tire pressure can lead to decreased vehicle stability, increased tire wear, and impaired fuel efficiency, making it essential for the system to alert the driver.

The TPMS works by using sensors in the tires that monitor the air pressure and send this information to the vehicle’s onboard computer. If the pressure drops below a certain threshold, the system triggers the TPMS light as a warning to the driver to check the tire inflation levels.

This warning is critical because operating a vehicle with low tire pressure can compromise handling and braking, increasing the risk of blowouts. The other options relate to different vehicle systems or maintenance needs that do not specifically involve the tire pressure monitoring system, thus confirming that option B is the correct interpretation of what the TPMS light indicates.