The tire pressure monitor constantly lights up on my 2005 Toyota Corolla. And just as frequently I check and adjust the pressure on all four tires. The pattern of low/adequate pressure is random - sometimes the tires will be fine, sometimes one or more will be off by 1-4 pounds. The history is this: I don't use the car that much. When I had my 3,500 mile checkup at the dealer, I had to go back twice (as I was driving away) because this warning light came on - they explained that it was due to not using a digital tire pressure gauge to get all four tires the same. The second time I went to the dealer for my 7,500 mile checkup, they rotated my tires and didn't notice a screw that was in one of them! So I went to a chain auto repair place which removed the screw and plugged the hole. Today, the warning light will come on, predictably if I do about 10 minutes of highway driving. Further, the low pressure does not always occur on that fixed-up tire. Finally, my question is this: do I go to the chain or dealer to get this checked out? In my gut, I actually trust the chain auto repair place (they've always treated me nicely when I serviced a 1987 Plymouth Sundance there) over the Toyota dealer. I just don't know if the dealer will have an edge in locating a problem with the tire pressure monitoring system or if a reputable chain place will be equally informed.
Answers from the Automotive Experts
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