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Tesla VCSEC_a228

Air pressure in tires very low PULL OVER SAFELY - Check for flat tire

Common search variants: VCSECa228 · VCSEC-a228 · VCSEC a228 · Search ignores case and common separators.

DriveNot yet established by verified evidence. The verified alert instruction is to pull over safely and check for a flat tire.
ChargeNot yet established by verified evidence.
ServiceFor a repeatedly recurring alert on the same tire, Tesla documentation advises having the tire inspected for a slow leak. It states that you can visit a local tire shop or schedule service using the Tesla Mobile App.
Confidence95%

Quick answer

VCSEC_a228 means Tesla’s TPMS has detected that one or more tires is extremely low or flat. Pull over safely and check for a flat tire.

This page separates verified manufacturer/regulator evidence from supporting material. Unsupported causes, repairs or safety conclusions are not guessed.

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1. What does VCSEC_a228 mean?

VCSEC_a228 means Tesla’s TPMS has detected that one or more tires is extremely low or flat. Pull over safely and check for a flat tire.

2. Technical explanation

Verified Tesla owner-manual material filed by NHTSA states that this alert occurs when the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) detects air pressure in one or more tires that is significantly lower than the recommended cold tire pressure. The alert describes the affected tire condition as extremely low or flat.

3. What system is affected?

Tires and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

4. How serious is this code?

The supplied diagnostic record lists severity as unknown. However, the alert text explicitly says “PULL OVER SAFELY - Check for flat tire.”

5. Symptoms you may notice

  • Tesla display alert: “Air pressure in tires very low PULL OVER SAFELY - Check for flat tire.”
  • TPMS indication that one or more tires has pressure significantly below the recommended cold tire pressure.
  • One or more tires may be extremely low or flat.

6. Possible causes

  • One or more tires has air pressure significantly lower than the recommended cold tire pressure.
  • A flat tire.
  • If the alert repeatedly occurs for the same tire, Tesla documentation says that tire should be inspected for a slow leak.

7. Can I still drive the vehicle?

Not yet established by verified evidence. The verified alert instruction is to pull over safely and check for a flat tire.

8. Can I charge the vehicle?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

9. What you can safely do

  • Pull over safely.
  • Check for a flat tire.
  • Refer to the vehicle’s Tire Care and Maintenance information for tire-pressure and inflation guidance.
  • If the alert repeatedly appears for the same tire, have that tire inspected for a slow leak.
  • Tesla documentation states that owners can visit a local tire shop or schedule service using the Tesla Mobile App for a recurring alert.

10. Step-by-step troubleshooting

  1. Check which tire is indicated by the vehicle’s TPMS, if displayed.
  2. Check for a flat tire after pulling over safely.
  3. If the same tire repeatedly triggers the alert, arrange an inspection for a slow leak.

11. When to contact service

For a repeatedly recurring alert on the same tire, Tesla documentation advises having the tire inspected for a slow leak. It states that you can visit a local tire shop or schedule service using the Tesla Mobile App.

12. What the service center may check

  • Inspect the tire associated with a recurring alert for a slow leak.
  • Assess the tire condition and inflation relative to the recommended cold tire pressure.

13. Possible repair or resolution

  • Not yet established by verified evidence. The supplied documentation supports tire inspection for a slow leak when the alert repeatedly occurs for the same tire.

14. Affected vehicles

15. Related TSBs / service bulletins

  • NHTSA manufacturer communications containing Tesla owner-manual alert guidance document VCSEC_a228, including NHTSA communication 10250484 (published December 1, 2023): https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10250484-9999.pdf
  • Additional verified NHTSA-filed Tesla documentation: 10253666 (published March 27, 2024): https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-10253666-9999.pdf

16. Recall information

  • Not yet established by verified evidence.

17. Official manufacturer information

Official NHTSA-filed Tesla documentation identifies VCSEC_a228 as “Air pressure in tires very low PULL OVER SAFELY - Check for flat tire.” Verified material explains that TPMS detected one or more tires with pressure significantly lower than the recommended cold tire pressure. Sources: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10250484-9999.pdf ; https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-10253666-9999.pdf

19. Frequently asked questions

What does Tesla alert VCSEC_a228 mean?

It means TPMS has detected that one or more tires is extremely low or flat, with pressure significantly below the recommended cold tire pressure.

What should I do when VCSEC_a228 appears?

Pull over safely and check for a flat tire.

What if the alert keeps returning for the same tire?

Tesla documentation says to have that tire inspected for a slow leak. It states that you can visit a local tire shop or schedule Tesla service through the Tesla Mobile App.

Does this alert concern the high-voltage battery or charging system?

Not yet established by verified evidence. The supplied evidence identifies the affected system as the tires and TPMS.

20. Sources & verification

Accepted ResearchVerified
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