Tire Pressure Indicator Warning Light Problem

[joe1347]

My tire pressure warning indicator just lit. However, a quick manual check with a gauge shows that all of my tires are fine. Added a little air to each of the tires, but the indicator is still lit.

Anything to look for or try before heading over to the dealer?

[jdenenberg]

Originally Posted by joe1347

My tire pressure warning indicator just lit. However, a quick manual check with a gauge shows that all of my tires are fine. Added a little air to each of the tires, but the indicator is still lit.

Anything to look for or try before heading over to the dealer?

Check the spare tire pressure.

[joe1347]

Originally Posted by jdenenberg

Check the spare tire pressure.

It's 39.5psi. But is there an active sensor that monitors the pressure in the spare (in the GenII)? After removing the assembly used to hold the spare in place - I couldn't see anything obvious that would function as a tire pressure monitor. Although I'm assuming or guessing that there is an RF transmitter with integrated pressure sensor also in the spare?

Inflated the spare to the recommended pressure - but the tire pressure sensor is still lit.

A gauge check of all of the tires still shows that they are fine.

Problem apparently now resolved. The indicator tripped on the first cold day of the year and I suspect that the TPMS was last reset on one of the hotter days of the year combined with a long trip to the dealer (tires were still hot when rotated). Also, I was running close to 40 psi at the time. So, a combination of time (air leaking out) and temperature seemed to be the problem. Hence, the solution apparently was simply to just reset the TPMS using the button under the steering wheel (with the tires properly inflated).

[alanh]

For the record, no, the spare in a Gen II does not have a TPMS. It pays to check it from time to time, you'll never know when you'll need it.

And don't assume it came from the dealer properly inflated. I checked mine shortly after buying the car and it was 25 psi.

[BAllanJ]

I don't bother checking the pressure in the spare... but since I have my little 12v pump in the car, I can fix that whenever I may need a spare...which I've only needed once in 35 years of driving so far.

[deirdre5155]

I have had the same problem - light came on first cold day. Have had the pressure checked and all is OK. The service people tried the reset button and the light would go off for a few minutes and then come back on. They think that the sensor in one of the tires is shot. I'm assuming this would be covered under warranty? I have a 2008 under 36,000 miles. Any info appreciated.

[Sieglinde]

We went from pretty darn hot to pretty darn cold in a matter of a day or so and mine came on. Geeze. Worried about it until a few people told me that happens. I will still check the pressure since I have not done it in at least a month and I have my own compresser. I wlll look for the little reset button. Bother.

My tires are supposed to be at 34 and 35 psi, if I recollect properly. I guess other tires are at 40psi. My tires needed inflation after I took delivery of the car also. I suspect that dealers don't check the pressure when they receive the car or when they give the car to the customer.

Other than these weirdnesses is this gauge worth it? I think I will continue using my own gauge to check the pressure.

A 2008 with 36,000 miles should be well within the normal warrently that comes with the car. I would have it fixed just to keep the car in good condition.