Low tire pressure

[NJ_1st_blue_coupe]

My low tire pressure light just came on. I havent had time to take it to the dealer as yet. Can anyone tell me if theres a problem or it just has to the with the cold weather, this is the car second winter, first winter no low tire pressure issues.

 

[Soledad]

I have nitrogen in my tires and the low pressure light never came on until a month or two ago. I just took it in to the dealer and they topped the tires off.

I suspect your tires are fine and just need a little air/nitrogen.

 

[NJ_1st_blue_coupe]

I have nitrogen in my tires and the low pressure light never came on until a month or two ago. I just took it in to the dealer and they topped the tires off.

I suspect your tires are fine and just need a little air/nitrogen.

Thanks, taking the car to the dealer today.

 

[mcginnpm]

The low tire pressure light means just that, low tire pressure. No need to go to the dealer. Just go to the gas station and check and adjust your tire pressure.

If you've been driving for thousands of miles without checking and adjusting your tire pressure, or if you've had a severe cold spell in a normally warm climate, your TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) will trigger the light. Mine typically goes off when the pressure gets down to around 28-29lbs. I see it more frequently when there has been a large temperature swing in the cold direction.

Tires naturally leak down over time. Nitrogen really isn't the cure either, especially since ambient air is about 78% nitrogen to start with, but it will help lighten your wallet. The real issue is moisture (nitrogen from a tank is normally completely dry). If you fill your tires from a standard tire pump at the gas station on a hot and humid day after you've been driving and heating up the tires, you can guarantee that the pressure will drop significantly when its freezing cold outside.

Invest in a decent tire gauge and get into the habit of checking your tire pressure regularly. It will make your tires last longer. It will improve your gas mileage. It will make you more prone to find other potential problems (since you'll be spending more "personal time" with your Genny). And you won't look like a fool going to the dealer when all you need is about 2-3lbs of air in your tires.

Now, on the other hand, if you are doing all the things mentioned above and you keep getting a recurring tire pressure light, well then you have a problem (nail in the tread, leaking valve, bad bead seal, cracked wheel, etc.)

 

[Matt Z]

Was away for a week at Thanksgiving without my baby! (rented a Suburban for 1500 mile vacation run) Temperature in Phila area dropped while I was away about 20 degrees. Came back and low pressure warning lights came on. Topped them off with air and lights went off. 2 days later, major TPMS light goes off. After having car serviced it turns out that when I switched rubber to my new Michelins, 3rd party installer (bought on Tire Rack) partially destroyed one of the sensors apparently before figuring out that they were there! So $225 later after new part and reconfiguration of all 4 wheels, the Tire Rack savings just went out the door unless I want to sue the local Mr.Tire for an amount that about equals double the install cost!

 

[BAD MOJO]

Hi,
I lowered the pressure in all of my tires to 30 lbs to soften the ride a bit and the low pressure light came on. After bringing the pressure back up to 35 lbs on all 4rs the monitor is still on. Is this a common problem or is it just me.
Thanks.

 

[homeofstone]

Hi,
I lowered the pressure in all of my tires to 30 lbs to soften the ride a bit and the low pressure light came on. After bringing the pressure back up to 35 lbs on all 4rs the monitor is still on. Is this a common problem or is it just me.
Thanks.

Sometimes it takes a few miles of driving for the light to go off. Make sure you have good quality guage for an accurate reading. 32psi should be enough to keep light off. It is set to come on at about 28psi.

 

[BAD MOJO]

Thanks,
Actually I drove it for about 30 miles and no change. I also lowered the pressure in each tire one at a time and re filled them and the light is still on.

 

[homeofstone]

Thanks,
Actually I drove it for about 30 miles and no change. I also lowered the pressure in each tire one at a time and re filled them and the light is still on.

Put 40 psi in the tires when cold and wait for about 5 minutes then let air out back to 32psi. Try that when tire has not been run for a few hours.

 

[BAD MOJO]

Thanks,
I will try that.

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[BAD MOJO]

Hey thanks Home,
It worked like a charm!