Hello all,
My name is Brad Davis. I am a new member to DCMM and look forward to meeting all of you soon...I hope to stop by Tate Mini this Saturday (I'm headed to the eastern shore anyway). I have a question about the flat tire monitoring system for the mini. I have had a lot of trouble with mine...it's giving me the idiot light again for the third time (first time a sensor at the rear passenger wheel was replaced, second time a sensor for the DSC system was replaced). I have to take it in yet again and was wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem or if it is only me. I have to say, as frustrating as it is having the same problem over and over, it doesn't diminish my affection for the car in the least.

 

Nope, don't have that problem. Good luck though.

 

I did have a problem with mine. It turned out (after three visits to the dealer ) the A/C was dripping inside causing some problems to the on Board Computer - (plus I have a GPS.)

Mine did not pick up I had a flat tire...and never sensed my spare tire (28 miles driving with it !!) and did not detect the 2nd flat tire - 15 minutes after leaving the tire place

MD STREGA2
22 GS
OPEN 22

 

Something to keep in mind with LaStrega, is she has a convertible, which likely contributed to the AC issue. So if you're topless as well, it's something to consider.

Also, I believe the tire monitor does not actually monitor pressure... But looks for a difference between the tires rotating. If one tire deflates a few PSI, it will rotate slower than the others, and the computer will detect it and trigger your tire flat alarm. If something else is interfering with proper rotation, that could also contribute.

 

WagnBat makes a good point, the tire monitor isn't a substitute for a pressure gauge. Tire pressure should always be maintained properly just like with any car. I better check mine soon...

 

Mr. bat is correct. It seems to work fine for some, others, not so much. Mine has been fairly spot-on.

But as said above, don't rely on it for proper tire preventative maintenance!

-Paul!

 

Will is basically correct, but the sign is wrong.

If a tire is low in pressure, it's diameter is SMALLER, so it rotates more turns/mile (i.e. FASTER).

You can also induce a tire pressure fault if you are driving under conditions (like snow) where one tire is slipping more than another.

Apparently the computer accumulates data for a while to see what the normal wheel rates are. It then sets the error if it sees that the average rates have changed. I recently swapped the 15" Bilzzaks for new 16" Hankook Ventus. About a day later, the tire light flashed. I reset it and it has stayed off ever since.

Tom

 

Same, it came on once when I went from 17" to 18".

 

So, let me get this straight...our cars can detect when there is a problem with the tires? There's a gauge and sensor?

 

[quote=Wagnbat]Something to keep in mind with LaStrega, is she has a convertible, which likely contributed to the AC issue. So if you're topless as well, it's something to consider.


Will, I don't get this comment: Are you implying that A/C is most likely to drip inside a convertible ? The Mini is my 3rd convertible and never had this problem before..

MD STREGA 2
22GS
OPEN 22

 

Negative on either one. It has neither a gauge nor a sensor built in. What it has is a computer that detects wheel rpm (minus when you cut loose on purpose) of all four wheels. If one wheel is spinning at a different rpm than the others then a light indicator on your dash will light up. That's if this system is working correctly. This should never take the place of you manually using an air pressure gauge to determine proper inflation levels of all four tires. Capice?!

 

Wow! that is remarkable. I didn't know this. What else do these cars do? I'm curious. I have been meaning to read the manual that came with the car, but I just haven't gotten around to it. For example, it took me forever to find out how to open the hood.

 

The glove box is refridgerated.... I keep a fresh bass in their everytime I go fishing... (just kidding). But, the first part's true.

 

STFU! Really?
When my car arrived at the dealer, I was so excited to take it, I didn't let them really show me anything and I took off. So.... Thanks. This is interesting.

 

You need to make it to a breakfast or other DCMM meet. You'll learn all kinds of interesting MINI tidbits, tips, & tricks!

-Paul!

 

Another anomoly I found out:

If you hold down the "flat tire monitor button", the one next to the hand brake, it will eventually cause the tire light to come on. O.o

Found this out when driving to lunch with a friend. He'd unwittingly been resting his hand on the button. Restarting the car will get the light to go back out, end up problem.


My guess is the light comes on:
A) When it detects a problem with tire rotation speeds
or
B) When it detects a problem in the problem detection system! e.g., the button being held down, short circuits, etc.

Somewhere out there I bet someone has an undiagnosable problem with their light and it's because their button is stuck...

 

Strife, it's supposed to do that! You should be at a complete stop and press & hold the flat tire monitor button whenever you inflate, rotate, or change the tires to reset the system so it monitors the tires correctly. Otherwise, you're likely to get 'false positives'.

If you press the button while you're moving, it will come on and either stay on until you turn off and restart the car, or you come to a complete stop, and start moving again (I had both happen to me).

-Paul!