Tire pressure light came on...what to do?

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Sep 17, 2006 | 05:33 PM
  #1  
Coming home from the car wash, my tire pressure warning light came on. I got home and everything appears to be fine. Does the light automatically mean something is a miss? Does it need to be taken to a dealership?

How does one reset this light as well?
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Sep 17, 2006 | 05:37 PM
  #2  
First thing to do is to check the pressure of your tires. If everything is OK, reset the light and check the tires again in a few days.

Check your owner's manual on how to reset the light. On mine, I turn the key until the lights all come on without starting the car. Then I wait until the tire warning light goes off. Press the button just under the parking brake until the light comes on again. Drive normally and the system will reset itself and the light will go out.
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Sep 17, 2006 | 05:37 PM
  #3  
Quote: Coming home from the car wash, my tire pressure warning light came on. I got home and everything appears to be fine. Does the light automatically mean something is a miss? Does it need to be taken to a dealership?

How does one reset this light as well?
Have you read your owners manaul?

If the car didnt come with one, you can download it at motoringfile.com

Check your tire pressures, All OK? then reset it by pressing down on the button while stopped, let go and drive a bit
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Sep 17, 2006 | 05:42 PM
  #4  
I've had mine come on several times but it was never actually caused by a low tire pressure. In hindsight it seems like it was triggered by a wheel slipping on wet ground, leaves, or enthusiastic driving. If the tire pressures read OK then just reset. On my 2003 S you turn the key (I think to the first position) and then press the reset button that sits just below the hand brake lever for a few seconds- the indicator light will go out. Check your manual and it will give you the specifics. Good luck!
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Sep 17, 2006 | 06:26 PM
  #5  
THanks for all the help guys! I don't have a tool to check the pressure, so maybe I'll head over to Autozone now!

Again, appreciate the help.
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Sep 17, 2006 | 06:29 PM
  #6  
Quote: THanks for all the help guys! I don't have a tool to check the pressure, so maybe I'll head over to Autozone now!

Again, appreciate the help.
Ahhh, the excuse to goto the autoparts store, anyone wanna start a pool on what performance mod he brings home with the tire pressure gauge
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Sep 17, 2006 | 06:31 PM
  #7  
Yup check pressures, I bet some water got into the sensor, happened to be in a really bad storm (Tropical storm leftovers in northern GA) give it a chance to dry out, top off the pressures and re-set the system and check pressures in about 10 miles (slow leaks not always cause light to return on has lead to a dangerous situation for me in the past) for about 50, if no changes then I'd say you're probably ok. You should be checking those pressures at least weekly, its a habit that saves lives and helps grip and gas mileage.
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Sep 17, 2006 | 07:26 PM
  #8  
Quote: Ahhh, the excuse to goto the autoparts store, anyone wanna start a pool on what performance mod he brings home with the tire pressure gauge
AHHH YOU'RE RIGHT! I came home with magnetic flames, valve stem motion sensor led's, animal print seat covers, and a matching steering wheel cover!

How much horsepower does that add??
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Sep 17, 2006 | 07:30 PM
  #9  
Quote: Yup check pressures, I bet some water got into the sensor, happened to be in a really bad storm (Tropical storm leftovers in northern GA) give it a chance to dry out, top off the pressures and re-set the system and check pressures in about 10 miles (slow leaks not always cause light to return on has lead to a dangerous situation for me in the past) for about 50, if no changes then I'd say you're probably ok. You should be checking those pressures at least weekly, its a habit that saves lives and helps grip and gas mileage.
Good to know! By the way, where is the sensor???
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Sep 17, 2006 | 07:36 PM
  #10  
Quote: Good to know! By the way, where is the sensor???
It's part of the ABS, it has much to do with the rotation of each tire, so multiple slow leaks go un-reported. The computer programming for the system is above my head though.
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Sep 17, 2006 | 07:47 PM
  #11  
For what it's worth, my MINI has a bad habit of picking up whatever nail, screw, or othersuch that happens to be laying around the DC metro area highways. I never had a 'blowout', always a slow leak (like ~3-5 PSI a week). The MINI tire pressure sensor caught it every time!

I have had a few false warnings though. Most of those were due to slipping though gravel, dirt, etc.


-Paul!
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Sep 23, 2006 | 03:29 PM
  #12  
Hope you are kiddling about the seat covers...
Quote: AHHH YOU'RE RIGHT! I came home with magnetic flames, valve stem motion sensor led's, animal print seat covers, and a matching steering wheel cover!

How much horsepower does that add??
1st off, I hope (and it sounds like) you are kidding about ANY seat covers...there are airbags in the sides of the seats and covers will interfere with them

Secondly...those MAGNETIC FLAMES will add about 25 hp to the car at the wheels no less. They will be recognized by the ECU and it will adapt itself to account for those flames!
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Sep 23, 2006 | 03:57 PM
  #13  
If you really want a horsepower boost, get the 6 inch (coffee can) exhaust tip with the LEDS! That has been known to add from 150-200 HP. A MINI One D with one of those would probable SMOKE a JCW (on a sanctioned track, of course).

Rawhyde
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