Hi, this is my first posting. I made the switch from run flats (I am selling the two good ones w 14K miles and live in DC if anyone is interested) and can't figure out how to turn the warning light off??? Help!

 

first, double/triple check your tire pressures. are all four tires the same size/brand, etc? basically, just make sure the light SHOULD be off.

there is a reset switch by the e-brake lever. pressing it should reset the system. you MAY have to go through a start cycle as well. (turn off the engine, start the engine)

 

In other words, you don't have to deactivate the sensor if you dont have RFs, but you do need to reset it whenever you change a tire or tires.

 

thanks, interestingly, I ran around all day yesterday w no warning light wondering if it would come on...and today it did.

 

The following is how my '06 MINI flat tire monitor works: the system monitors individual wheel speed/rotation. The theory is if one tire goes flat, it will have a smaller circumference and have a different wheel speed than the rest...tripping the flat tire monitor. So, as long as you have four tires of the same size/type and same air pressure, things should be fine.

To reset/calibrate the monitor I first ensure all four tires have the same air pressure. Then, at engine start up, I press the flat tire monitor cal switch located next to the emergency brake lever and I hold it down until the dashboard flat tire monitor light comes on. Then, I drive away...within seconds the light goes out and the flat tire monitor system is calibrated.

 

^ oh, no! someone's been reading the owner's manual!

 

Blasphemer!


On Topic -
I've had several 'false positive' readings. The first one just as I was entering the course for a track day - that was NOT a fun lap.
Just check all four tires, reset, and you're on your way. You DO have a pressure gauge in the car, right?

 

I picked up an 08 a few weeks ago, and while there MA told me they changed the system from what OV discribes to a pressure moniter in each tire. He said the system now measures the pressure drop in each tire and will go off if any drops a certain percentage. Forget how much though.

 

Tire monitor will come on if a wheel spins inconsistantly under full throttle and rev limiter pops. Usually comes on with a 5 lb pressure drop. Enough for you to know your non-run flat is in trouble. Check tires each fill-up and reset monitor accordingly.

 

Interesting topic.

I purchased my '06 with run flats at a dealer located 100 miles away from my home. I had them deliver to my house by insured driver the next day.

The car handled well and so I didn't suspect anything a first. Well I drove it for a week wondering what that little horse shoe shaped light meant. Since it was brand new I assumed it was normal. I finally looked it up in the manual. I checked the pressures and found one rear tire with 7 lbs in it.

I took it to a tire shop and had it fixed. It cost $65.00 to pull a nail and repair. Run flats work well but avoid the nails!

 

Guilty as charged!

Always been a geek for owner's manuals...fun reading...

 

I am sorry, I was not clear in my original post...I have replaced my run flats with Goodyear Eagles (not run flat)...the new tires in my mind are quieter, softer riding, handle better and are far less expensive. that said, I have been told that the flat tire warning can be disabled. Does anyone know how?

 

I have done the same by switching to NRFs. However, as others noted above, this does not matter and you do not have to de-activate the indicator but only to reset it.

The flat tire warning will warn you of a flat tire regardless of whether your running RFs or NRFs

 

You do not want to disable the tire warning. It works on non-run flats too! Will give you plenty of time to stop before you destroy a tire, except for a blow-out. Let's you know when tires need checking when weather changes from hot to cold, as tire pressure changes. It'll stay off once set so you will not see it until something happens.

 

I would not rely solely on the warning system -- make sure you check tire pressure regularly and especially when there are big temperature changes. The warning system will not warn you if all your tires are equally low on pressure because of cold weather. It's triggered by differences in tire pressures.

 

I did not mean to rely on the monitor, just an indicator if you are on a trip and running down the road. Tire prssures should be checked at the least monthly. Any changes in ambient temperature as 10 deg of temp can lower or raise tyre pressure 1 lb. And yes your tyres usually go up and down equally unless something is leaking as stems, punctures or cores, or rim damage. Hopefully I said that right?

 

That is how the system works in pre 08s, but you can reset the system with different tire pressures. I run my rears with 3-4 PSI higher than the fronts. You could reset with different pressure in all 4 wheels, and the system will not give a warning unless tire pressure CHANGES in one of the tires.

I don't think you could disable the system, as it is part of the ABS, that is how it monitors wheel rotation speed.

Mark

 

I have never seen this happen, and I have driven out of warm buildings into -40F temps.

Mark