We took a trip to the shore this weekend -- a couple of hours each way. About an hour into the trip, a little chime sounded and the Flat Tire Monitor started flashing. We pulled off to check the tires and saw nothing wrong.

At the first opportunity, we stopped at a service station and checked the pressure. The right rear seemed a bit low so I topped it up and reset the monitor, following the directions in the manual. The light went out and stayed out the rest of the trip over and didn't make a peep on the trip home.

Today, I got about 20 minutes from home on the highway and the same thing happened. This time, there was no pressure difference in any of the tires. I reset it and it happened a third time within a couple of miles (this time on surface roads). I tried calling the local MINI dealer service department for advice but was not able to get through to anyone (this in itself has me worried).

I noticed a couple of mentions of both the Tire Monitor and DSC lights registering false states at the same time but I don't think there was anything in the 'search' that matched my exact symptoms. Anybody else had this happen?

 

I had the same experience, but only once.
At that time, I increased pressure to 33psi from 31psi and right next day the warning light came on. I drove whole day with warning light, but once I exactly followed the instruction of the manual and reset the flat tire monitor, it worked fine.
As the manual says, I pushed the button long enough to reset it.
Mine would not be a good reference for you, but I guess sensitivity of the sensor might be the issue...

 

Thanks Luthier. I drove a couple of hours today at highway speeds and on surface roads and the monitor didn't come on. Maybe just a fluke.

BTW: Are you, as your handle suggests, one who builds and/or repairs stringed instruments? I've always been fascinated by this and may take it up as a retirement hobby/business. The most I've done so far is set up my electrics (pretty easy) and a little fret re-crowning. All with the help of the redoubtable Dan Erlewine's book.

 

Update: Not a fluke -- a genuine flat tire caused by one very large staple. The monitor was jus' doin' its job.

 

I had my runflat monitor go off once and it was due to driving on a muddy road.

Brad

 

i've had this happen 3 times now. I stopped and checked all tires, checked pressure and it was at 32-33 all around. I tried to reset, didnt' work, then it went out. Stayed off for a long time and then the other day it happened to turn on again -- i'd say 2 months later. Im going to have it checked when i get the boot latch replaced.

just annoying and kinda freaks me out since i know how much one tire will cost to replace :|

 

The system does work pretty well even though it doesn't have a pressure sensor.

I've had occasions when passing over water/snow/ice with one side of the car. Since it detects the wheels rotating at a different speed the light will come on in error.

I've also had one occassion where the light came on while driving on dry highway pavement. I'm glad I pulled over right away. I could still hear the air hissing out of the tire near the nail. After getting towed we were able to salvage the tire with a simple plug. WAY better and cheaper than driving a few miles on the runflat sidewalls which typically requires that you replace the tire.

Regards,
Jim

 

Funny subject, I just got a flat tire today.

I had a slow leak from a nail in the middle of the tread, and the Flat Tire light did come on. I checked, and found the problem, so the light does work for that purpose.
For false alarms, I have had it happen twice. once on a very cold day (0 deg. f) And another from driving on a bumpy, wet road very fast.