my tire pressure sensor is blinking and has done so since i changed the wheels and tires a couple days ago. the tires are brand new and have the correct psi.

is there a reset button or something i forgot to do?

thanx for your help.

 

Yes, there is a reset button under the emergency brake handle. owners manual has full directions, I think you hold it in for 8 seconds, but check the book.

 

The way that the "feature" works is by calculating the difference in rotation between one wheel and another. If the difference exceeds some threshold, the light blinks. The problem with this approach is that it doesn't work if the tires are leaking together (such as if you ran over nails or glass - don't laugh, I just had to repair one tire because of a shard of glass that managed to work its way through steel belts and caused a flat). You may just need to calibrate the tire pressure program; or, you could have a problem with an ABS sensor (if memory serves, the tire pressure feature uses the ABS sensors as a data input source).

 

The reset procedure is in the manual. You have to do it with the key in position 1 I believe. And for the record, since it's not actually a sensor, the system will still work with non-OEM wheels or tires.

 

Because I experienced 3 flats within 1000 miles on my runflats (and bemoaned this often enough in NAM) I have had some experience with that sensor.

I was surprised the 2005 version of the manual does not show nor explain where the reset switch is in the car. The image is so close up that the switch could have been anywhere. The tire dealer went through the manual and then looked all over the dash for it. I was no help.

Also, I could not find in the manual how long to press on the switch. It doesn't work if you just press for an instant or press repeatedly.

Then 3000 miles into my economical Kumhos the tire light came on. My fault for not checking the tire pressures often enough. One was very low (22 psi). I pumped it up but could not find the leak. I pressed the switch and the light went off. It has been fine for the nearly 1000 miles since.

This was not asked but I'll toss it in anyway in case it happens to you. The brake warning light on my dash came on within a couple of blocks of leaving my excellent independent mechanic (Bay Bridge Motors in Emeryville, CA). I thought it would go off by itself, but it did not. I could not find in the manual how to turn off the light. 3 weeks later I returned to the mechanic and he stomped on the brake pedal 3 times while the car was stopped and it turned off. I never stomped that hard on the brake pedal and I am unsure if 3 times is the right number, but it was reassuring to know that old fashioned stomping works in a MINI.

Best wishes.

 

I have a 2003 S and I've had so many problems with tires. It's my play car so I don't drive it everyday ( only has 33000 miles) but I put 7 new tires on since I've had it. It seems like if I hit a bump in the road, I pop a tire. I love my car but I can't keep replacing tires. I have the Goodyear Eagle RSA (205/45 R17 M+S) run flats on the car. Can anyone tell me if they are having a similar problem? Can I use a different tire? If so do I need to change the wheels too? I'm so frustrated I am actually contemplating selling her which I really don't want to do but my dealer has been no help to me.
Thanks for any advice.

 

thank you all. im going to check on that right now.

 

Runflat tires are not flat-proof tires. They just have the ability to run without air for a distance and not be shredded.

Separately, I have a set of 4 Goodyear Eagle RSAs in the 205/45 R17 size that I replaced at 1,000 miles with non-runflat tires. The ride of the runflats was too harsh for my neck. If you want the RSAs, I would be interested in any reasonable deal.

 

See above. I could not believe how many flats I got on my runflats. Also I was dying to do something to differentiate my MINI. I was concerned about driving without a spare tire, especially since I had experienced so many flats. But with friendly advice on NAM I made the switch.

The stock MINI wheels work with either runflat or conventional tires. My sister's MCS has conventional tires on stock wheels. If my 2005 had come with R83s I would have kept the wheels, but I did not think the stock R84s suited my car. So I got different wheels too. I have not had a flat with the conventional tires, but on a long trip I carry the MINI spare (recommended by Ran48) just in case.

Don't switch cars, switch tires.

 

Check the righthand side of page 71 of the owner's manual.

There is a diagram of where the reset button is, and how to "reinitialize the system".