[Q] Tire Pressure Sensor

[AznJohn22]

I drove down to Atlantic City last weekend from NYC. As I was driving, the tire pressure sensor light flashed a few times then became solid. I made sure there was sufficient amount of tire pressure the night before. The light disappeared as I was slowly pulling over. Pulled over to check and all four tires pressure is at 33. A short time later the TPS light started flashing and came back on again. It happened on the return trip back to NYC also.

Is there something wrong the TPS in the tires? Or is the weather condition affecting the TPS? It was really cold in the Northeast last weekend.

[kerrton]

I share you frustration with the TPMS system. In my experience cold weather can cause the system to malfuction. Often we attribute the TPMS light in cold weather due to lowered tire pressure but like you I've checked and maintained my tire pressure throughout cold winter weather and the light still occaisionally comes on. It is very intermittent and rare, it doesn't seem to follow a logical pattern, and it will simply correct itself and turn off for no apparent reason.

Suffice it to say I am not a fan of the TPMS system, especially considering each individual sensor is over a hundred dollars the last time I checked. If any of my sensors need replacing I'll probably just put a bit of black tape over the light and call it good!

[tcmo]

The flashing TPMS and then staying solid indicates a problem with a sensor, not the tire pressure (per 2009 manual). Tire pressure reduction causes the TPMS to illuminate solid and stay that way. I had the same problem this winter-light flashed and then stayed solid with the tire pressure being fine- and had a sensor replaced. No problems since (4 months).