TPMS fails in cold weather

[myother45isalesbaer]

My 2004 M45 has a strange issue. My TPMS tells me I have a flat tire. The light goes on, on the dash panel only. I go to read the tire pressures on the central screen all read *.* I checked the tire pressure and all 4 are at 34-35psi. This only happens in cold weather. If its above 50F out this never happens. This only happens after about 20 minutes of driving. On start up and before 20 minutes are up no dashboard light and the TPMS reads the proper tire PSI on all 4 wheels.

I know this issue as been BEATEN to death on this forum. I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what the solution was.

[chitownson]

Weird, the way temperature is messing with your TPMS. Hopefully someone on the site has the answer. I hear moisture in tires and internal wheel corrosion can somehow mess with TPMS in cold weather. I checked my 2003 M45 owner's manual & the wheel sensor part of my tech manual, but nothing jumped out that specifically addresses your problem. If you have a Discount Tire nearby, sometimes they'll help with minor TPMS issues for free (They reset my friend's Toyota TPMS for free.)

If you don't have nitrogen in your tires, nitrogen may or may not ease the problem since I think nitrogen doesn't have the same moisture problem and stays more stable pressure-wise than air and doesn't leak out through rubber as easy as air (although that doesn't seem to be the issue here.)

Just for sh*ts and grins, you may try rotating the tires yourself (since your time is free) and seeing if that has an impact on the issue. Please post any solution you find to the problem, I'm sure other owners have or will experience this.

[CPJ LB]

just curious...are your tires inflated with o2 or N2 (oxygen or nitrogen)...

I understand that nitrogen is dryer so less moisture within your tires, thus better environment for the TPMS...

I have been running nitrogen filled tires on all my cars for the last couple of years and it's been fine. also there is no fluctuation in the mornings as compared to having o2 inflated tires -- in the past I would see a slight dip or sag in the tires when I ran with o2...

just my own experience...

[myother45isalesbaer]

Tires are filled with 02. I understand what you are saying about tire pressures with N2 but that does not seem to be the issue. When I check the tires cold they are at the proper pressure. Somewhat ironically if I shut the car off the TPMS light goes off for a few minutes, then comes right back on. I have checked the tire pressures several times, both hot and cold and the least they read is 32-33psi and the most is 35-36psi when hot. If it was one TPMS sensor going I would not expect all 4 tires to read on the screen *.*. I took the car out today and it was about 45F and within 20 minutes the dashlight came on again. I don't know how long these TPMS sensors last as they are battery powered. The car is a 2004 and I am wondering if the sensors are going dead. Not sure.

I am anal about my cars and this issue is driving me a little nutso. I could ignore it, but at highway speeds it makes one wonder if you really have a problem.

[CPJ LB]

I can understand your concerns...It 'may' just be that time to replace them...good luck with it...

[myother45isalesbaer]

Thanks. First real problem I have had with this car so I can't complain. Guess I will call my Infiniti dealer and find out the cost on getting this issue fixed. After 8 years of excellent service from this car shelling out a few bucks I guess just goes with the territory. As much as I love and enjoy this car I think next round I am going to look for something with less electronic stuff that can go bad. Maybe an old time restored 63-65 Lincoln would suit me. At least I could work on that one without alot of computer analysis.