Tire PSI Indicators

[kings11]

The morning of my 6,000 service (oil change and tire rotation), I noticed my tire pressure warning light came on and three of my tires were a lot lower than the others (23, 23, 24, and 27 PSI).

I mentioned this to the dealer. They rotated the tires. It’s pretty obvious as the worn tires from the rear are now up front! <grin>

They said the pressure light would stay on for a bit until I drove it for a while. The warning light did go off, but the front drivers tire is 2-3 PSI lower than the highest pressured tire. I think I have 27, 28, 28, 29 on my tires now. No warning light, but should the PSI be closer? I’d expect them to be the same or one PSI difference at the most.

Also, how do the PSI sensors work? They must be wireless (or have a hell of a swivel hitch on the wire!). How long do they take to communicate the PSI accurately (immediate or delayed refresh)? Lastly, when you rotate the tires, will the display remain accurate (i.e. if the driver’s side front tire says it’s low, that is the tire that is reporting)?

Thanks for the Tire sensor primer!

Scott

[Midnightsun300c]

I have rotated my tires and the sensors reported correctly after rotation. I would supply a link that explains the setup but can't find it right now. From memory the transmitters in each wheel are interchangeable and transmit about every 30 seconds with the signal strength very low. There is an independent receiver in the close proximity of each wheel that picks up an area local to only that wheel.
I am borderline obsessive compulsive and always set my tire pressure exactly the same. I will park at the air pump when the need arises with the car running and the tire pressure displayed and adjust as necessary. I have not got to the point yet of using nitrogen though. I did manage to survive for 30+ years of driving before having a digital readout tire pressure in the dash and relied solely on the hand help gage so I do not think it is critical to have the pressure closer than a couple of pounds. I believe that the recommended tire pressure is 30 lbs so I think that you are probably OK as you are.

[OoTLink]

It varies a lot with temp too, I've watched mine go from 27 at the lowest to 35 at the highest on the same day o_O

[ktek01]

You need to actually check them with a fairly accurate tire pressure gauge, a half decent pencil type gauge should do. The system will turn the light on when tire pressure drops below 26psi, sounds like the dealer techs gauge may be off, they should all be at 30.

[kings11]

Originally Posted by Midnightsun300c

I have rotated my tires and the sensors reported correctly after rotation. I would supply a link that explains the setup but can't find it right now. From memory the transmitters in each wheel are interchangeable and transmit about every 30 seconds with the signal strength very low. There is an independent receiver in the close proximity of each wheel that picks up an area local to only that wheel.
.....

I was pretty sure it had to be wireless with a local pickup at each tire. It bugs the crud out of me that they can't put the same air pressure in each tire. Is it that hard? Are the rest of you satisfied with 2-3 PSI differences like I noted?

By definition, all of us here are obsessive aren't we?

Scott

[OoTLink]

the TPMS monitors are attached to the valve stems, so they should be pretty good.The big issue is the 30 second thing, sooo they're not really easy to use for filling tires XD

[Midnightsun300c]

Are the rest of you satisfied with 2-3 PSI differences like I noted?

I run my tire pressure quite a bit higher than the Chrysler recommendation as the sidewall rigidity and strength increases and therefore the maximum speed for the tire increases as the pressure increases. My max tire pressure is 51 lbs so I fill all four of mine to exactly 45 lbs which leaves a little room for heating on long drives.

By definition, all of us here are obsessive aren't we?

That puts me in good company then.

[Midnightsun300c]

The big issue is the 30 second thing, sooo they're not really easy to use for filling tires XD

I find it not that bad. By the time I have finished filling the fourth tire the first tire has registered and stabilized at the new pressure. It actually takes more time removing and replacing the stem caps than adjusting the tire pressure.

[eyern]

Well, my tires were balanced (I think they rotated them side to side also) by the dealer last week and instead of being close to 32 lbs each (were 29 to 31 before) they were all much lower, around 26 or 27 lbs. I've still got to get to the station and air them up better and also call my service writer and ask her why they can't get something so simple correct.

[Midnightsun300c]

they were all much lower, around 26 or 27 lbs. I've still got to get to the station and air them up better and also call my service writer and ask her why they can't get something so simple correct.

It's funny how the little things can get under your skin. The last time I had to adjust my tire pressure was my first oil change. Before I had made it 10 steps away from my car after pulling it into the bay an ambitious young man was already letting air out of my tires. I returned to my car and asked him to stop! He replied...it's OK, the door sticker says 30 lbs. I asked him again while pulling his hand back from the valve stem to stop because the tire pressure was fine where it was. He politely apologized and tried to refilled the tire to 45 lbs but only got to 43 lbs...hence my return to the air hose at my regular gas station on the way home to placate my freshly inflamed borderline obsessive compulsive disorder.