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Original poster

Tyre light, losing my mind slowly

45 replies

OneFrenchEgg · 29/03/2023 07:42

So. About four years ago my tyre light (it doesn't identify an individual tyre) kept coming on. I had the sensors replaced at a local garage, all good. Then a couple of months ago, it started again - eventually permanently on. I thought I'd identified the tyre that was always showing as low.

In that time:

Tyre valve replaced - the garage checked the tyre, replaced the valve. Light on as soon as I picked it up.

Checked at different garage, they inflated it, said all ok. I insisted this was not ok, that the light would come on again if I picked it up with nothing changed - they replaced two tyres as worn (including the one I thought was an issue). This is the garage that I always use and which did the sensors last time.

Tyre light on once a week at least. Same problem tyre I think. I check the pressure at home, it always shows as low.

What is going on?

OP posts:
MyBloodyMaryneedsmoreTabasco · 29/03/2023 07:53

Mine regularly comes on when it's cold - as soon as the temperature drops below a certain level the light goes on. It won't go off until it's reset, which I can't do, so I'm a frequent visitor at the tyre place. Not as often as you, but fairly often between autumn and spring.

Usernamesarenoteasy · 29/03/2023 07:55

I think mines been on permanently for over a year now. I just check the pressures manually every couple of weeks to make sure they're still ok.
I can reset the light myself, but it comes back on, but as I know all the tyres are fine I just ignore it.

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 29/03/2023 07:59

Oh that's interesting. It's just it's a new thing really (again) so has worried me. Maybe I'll just tape over that bit of the dashboard...

OP posts:

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BarbaraofSeville · 29/03/2023 08:02

Is the pressure actually low when you check it?

If so, it's not the sensors, air is leaking out.

When that happened to me I got my garage to refit the tyre, they cleaned the rim at the same time and this solved the issue.

If it's not that and you've had the tyre changed, my next thought would be that there is an issue with that wheel, is it slightly warped or something?

Do you have a spare you can use instead to see? If not, can you buy another wheel? It might seem expensive but probably cheaper than repeated garage bills chasing a persistent issue.

Keepthetowel · 29/03/2023 08:03

Have you he checked the wiring to the light?

imnotsickbutimnotwell · 29/03/2023 08:04

With my car it’s a known issue that the light comes on when it’s cold. The pressure should be set to 33 but I have to set them to 36 for the light to go off.

Witchbitch20 · 29/03/2023 08:04

Sudden changes in temperature can also make it come on.

My mini used to drive me nuts. In the end my mechanic changed the setting so it was on the lower side of what it should be before the warning light came on.

OrderOfTheKookaburra · 29/03/2023 08:05

What car make? I had a Renault and all sorts of warning lights came on - the electrics just gradually started to go. Caused all sorts of problems, very common apparently.

dgirluk · 29/03/2023 08:06

I think you said it's actually low when you check it with a gauge? If so then it's losing air either from the tyre or the wheel. I think you said you've changed the tyre and the valves, so that only leaves the wheel?

If it's not low when you check the gauge, then could be faulty sensor (but again I think you said you changed that) or an issue with the system incorrectly reporting, or the difference between warm weather when you set the pressures, and cold weather when you're reading. At least that's all I can think of for now.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 29/03/2023 08:12

Is it a Honda Jazz? Mine comes on non stop. We’ve spoken to the garage about it - it’s apparently a well known ‘thing’ with the Jazz, and they don’t seem able to fix it. Certainly it’s extremely annoying - not to mention alarming when it first happens. I do often wish I’d gone for a Ford instead - my 2 previous cars, both Fords, gave no such trouble.

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 29/03/2023 08:15

It's a Renault Kaptur. Yes I think it's low (not puncture level low) in comparison to the others. I wondered about the wheel, but how would that impact the pressure?
So maybe I should focus on checking that properly rather than thinking that.
I don't know if the wiring is ok, I'm guessing that's a next step?

OP posts:
picklemewalnuts · 29/03/2023 08:18

If the tyre is losing pressure more quickly than the others then either you are regularly bumping it- on a kerb when you park?- or there's a fault with the wheel/tyre. If the wheel doesn't fit snugly somewhere, if it's nicked or warped, then air can escape.

picklemewalnuts · 29/03/2023 08:19

Try pumping it up manually and checking it regularly. I had a slow leak and just repressured it before fast roads/long journeys.

mrsbyers · 29/03/2023 08:21

Had mine fixed yesterday , apparently when you replace a tyre the system needs reset - they downloaded some software and done

SoupDragon · 29/03/2023 08:26

OneFrenchEgg · 29/03/2023 08:15

It's a Renault Kaptur. Yes I think it's low (not puncture level low) in comparison to the others. I wondered about the wheel, but how would that impact the pressure?
So maybe I should focus on checking that properly rather than thinking that.
I don't know if the wiring is ok, I'm guessing that's a next step?

I had a slow "puncture" and it was because I had hit a pothole and dented the rim of the wheel. The dent was on the inside rim and thus not easy to see at all. A new wheel sorted it.

Coincidentally, that car was also a Renault.

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 29/03/2023 08:33

I think it can't be another puncture from driving - I work from home and the kerbs are lowered and wide enough to get on and off the drive.
I haven't noticed any knocks.
So the wheel rim (?) could be damaging a new tyre?

OP posts:
Curlewsreturn · 29/03/2023 08:44

If the wheel rim is damaged then the Tyre might not be forming a good seal on the rim and air might be slowly leaking.

IIWM I would be getting the garage to look at that wheel rather than just assuming it must be the tyre or a fault in the monitoring system.

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 29/03/2023 08:47

Thank you, I have been suspecting it can't be the tyre itself iyswim. I didn't know how the wheel might be affecting it. I'll check the pressure as light is in again.

OP posts:
Prettypaisleyslippers · 29/03/2023 08:48

I think it’s the wheel, take it to an independent tyre/wheel garage and ask them for an opinion.

Be warned, a new wheel isn’t cheap, I ended up buying a set of 4 on eBay cheaper than a brand new single one

Original poster
OneFrenchEgg · 29/03/2023 08:57

Urgh what a nightmare. Thank you, I'll try a Renault garage maybe.

OP posts:
PogoThePunk · 29/03/2023 09:23

I had this once. It turned out that when I had a tyre changed and they put the wheel back on, they accidentally trapped the sensor wire, which fooled the sensor into thinking there was a problem with the actual wheel / tyre.
Could something like that have happened with yours op?

Kayjay2018 · 29/03/2023 09:27

@OneFrenchEgg I had a tyre light keep popping up on my Honda crv, identified the tyre. When the garage looked at it he couldn't find an issue with the tyre itself, however, he discovered a few tiny paint flecks (no idea where from) that were breaking the seal of the tyre to the rim. He cleaned it, popped it back on and no problem ever since. Might be worth getting someone to take the tyre off the rim, give it a clean and pop it back on making sure the seal is intact

SoupDragon · 29/03/2023 09:34

OneFrenchEgg · 29/03/2023 08:33

I think it can't be another puncture from driving - I work from home and the kerbs are lowered and wide enough to get on and off the drive.
I haven't noticed any knocks.
So the wheel rim (?) could be damaging a new tyre?

I think in my case it meant there wasn't a proper seal around the tyre (although I will admit I am no expert!)

mrsbyers · 29/03/2023 11:53

OneFrenchEgg · 29/03/2023 08:57

Urgh what a nightmare. Thank you, I'll try a Renault garage maybe.

Mine is a Renault and as I said above a tyre place reset the software yesterday and fixed mine - cost £20

MogHog · 29/03/2023 12:02

We had this with a new to us focus, it was just one tyre which we tried everything with and the dealership just couldn't sort until they replaced the actual alloy. It wasnt getting a good seal and was fine after but it took ages to sort as they wanted to try everything else first as alloys aren't the cheapest

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