[soulja_boy]

So this was random, I was cruising on the freeway today with my 14 EXL V6 and suddenly the Low Tire Pressure light just lit up. I didn't feel like I was running flat on my tires or anything (it's kinda of hard to tell because the car has been running a little 'bumpier' than my previous cars since the first day). Anyways, I was being cautious so I pulled over to check it out to make sure I didn't hit a nail or something and did not notice anything. I thought I could look up the pressure from each tire on the menu but couldn't find anything on that, so I decided to do a TPMS Calibrate from the menu, and as soon as it finished, the light shut off.

I did some reading online and people said that Calibrate does make the light shut off but you should only do that after you have verified that the tire is good (which I'm not sure on). Now I'm left wondering if it was just a stupid false alarm from the TPMS that just needed a re-calibrate to solve or whether I'm still having issues with my tires and the light just doesn't show up because of the recent calibrate.

Should I be concerned here? I've only had 1500 miles on this car and temperature should not have been a factor. Any advice?

Thanks.

 

[zerophile]

Do a visual check if you don't have a tire pressure gauge.
Recalibrate if the warning doesn't come back it should be OK.
If you do have a gauge check the tire pressures.

It may just be that you had some extra weight in the car that day.

Follow standard tire maintenance. TPMS is not an excuse to be negligent.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

95% chance that it is a false alarm. I got two lights before even when tire pressures were fine. The reason why you couldn't check tire pressures from the car's computer is because there are no TPMS sensors inside each wheels. Car's ABS sensors which keeps tracks of how many turns each wheel has done for a distance is how 'TPMS' works in Honda Accord.

 

[soulja_boy]

Thanks, I was still used to my old car that had a sensor inside each wheel that would let me know the pressure. Anyways, I did a visual inspection to see if anything stood out and did not notice anything out of ordinary. I drove another 60 miles after I did the calibration and the light still hasn't gone back on. I will probably go grab a tire pressure gauge tomorrow and check each tire to make sure they're good.

Thanks.

 

[ObsidianEX-L]

My tires were all at 26 when we hit a cold snap. No TPMS light whatsoever. Don't rely on this POS system.

 

[Username]

It's interesting that you should post this. Earlier tonight I had a similar apparent tpms false alarm while on the interstate. Pulled over and each tire was about 34 psi. The reading was meaningless because they were warm, but they were at least the same level. Does anyone know if the tpms will go off with pressure being too high?

 

[BigSwede]

My tires were all at 26 when we hit a cold snap. No TPMS light whatsoever. Don't rely on this POS system.

This "POS" system works just fine for warning you when a tire is low. That's what it's designed to do. But yes, don't rely on it as a crutch to maintain your car's tire pressures for you.

 

[ObsidianEX-L]

This "POS" system works just fine for warning you when a tire is low. That's what it's designed to do. But yes, don't rely on it as a crutch to maintain your car's tire pressures for you.

When the same thing happened (a cold snap), my TSX's TPMS warned me a tire was low vs. doing nothing.

On a positive side, I did like not having to put sensors in my snow tires.

 

[Patboy]

The system works fine...my light went off twice and both time there were nails.

However I do anticipate more false alarms with this new system.

 

[snakeyez]

My tpms went off last week and I ignored it and even went in to the dealer for a nitro refill. Then later I learned I should NOT ignore the TPMS. It wasn't a false alert as I later found out my right rear tire had a cotter pin that punctured it!! This cotter pin caused me almost one hour of my time plus another 2-3 hours of driving and sitting at the dealer last week.
I repaired the puncture myself at home and filled it up with normal air.

 

[TN9thSi]

My tires were all at 26 when we hit a cold snap. No TPMS light whatsoever. Don't rely on this POS system.

Having a TPMS system is no excuse for the owner not maintaining proper pressure in the tires. If ALL the tires were at the same PSI, then there would be no warning from the system. It's designed to detect a difference in pressure between two or more tires. The system is working as expected. It's purpose is to alert you to a potential issue with a tire/tires, such as a puncture or other issue that causes more rapid pressure loss.

 

[LENSPEC]

Similar to the OP......This happened to me yesterday, was just driving along at highway speed and the light came on. Immediately pulled over to check it out. All 4 tires looked fine visually so used my tire gauge and confirmed they all had good psi. Then did a TPMS calibration and the light shut off. So far so good...

 

[desertrat]

Buy a tire pressure gage and check the pressures on a fairly regular basis, I check mine about twice a month or so. It's best to check them when the car hasn't been driven for a while and one side has not been exposed to the sun, in the morning is a good time. Use the pressure listed on the driver's door jam as minimum pressure when cold, some of us run pressures a bit higher than that with good results. You can also buy one of the small compressors that plug into the power outlet so you can add air without having to go to the tire store or car dealer.

Never reset the TPMS unless you are sure all 4 tires are at the correct pressure.

You should also check the pressure in your compact spare once a year of so, 60 PSI.

 

[Schoat333]

You should be checking your tire pressure with a gauge at least once a month. Especially on a car with this great of fuel economy. Under inflated tires are the primary reason for MPG loss.

On that note, I'm surprised the government is allowing a system like this. I thought the original idea behind requiring a TPMS system was to keep people from driving on under inflated tires, and wasting gasoline. If all the tires are low, this system does not really defeat that anymore. Just a thought.

 

[cookieman214]

Schoat333,

This is for you. NHTSA has nothing to do with vehicle fuel mileage, Safety only. EPA is the federal agency concerned with fuel mileage.

49 CFR Parts 571 and 585

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.
Effective Date: This final rule is effective April 8, 2005, except for Subpart G of 49 CFR Part 585, which is effective September 1, 2005.


SUMMARY: This final rule establishes a new Federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) requiring installation of a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) capable of detecting when one or more of a vehicles tires is significantly under-inflated. This final rule responds to a mandate in the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act. This final rule requires installation in all new light vehicles of a TPMS capable of detecting when one or more of the vehicles tires, up to all four tires, is 25 percent or more below the manufacturers recommended inflation pressure (placard pressure) or a minimum activation pressure specified in the standard, whichever is higher.

 

[tripplesix]

My TPMS light lights up regularly, so I just use that as an indicator to check my pressures and fill up all tires evenly. I do that and then just push down the big TPMS button down below (and to the left) of the steering wheel.

However, I had a flat the other day and got it repaired. This was the first time the button did not clear the light.... it is still on. Is this because the tire was actually removed? :dunno:

Anyway, when I get a chance I will go back to a gas station and refill any necessary tires (if necessary). And then, whatever.

 

[desertrat]

My TPMS light lights up regularly, so I just use that as an indicator to check my pressures and fill up all tires evenly. I do that and then just push down the big TPMS button down below (and to the left) of the steering wheel.

However, I had a flat the other day and got it repaired. This was the first time the button did not clear the light.... it is still on. Is this because the tire was actually removed? :dunno:

Anyway, when I get a chance I will go back to a gas station and refill any necessary tires (if necessary). And then, whatever.

I think you need to calibrate your TPMS, just pushing the button doesn't do that. Your owner's manual will tell you how or you can go to the dealer and have them do it. The procedure is on pages 468 and 469 of my 2014 owner's manual, it may be on different page numbers in the 2013 manual.

 

[zigner]

I think you need to calibrate your TPMS, just pushing the button doesn't do that. Your owner's manual will tell you how or you can go to the dealer and have them do it. The procedure is on pages 468 and 469 of my 2014 owner's manual, it may be on different page numbers in the 2013 manual.

Actually that is not correct, to quote the owners manual "TPMS Calibration...."Press and hold the TPMS button. The low tire pressure/TPMS indicator blinks a few times. If the indicator does not blink a few times, the calibration is not successful. Press and hold the TPMS button again"

I am curious, what other function did you see the TPMS button performing?

 

[Bykim5]

Same thing happened to me..so the next morning i went and checked the tire pressure and they all need some air. Afterwards i performed a TPMS calibration. For few days whenever i started the car in the morning the light would come on for like 3 to 5 secs then disappear. It no longer occurs. Im assuming its been calibrated now.

 

[desertrat]

Actually that is not correct, to quote the owners manual "TPMS Calibration...."Press and hold the TPMS button. The low tire pressure/TPMS indicator blinks a few times. If the indicator does not blink a few times, the calibration is not successful. Press and hold the TPMS button again"

I am curious, what other function did you see the TPMS button performing?

Yes you are correct pushing the button does calibrate the TPMS, my post was misleading.

What I meant was just pushing the button doesn't do the trick because first you need to put the manual transmission in neutral or the automatic/CVT in park. The ignition needs to be on in position II. Then you push the button and hold it in until the indicator light blinks twice, as you said. If you don't have it in neutral/park it will never blink and it won't be calibrated.

As far as I know it performs no other functions.