Cold Tires

[Stock4Evr]

As it begins to get colder I was surprised that when I started my car the indicator showing the tires were low came on for all 4 tires. Do I need to do anything as I am certain it is due to the colder temps that caused the alarm. Should I check air pressure or just allow the tires to warm up before checking pressure.

[drunkenup]

From my experience for the TPMS to decide to throw a light there is a fairly significant drop in pressure.

[Playnice]

We have some serious temperature changes up here in the northwest, never had the TPMS come on. I usually get up for work super early in the morning, where it is high humidity and low temperature, and it hasn't happened to me yet.

Check the manual to reset the light on the dash, I forgot the procedure.

[Bama335]

Sign of the season, 1 psi drop per 10 degrees ambient temp change. We had 80's last week and 40's this week, which means TPMS lights were on - the Jeep and the Wife's Benz both did it this week.

I should probably check the Z4 as well, although no vert days this weekend for sure.

Take them up to recommended pressures when cold, you should be good to go

[Stock4Evr]

Thanks for your comments. I will certainly check the tire pressure and reset issue. It is just that yesterday they were good, temp 85, this morning low 50's and I see the indicator light up.

[NVHoo]

Originally Posted by Stock4Evr

Thanks for your comments. I will certainly check the tire pressure and reset issue. It is just that yesterday they were good, temp 85, this morning low 50's and I see the indicator light up.

Pressure recommendations are for a cold tire prior to driving.

[Matticus91]

I've had this happen many times, just fill up your tires and you're good to go. Keep a pressure gauge in your car to be safe

[atr_hugo]

Funny you should mention this - getting out of an event last night the temps had dropped to about 36 degrees. Front left tire was low (on the display it was yellow - not red). I have the pressures set 37 psi front, 40 psi rear. All were below previously set. The TPMS has quite a bit of leeway for what is a good pressure - my left front was at 30 psi before barking at me. I need to check the actual pressure more often and not rely on the TPMS.

(FWIW I took side streets home, about 5 miles at under 40 mph, rather than use the Interstate.)

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by Playnice

We have some serious temperature changes up here in the northwest, never had the TPMS come on. I usually get up for work super early in the morning, where it is high humidity and low temperature, and it hasn't happened to me yet.

Check the manual to reset the light on the dash, I forgot the procedure.

Funny, I'm not too far from you and I had the light go on a couple of weeks ago for all four tires.

OP, you should add air to the tires. It is because of the temperature drop, but you need to compensate with a little more air.

[ejm3]

In my experience the first cold night the tires on all my cars throw TPM lights.
So I just inflate the tires and that seems to work pretty much all winter.

[Stock4Evr]

Brings up another question. Will the psi go up when it get warmer? Or do I have to inflate to recommended psi?

[WDE82]

Originally Posted by Stock4Evr

Brings up another question. Will the psi go up when it get warmer? Or do I have to inflate to recommended psi?

Um...yes...

Like multiple people have said, keep a pressure gauge in your car. Check pressures fairly regularly, especially with the seasons.

[chris_flies]

You generally want to inflate tires after going for a normal drive, that way the tires are at/near operating temps, and you'll know the tire pressures are good when you're driving. As the temperatures are dropping, it's important to check your pressures more frequently until temperatures settle for winter.

My pressures were WAY out of whack at the track last weekend, air does weird things when it goes from 18 degrees, to probably about 100 degrees, and then back to around 20 degrees, etc.

[WDE82]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

You generally want to inflate tires after going for a normal drive, that way the tires are at/near operating temps, and you'll know the tire pressures are good when you're driving. As the temperatures are dropping, it's important to check your pressures more frequently until temperatures settle for winter.

My pressures were WAY out of whack at the track last weekend, air does weird things when it goes from 18 degrees, to probably about 100 degrees, and then back to around 20 degrees, etc.

Tire specs are COLD for street use. When you're at the track, you may talk hot pressure, but the specs in the manual and on the door are cold.

Also air doesn't do anything weird. It expands and contracts almost perfectly linearly with temperature.

[Matticus91]

Does no one do the all-around pre-flight check anymore??? At least once per week I check all tires for pressure and tread, check fluids, check under car, check under hood for obvious faults...

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Does no one do the all-around pre-flight check anymore??? At least once per week I check all tires for pressure and tread, check fluids, check under car, check under hood for obvious faults...

I do that, mostly out of boredom, though! The thing's too good to do anything to it right now, and it's also cold outside.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

I do that, mostly out of boredom, though! The thing's too good to do anything to it right now, and it's also cold outside.

When I parked outside I used to walk around the car fully 360 to make sure there were no obvious problems but now since there isn't enough room in my garage to walk around it I've gotten lazy so I usually look over the car from whatever side I approach and just drive off after that.

[kprocivic]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Does no one do the all-around pre-flight check anymore??? At least once per week I check all tires for pressure and tread, check fluids, check under car, check under hood for obvious faults...

No. Thats somewhat like asking people if they check their oil.

[Stubbie Blue]

I check my pressures about once or twice a month. The Dunlop run-flats ride like crap when they are just 1 psi too low. So I keep them at 36/39 which seems to be the sweet spot.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Does no one do the all-around pre-flight check anymore??? At least once per week I check all tires for pressure and tread, check fluids, check under car, check under hood for obvious faults...

Do you find anything amiss? There is no dipstick, tire pressure warning light, oil level warning light, etc.

I check tire pressures seasonally. On my 135i I've found it doesn't change much.

[Esteban]

I usually do a monthly check of tires, fluids, etc. Seven years (Oct 2010) with the same car. So far, so good.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Do you find anything amiss? There is no dipstick, tire pressure warning light, oil level warning light, etc.

I check tire pressures seasonally. On my 135i I've found it doesn't change much.

Doing a regular check is how I spotted my OFHG was leaking on both 1ers. It's how I found a nail in one of my tires (TPMS doesn't kick in until the tire is 5-7psi below recommended, it was a slow leak. Oil you're kind of at the mercy of the car, as with trans fluid. Also good to look at your coolant/PS and brake fluids. Sensors can (and do) fail!