Nissan 370Z Forum  

Tire pressure warning light is going off but the tires look fine

Today I noticed the warning light for tire pressure was on. I drove back home and immediately checked the pressure in all 4 tires, and they all read the same

Go Back   Nissan 370Z Forum > Nissan 370Z Tech Area > Wheels & Tires


Like Tree4Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-06-2010, 04:59 PM   #1 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 57
Drives: 2009 370Z
Rep Power: 16
dandg is on a distinguished road
Exclamation Tire pressure warning light is going off but the tires look fine

Today I noticed the warning light for tire pressure was on. I drove back home and immediately checked the pressure in all 4 tires, and they all read the same (edit** about 30). The tires are filled with nitrogen. I'm from Florida and it's about 50 degrees here. Could the temperature have anything to do with it? Has anyone had anything similiar happen? Or maybe its a malfunction. I tried to check for any punctures (nails, etc) but couldn't find anything.

EDIT**: The cars been acting kinda funny today:

1. Today while driving it, it seemed to drive slightly different. Nothing bad, but I've had it for a year and could tell that something was different. I'm assuming the cold weather, possibly. At times it would be sluggish when I accelerated quickly, the power was still there and it actually seemed a bit more powerful.

2. I put it in the manual mode, and while changing gears the indicator on the dash that displays the gears would be very slow in changing numbers, and it would flicker. The actual gear change wasn't slow.

3. I am getting the slip indicator light a lot whenever I stepped on the gas. VDC is on. The car is just acting weird today overall.

Last edited by dandg; 01-06-2010 at 07:09 PM.
dandg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2010, 05:08 PM   #2 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
spearfish25's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Naples, FL
Posts: 4,117
Drives: to work
Rep Power: 1856
spearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to spearfish25
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dandg View Post
Today I noticed the warning light for tire pressure was on. I drove back home and immediately checked the pressure in all 4 tires, and they all read the same (slightly below 25).
Typo? The tire pressures should be 35 all around. This would obviously explain the TPMS light coming on.
__________________
2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z
spearfish25 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2010, 05:27 PM   #3 (permalink)
JB1
Track Member
 
JB1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 748
Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z sold
Rep Power: 17
JB1 has a spectacular aura aboutJB1 has a spectacular aura about
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dandg View Post
How could all 4 times be losing pressure like that simultaneously?
It's due to the lower outside temperature, every 10 degree drop in temp results in about 1 PSI drop in tire pressure.

Quote:
Originally Posted by dandg View Post
I also forget to mention that today I noticed I was getting the slip indicator light a lot whenever I stepped on the gas. VDC is on. The car is just acting funny today overall.
Cold outside =Colder tires = less grip
__________________
Black Fangs // Black rear Valance // Berk CBE // COBB post MAF tubes // K&N drop in filters // Setrab Oil Cooler // Stillen Sway bars // Z1 SS brake lines // Stillen brake cooling kit // Harness bar //
JB1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2010, 05:28 PM   #4 (permalink)
Track Member
 
puckshaw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 620
Drives: 09 PW 370Z Touring
Rep Power: 17
puckshaw is a name known to allpuckshaw is a name known to allpuckshaw is a name known to allpuckshaw is a name known to allpuckshaw is a name known to allpuckshaw is a name known to all
Default

Tires will lose pressure over time. I check mine about every month and add air when needed. How often do you add air/nitrogen to yours?

Oh and stiff sidewalls can make it hard/impossible to tell if a tire is low on pressure just by looking at it. Invest in a good tire gauge.
puckshaw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2010, 05:29 PM   #5 (permalink)
dad
Grand Prix of Endurance
 
dad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 3,476
Drives: Mulsanne Straight
Rep Power: 26
dad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dandg View Post
You might be right, I think I remember them being 35 but I'm not completely sure. How could all 4 times be losing pressure like that simultaneously?

Maybe my cheap tire pressure instrument is wrong, I'm gonna head to a gas station and check.

The tires don't look low. If it turns out they are all around 25 is it okay if I put regular air in there with the nitrogen?



I updated my first post about the car acting up today too.
Gas station gauges can't be trusted! I got one of these for Christmas, excellent, I love it!
Amazon.com: Accutire MS-5510B Racing Tire Gauge: Automotive
dad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2010, 05:37 PM   #6 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 57
Drives: 2009 370Z
Rep Power: 16
dandg is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JB1 View Post
It's due to the lower outside temperature, every 10 degree drop in temp results in about 1 PSI drop in tire pressure.



Cold outside =Colder tires = less grip
Will it go back up as the temperature goes up?
dandg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2010, 05:53 PM   #7 (permalink)
JB1
Track Member
 
JB1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 748
Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z sold
Rep Power: 17
JB1 has a spectacular aura aboutJB1 has a spectacular aura about
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dandg View Post
Will it go back up as the temperature goes up?
It should, but I wouldn't wait for it, just adjust it now and re-adjust when the temperature goes up again (if needed)
__________________
Black Fangs // Black rear Valance // Berk CBE // COBB post MAF tubes // K&N drop in filters // Setrab Oil Cooler // Stillen Sway bars // Z1 SS brake lines // Stillen brake cooling kit // Harness bar //
JB1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2010, 06:31 PM   #8 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 57
Drives: 2009 370Z
Rep Power: 16
dandg is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JB1 View Post
It should, but I wouldn't wait for it, just adjust it now and re-adjust when the temperature goes up again (if needed)
Is it okay to put regular air in tires filled with nitrogen?

I know the regular air is composed of 78% nitrogen. But I'm not sure the effect it will had. I really wish my tires didn't have nitrogen, but it came with the car..
dandg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2010, 06:44 PM   #9 (permalink)
Track Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 887
Drives: BMW 335i Sport
Rep Power: 17
VCuomo will become famous soon enoughVCuomo will become famous soon enough
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dandg View Post
Is it okay to put regular air in tires filled with nitrogen?...
Yes, although it's better to keep using pure nitrogen if you can (it's less susceptible to pressure changes caused by temperature changes, and your tires will remain at the recommended tire pressure longer than they would with "normal" air).

Last edited by VCuomo; 01-06-2010 at 06:49 PM.
VCuomo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2010, 06:52 PM   #10 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
spearfish25's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Naples, FL
Posts: 4,117
Drives: to work
Rep Power: 1856
spearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to spearfish25
Default

Just start filling with air and scratch the nitrogen. Such a gimmick. I'm sure someone will argue that though. I have yet to find someone who can convince me that 78 vs 100% nitrogen in my fill makes any difference. I'd be more annoyed at worrying about adjusting tire pressures if I have a nitrogen fill since I'd have to find a place to fill them. Not to mention that nitrogen is super cheap but car places charge you $80 for the fills.
Cory Gillmore likes this.
__________________
2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z
spearfish25 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2010, 07:13 PM   #11 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 57
Drives: 2009 370Z
Rep Power: 16
dandg is on a distinguished road
Default

I made a mistake ...the instrument was reading 30 for all tire pressure on the 4 tires. Should the warning light even be on?

I agree with the nitrogen gimmick, I'd rather not have it, it's really a pain. But that's good to know about mixing regular air with it, I didn't want to cause an explosion that stops time and create a black hole or something
Cory Gillmore likes this.
dandg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2010, 07:57 PM   #12 (permalink)
The370Z.com Sponsor
 
Josh@STILLEN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Costa Mesa, CA
Posts: 1,197
Drives: 2004 G35 Coupe 6MT
Rep Power: 533
Josh@STILLEN has a reputation beyond reputeJosh@STILLEN has a reputation beyond reputeJosh@STILLEN has a reputation beyond reputeJosh@STILLEN has a reputation beyond reputeJosh@STILLEN has a reputation beyond reputeJosh@STILLEN has a reputation beyond reputeJosh@STILLEN has a reputation beyond reputeJosh@STILLEN has a reputation beyond reputeJosh@STILLEN has a reputation beyond reputeJosh@STILLEN has a reputation beyond reputeJosh@STILLEN has a reputation beyond repute
Default

30 after you were driving, or dead cold?

I think they trigger at 27lbs or so.. and won't go off until it gets to some higher number (so it's not going on and off). So if it's cold out, and after you warmed them it was 30, I'm sure you were below the threashold..

Try adding 5 lbs to each with a real gauge of some type and get them even, see if the light goes off.
Josh@STILLEN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2010, 08:04 PM   #13 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
PapoZalsa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Not in Sunny Florida
Posts: 6,358
Drives: 16 Nismo w/Tech Pack
Rep Power: 4500
PapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dandg View Post
Is it okay to put regular air in tires filled with nitrogen?

I know the regular air is composed of 78% nitrogen. But I'm not sure the effect it will had. I really wish my tires didn't have nitrogen, but it came with the car..


However you should go to the dealer and get it service. You already paid for it!
__________________
2009 370Z MB Base w/Sport Package 6MT
Modshack's Custom Air Intakes /3M Clear Bra/ Illuminated Kick Plates / F. I CBE w/12" resonators / EVO-R Front Lip / Rear Hatch Wing / Tein S-Tech Springs /Ilegal Tint in the Rep. of VA/4x20mm Z1 Spacers/ Vinyl Roof/Liquid Carbon Designs
PapoZalsa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2010, 08:11 PM   #14 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
vipor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ]
Age: 42
Posts: 13,531
Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB
Rep Power: 49
vipor has a reputation beyond reputevipor has a reputation beyond reputevipor has a reputation beyond reputevipor has a reputation beyond reputevipor has a reputation beyond reputevipor has a reputation beyond reputevipor has a reputation beyond reputevipor has a reputation beyond reputevipor has a reputation beyond reputevipor has a reputation beyond reputevipor has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dad View Post
Gas station gauges can't be trusted! I got one of these for Christmas, excellent, I love it!
Amazon.com: Accutire MS-5510B Racing Tire Gauge: Automotive
nice, especially with the locking valve option. is yours like that or do you have to hold in on? i never get a good seal like that.
__________________

2009 NISMO # 0193 | QAB | Albums! | 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq
Oil Cooler (DIY) | Custom Headlights | GTSPEC Braces | F.I. Long Tube Headers
vipor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2010, 08:13 PM   #15 (permalink)
SBZ
Base Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Carpinteria California
Posts: 12
Drives: 2010 370z Roadster
Rep Power: 16
SBZ is on a distinguished road
Default

I had the same problem last week. Normaly the car lives in the garage, but we were on a road trip to Monterey Ca. It was a cold night. The warning light went out after about 20 minutes of driving.
SBZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:09 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2