Flat...or not ?!

DFW_M · 07-12-2007, 05:46 PM

About a year ago I got all of my tires replaced and soon after driving off the dealeship, the little red "!" popped up indicating tire problem. I stopped, re-initialized the computer and thing disappeared...

Well, today, driving back from work, it popped up again. I drove <60 mph back home and when I got home, I examined the tires and they all seemd to be OK. I, again, re-initialized the computer and "!" disappeared.

Questions: How do you know if you really have a flat (slow leak, which could be my case today) or it is only the computer freaking out?
Should I go to the dealer (not really close to my home) or ignore it and wait to see if it again pops up?

Thanks

Scorviss · 07-12-2007, 05:49 PM

I always keep a tire pressure gauge in my car, just check the tires and see if one has noticeably lower pressure than the others.

Autobot · 07-12-2007, 10:11 PM

I had this last Sat driving into town. The ! came on and I got a bit worried since I did get rid of my runflats as soon as I got home from the dealer at like 24 miles. But turned out I caught a small nail, luckily only had a VERY small leak and was able to wait until the next morning until I could plug it.

Sorry for the longness of that just saying that sometimes I can attest to the fact that its not just freaking out. Just check with a hand held tire pressure gauge and you will be alright

turbotko · 07-12-2007, 10:17 PM

How do you know if you have a flat? Well, you get the little gauge doohicky out and check the pressures. That should tell you, sure enough.

Really though, it can sometimes be impossible to tell if a runflat is even completely out of air, something that could be very dangerous or damaging if you ran it at high speeds or long distances.

If you have the older wheel speed sensor system, that "computer" doesn't freak out. If the light comes on, and the system was properly initialized, you have a tire losing pressure for sure. I have seen a few of the newer systems that directly monitor tire pressure to turn the light on when there's a problem with the system and you may not necessarily have a flat.

Bottom line, familiarize yourself with how the system you have works, THEN TRUST IT!!

UncleWede · 07-12-2007, 11:37 PM

Not always true. I have the older wheel speed sensor. I had started out of town on a trip and got about 10 miles into the trip when BAM! there's that light. I got off at the next exit, pulled into a tire store that happened to be there. Checked all four tires with a good quality guage, then the tire salesman came out and offered to do teh same for free. Nope, all were equal. He hadn't seen/done the reinitialize, so watched over my shoulder as I did it. That was at least 8 months ago, the thing hasn't gone off again.
So, yes, SOMETIMES they freak out. I keep that guage in teh glove box except when I'm actually testing teh pressures.

DFW_M · 07-13-2007, 09:23 AM

Looks like it was the computer...
I would think they made those more reliable, otherwise the RFT headache becomes even worse...

Thanks for your suggestions.

07-12-2007, 05:46 PM	#1
DFW_M Major General 1671 Rep 6,589 Posts Drives: Macan GTS Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (4)	Flat...or not ?! About a year ago I got all of my tires replaced and soon after driving off the dealeship, the little red "!" popped up indicating tire problem. I stopped, re-initialized the computer and thing disappeared... Well, today, driving back from work, it popped up again. I drove <60 mph back home and when I got home, I examined the tires and they all seemd to be OK. I, again, re-initialized the computer and "!" disappeared. Questions: How do you know if you really have a flat (slow leak, which could be my case today) or it is only the computer freaking out? Should I go to the dealer (not really close to my home) or ignore it and wait to see if it again pops up? Thanks
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07-12-2007, 05:49 PM	#2
Scorviss Private First Class 55 Rep 167 Posts Drives: OG M2, G80 on order Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Silicon Valley iTrader: (1)	I always keep a tire pressure gauge in my car, just check the tires and see if one has noticeably lower pressure than the others.
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07-12-2007, 10:11 PM	#3
Autobot Brigadier General 84 Rep 3,106 Posts Drives: 15 F22 M235 6MT Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (8)	I had this last Sat driving into town. The ! came on and I got a bit worried since I did get rid of my runflats as soon as I got home from the dealer at like 24 miles. But turned out I caught a small nail, luckily only had a VERY small leak and was able to wait until the next morning until I could plug it. Sorry for the longness of that just saying that sometimes I can attest to the fact that its not just freaking out. Just check with a hand held tire pressure gauge and you will be alright __________________ Delivered 28 May
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07-12-2007, 10:17 PM	#4
turbotko Lieutenant 67 Rep 527 Posts Drives: 09 E90 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: georgia iTrader: (3)	How do you know if you have a flat? Well, you get the little gauge doohicky out and check the pressures. That should tell you, sure enough. Really though, it can sometimes be impossible to tell if a runflat is even completely out of air, something that could be very dangerous or damaging if you ran it at high speeds or long distances. If you have the older wheel speed sensor system, that "computer" doesn't freak out. If the light comes on, and the system was properly initialized, you have a tire losing pressure for sure. I have seen a few of the newer systems that directly monitor tire pressure to turn the light on when there's a problem with the system and you may not necessarily have a flat. Bottom line, familiarize yourself with how the system you have works, THEN TRUST IT!! __________________ 10 AW on fox E90 M3 with 2 pedals, gentleman’s ride 08 AW on fox E92 M3 also 2 pedals, a bit more rowdy
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07-12-2007, 11:37 PM	#5
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18031 Rep 9,378 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	Not always true. I have the older wheel speed sensor. I had started out of town on a trip and got about 10 miles into the trip when BAM! there's that light. I got off at the next exit, pulled into a tire store that happened to be there. Checked all four tires with a good quality guage, then the tire salesman came out and offered to do teh same for free. Nope, all were equal. He hadn't seen/done the reinitialize, so watched over my shoulder as I did it. That was at least 8 months ago, the thing hasn't gone off again. So, yes, SOMETIMES they freak out. I keep that guage in teh glove box except when I'm actually testing teh pressures.
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07-13-2007, 09:23 AM	#6
DFW_M Major General 1671 Rep 6,589 Posts Drives: Macan GTS Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (4)	Looks like it was the computer... I would think they made those more reliable, otherwise the RFT headache becomes even worse... Thanks for your suggestions.
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