TPMS going haywire on me

[z1ggy]

I have a 2011 Mazda3 hatch. Now that it's getting cold out, for whatever reason my TPMS is going nuts and keeps telling me my tire pressure is too low and to "check my tires". I mean, duh I get the pressure will be lower when it's cold out, but once it warms up later in the day, the air should expand and bring the pressure back to the rated levels. The indication doesn't really ever go off though unless it gets much warmer out.

I don't want to see/listen to this thing go off every day for the next 4-5 months. Is there anything I can do?

 

[mmntech]

Yep, that's a common problem at this time of year. I'm assuming you've physically checked the tires. They might just need to be topped up a little while they're still cold. Light should go out after that.

If that doesn't solve it, take it into your Mazda dealer and whine at them. Could be a bad sensor.

 

[brainhulk]

Clear it with a code reader? I think i did that once after i made sure all the tires including the spare were good

 

[JCH13]

You shouldn't need to clear any codes with a Mazda, when the pressure is right the light will go off.

Check pressures on all tires, including the spare.

If those are right you've probably got a failing sensor.

 

[xBiffx]

I have a 2011 Mazda3 hatch. Now that it's getting cold out, for whatever reason my TPMS is going nuts and keeps telling me my tire pressure is too low and to "check my tires". I mean, duh I get the pressure will be lower when it's cold out, but once it warms up later in the day, the air should expand and bring the pressure back to the rated levels. The indication doesn't really ever go off though unless it gets much warmer out.

I don't want to see/listen to this thing go off every day for the next 4-5 months. Is there anything I can do?

The pressures should be measured cold, so if its going off when its cold you need to add some air.

 

[z1ggy]

Thanks to everybody who responded. I didn't know it was rated & measured while cold.. So I'll go top it off on Saturday morning of this week while it's still cold out. Hopefully that works!!

 

[xBiffx]

Thanks to everybody who responded. I didn't know it was rated & measured while cold.. So I'll go top it off on Saturday morning of this week while it's still cold out. Hopefully that works!!

Just another word of advice. Try to drive to the nearest filling station. Even though air temps are cold, the tires can still heat up a little if you drive far to get your air.

 

[cabri]

Thanks to everybody who responded. I didn't know it was rated & measured while cold.. So I'll go top it off on Saturday morning of this week while it's still cold out. Hopefully that works!!

Get a tire pressure gauge and check all 5 when cold and vehicle has not been driven.

Then if anything is low; fill them up when tires still cold (as stated above)


If the TPS triggers again, repeat the cycle and also find out what may be leaking.

 

[mmntech]

Just another word of advice. Try to drive to the nearest filling station. Even though air temps are cold, the tires can still heat up a little if you drive far to get your air.

Better yet, invest in an air compressor. Comes in very handy. :thumbsup:

 

[cabri]

Better yet, invest in an air compressor. Comes in very handy. :thumbsup:

Previous thread on such

 

[z1ggy]

There's two gas stations within like 2-3 miles of me. I know for sure one has an air pump because I used it on my motorcycle over the summer. The closer one may or may not have one... I'll have to check.

Yeah one of those air compressors to own at home would be sweet. I would love to have my own hydraulic lift, too Maybe once I actually have my own garage!

 

[JulesMaximus]

I've never had a problem with a TPS. Whenever the light has gone off it is always because at least one tire is reading too low on air. Top it up and it is fine. I've found on Lexus and Toyota models that if the pressure drops down below 30psi it will trigger the low tire pressure warning light.

 

[xBiffx]

Better yet, invest in an air compressor. Comes in very handy. :thumbsup:

Air compressors blow.

But, yeah. :thumbsup:

 

[LTC8K6]

Every winter, reliably, my dash reports that the pressure in the spare is low.

 

[xBiffx]

Every winter, reliably, my dash reports that the pressure in the spare is low.

Whoa, you got a sensor in your spare? Cool beans.

 

[LTC8K6]

Whoa, you got a sensor in your spare? Cool beans.

Yep:

http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/7a0d/yeymycymynz6g.jpg

Right front had a nail in it one afternoon:

http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9b2d/moe9oe6x894ga5z6g.jpg

 

[NutBucket]

Air compressors blow.

But a bicycle pump....is cheaper.

 

[mmntech]

Air compressors blow.

But, yeah. :thumbsup:

http://instantrimshot.com/index.php?sound=rimshot&play=true

 

[toronado97]

Not sure if the '11 is the same as my '14, but I have a TPMS button I just hold down to reset it. If it's going off in the morning when it's cold, and you know the tires have the correct amount of air, simply hold the button down until it beeps and resets at the new colder temperature PSI. I've got a nail in my tire right now I have to get fixed, and I've noticed that my light won't go off until I'm down about 6 pounds of pressure. No idea how much PSI change you are experiencing at this time of year even in cold mornings, but 6 PSI sounds extreme if it's a similar system. Sure you don't have a leak somewhere?

 

[Raizinman]

Each TPMS sensor has a battery in it. This powers the radio communications in the TPMS. Some TPMS sensors have the ability to change a dead or dying battery, but not so in the Mazda 2011. The battery is sealed in plastic. When the TPMS starts to go crazy or giving false readings, the most likely cause, especially from a 2011 vehicle is a dying TPMS battery. The solution: Replace the sensor. The next question is do you replace one or all 4 sensors? The answer is: Why wait for each sensor to fail, obviously they will all fail shortly so replace all 4 sensors. Cost will be about $60-$80 plus labor per wheel. If you need new tires, doing both at the same time would save some money. Keep in mind, that cold weather will also cause the TPMS battery to read low. Most TPMS scanners can read the battery sensor output if you feel this is the problem. From my experience, if the TPMS battery is reading low enough to set the light due to cold weather, it is time for replacement, no different than a car battery.

 

[z1ggy]

Not sure if the '11 is the same as my '14, but I have a TPMS button I just hold down to reset it. If it's going off in the morning when it's cold, and you know the tires have the correct amount of air, simply hold the button down until it beeps and resets at the new colder temperature PSI. I've got a nail in my tire right now I have to get fixed, and I've noticed that my light won't go off until I'm down about 6 pounds of pressure. No idea how much PSI change you are experiencing at this time of year even in cold mornings, but 6 PSI sounds extreme if it's a similar system. Sure you don't have a leak somewhere?

I am not totally sure. I visually checked my tires and didn't see anything, but that's not much of an indication. I'll have to check the pressure Saturday morning and fill the tire(s) up that need air. If the alarm trips again, I'll know I'm leaking air or the TMPS are going wacky.

Each TPMS sensor has a battery in it. This powers the radio communications in the TPMS. Some TPMS sensors have the ability to change a dead or dying battery, but not so in the Mazda 2011. The battery is sealed in plastic. When the TPMS starts to go crazy or giving false readings, the most likely cause, especially from a 2011 vehicle is a dying TPMS battery. The solution: Replace the sensor. The next question is do you replace one or all 4 sensors? The answer is: Why wait for each sensor to fail, obviously they will all fail shortly so replace all 4 sensors. Cost will be about $60-$80 plus labor per wheel. If you need new tires, doing both at the same time would save some money. Keep in mind, that cold weather will also cause the TPMS battery to read low. Most TPMS scanners can read the battery sensor output if you feel this is the problem. From my experience, if the TPMS battery is reading low enough to set the light due to cold weather, it is time for replacement, no different than a car battery.

Are these covered under warranty at all? Ah crap on second though... I think my 3yr/36000 is no longer valid because I'm at like 37,0000 miles now Of course....Never fails. Hopefully it's just some low pressure and no leaks or sensor malfunctions

 

[LTC8K6]

You need about a 6 to 7 psi drop to trigger the light and then a 4 or 5 psi rise to shut the light off.

http://www.wkjeeps.com/wk_tpms.htm

Chart at the bottom of the page.

Tuners can often alter these thresholds.

It's common for Wrangler owners to want a lower PSI.

 

[cbrsurfr]

I had Discount Tire replace 2 or 3 of mine when I made the mistake of using metallic valve stem caps through the winter. They seized on. The cost of the sensor covered install, re-mounting and re-balancing, but I also give them a lot of business so maybe they gave me a deal.

Now I could care less about TPMS. My winter wheels don't even have a set installed. The Evo can only be paired with one set at a time anyway and the dealer charges about 90 min shop time to re-encode. No thanks, I'm capable of checking pressure on my own.

 

[cabri]

Chrysler does not warranty their TPMS.

And if you have a shitty valve stem that has corroded, you are SOL in moving the TPMS to a different tire.

 

[boomerang]

Been out of town for three weeks. In that time frame temps have gone from high sixties to low forties. Sure as shit, the tires are three pounds low. One pound for every ten degrees is the rule of thumb.

Here's a little common sense trick if you have to drive a distance to air up your tires. Record the pressure of one tire before leaving the house and again when you get to where you can add air. If the pressure is 27 before you leave and 29 when you arrive, just add two more pounds to correct inflation pressure. For example instead of 30 inflate to 32. I can inflate at home with my compressor but I will often compensate for rising or falling temps. I know that in the fall temps are going to drop so I will over inflate by a pound or two so that I should be good in a month or two. Just did it this morning in fact. Added the three it was low and another pound for falling temps. Should be good through December if temps follow typical patterns.