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[shuzmaker]

While driving to work today, and just having only about 1300+ miles on it, the Flat Tire Monitor light came on accompanied with a wonderful "DINGGGG!"

Check the tires after I got to work and found that the front 2 tires were at about 32psi.
Left rear was at 31psi and right rear was at 37psi.

Hmmm... how the ???

So I brought it to the dealer and have them look at it to see if that was the real cause.
After much dissecting, they "professionally" reduce the pressure of the 37psi to 31psi, and reset the monitor.

"That's probably why your steering wheel was shimmering when you drive." --- THANKS!

The thing is, why was this car delivered this way, and, why did the sensor picked it up after 1300+ miles???

sigh...

Just an FYI for all you out there!

[spydrz]

This happened to me last month at the beginning of a 2500 mile trip while I was in rural southwestern VA. I pulled over, checked all the tires (they were fine) and recalibrated the sensor. It's been fine since. I guess the heat of the day, combined with the length of the trip must've done something. But it really freaked me out when it happened.

[F32Fleet]

You should check your tire pressures monthly and/or during seasonal changes (ie, summer/fall = colder mornings = lower pressure = ding ding ding tire warning).

[Nikki]

You should fill your cars with Nitrogen, it keeps the pressure the same for a much longer period and is especially good in climates where the temperature flucuates a lot (unlike here in S. Florida lol)

My bf works at Champion Audi and they do it for all the cars they get in for service unless you don't want it.

It claims to do all of the following:
* Nitrogen permeates through the tire 3 to 4 times slower than oxygen - tires maintain pressure longer for better fuel economy, better tire life, and increased safety.
* Nitrogen reduces oxidation to tire rubber and rims caused by oxygen in standard compressed air.
* Nitrogen filled tires run about 20% cooler than tires filled with standard compressed air - tires last longer.

[Red]

Very interesting concept, nikki. Never knew that.

[Squawks]

Oxidation in the tires/rims have never been a concern to me and I don't know a single person who had an issue with that. If you were charged for nitrogen, you just wasted your money. PSI differences of 1-2 are negligible to the daily driver. Rate of permeability is also negligible - who expects not to examine their tires for the entire year?

Simply put, there is nothing to be gained, except loss of your money, if you use nitrogen over air. If you get nitrogen for free, all for the better.

[vivekk]

http://www.blackcircles.com/general/technology

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by Squawks

Oxidation in the tires/rims have never been a concern to me and I don't know a single person who had an issue with that. If you were charged for nitrogen, you just wasted your money. PSI differences of 1-2 are negligible to the daily driver. Rate of permeability is also negligible - who expects not to examine their tires for the entire year?

Simply put, there is nothing to be gained, except loss of your money, if you use nitrogen over air. If you get nitrogen for free, all for the better.

you also live in california. people who live in other parts of the country battle with their tire pressure constantly. When I lived in Ct, I remember mine being low about 5 psi every couple weeks

[shuzmaker]

nitrogen... hmmm... I'll look into it

[CA330i]

Interesting - didn't know that. I'm not going to do it, but if I was where would I get the nitrogen?

[LEDZEP]

Nikki - excellent idea! But I prefer to fill my tires with Hydrogen!! When I have a blowout, I like to take 4 or 5 other cars with me!

Shuzmaker - why did they reduce the pressure rather than add? Check the specs, I think the rears should be about 37 PSI and the fronts 32.

[fdc]

Originally Posted by Nikki

You should fill your cars with Nitrogen, it keeps the pressure the same for a much longer period and is especially good in climates where the temperature flucuates a lot (unlike here in S. Florida lol)

My bf works at Champion Audi and they do it for all the cars they get in for service unless you don't want it.

It claims to do all of the following:
* Nitrogen permeates through the tire 3 to 4 times slower than oxygen - tires maintain pressure longer for better fuel economy, better tire life, and increased safety.
* Nitrogen reduces oxidation to tire rubber and rims caused by oxygen in standard compressed air.
* Nitrogen filled tires run about 20% cooler than tires filled with standard compressed air - tires last longer.

Nikki don't forget that air is 80% Nitrogen ....

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Nikki - excellent idea! But I prefer to fill my tires with Hydrogen!! When I have a blowout, I like to take 4 or 5 other cars with me!

brat!

[Red]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Nikki - excellent idea! But I prefer to fill my tires with Hydrogen!! When I have a blowout, I like to take 4 or 5 other cars with me!

hahah now that's funny

[shuzmaker]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Nikki - excellent idea! But I prefer to fill my tires with Hydrogen!! When I have a blowout, I like to take 4 or 5 other cars with me!

Shuzmaker - why did they reduce the pressure rather than add? Check the specs, I think the rears should be about 37 PSI and the fronts 32.

That's a good question!

I'll check it when I get home.

[ward]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Shuzmaker - why did they reduce the pressure rather than add? Check the specs, I think the rears should be about 37 PSI and the fronts 32.

on my 325 sport pack, 29 front 32 rear is the factory recommended setting

[billgti]

i'll check my tire pressures too this weekend.

just a question for u guys. i had the tire monitor warning within the first week of driving but i looked it up in the owner's manual and it said that i had to initialize the system, that was all. i'm not sure about u guys but initializing the FTM was not done when i took delivery of the car.

[espo]

Originally Posted by fdc

Nikki don't forget that air is 80% Nitrogen ....

Well it's actually 78.11% Nitrogen (I work for an air seperation company that "makes" the nitrogen that you would use for your tires, the oxygen that you get at the hospital, and the argon that fills the panes between your house windows).

The biggest problem with standard compressed air is not really the fact that there is oxygen in it, but there is water. The water is what creates the greatest increase in pressure as the tire heats up. If you don't want to use nitrogen, they you could use DRY compressed air and that would get you most of the way there....

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by ward

on my 325 sport pack, 29 front 32 rear is the factory recommended setting

Yeah, could be. I have non-sport.

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by Nikki

brat!

Nikki - OK, you've got me pegged! That pretty much sums it up doesn't it.

espo89: Let me guess... Air Products? Hey, if there are inert gases, like Argon... how come there are no "nert" gases?

[espo]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

espo89: Let me guess... Air Products? Hey, if there are inert gases, like Argon... how come there are no "nert" gases?

Guess again.....

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by ward

on my 325 sport pack, 29 front 32 rear is the factory recommended setting

My tyre pressure sticker states 30psi for the front 225 x 17" and 33psi for the back 255 x 17"

Mine was delivered to me with the factory air, which, as has been discussed previously, was far too high to help prevent flat spots. I lowered them and set the run flat monitoring to the new settings so conveniently and easily via my iDrive.

I checked the pressures last week and they were all down a few psi. I did not feel any difference in the drivability of the car though.

My old E46's tyres held pressure constantly for months.

Ah well, better to check them on a regular basis.