Tire Pressure Warnings
They help prevent blowouts and promote tire life, but when the tire monitoring system light comes on, drivers may worry.
Warning lights tell VW drivers that tire pressure has fallen below a predetermined level, between 38 and 42 psi, for example. A simple tire pressure check and fill will normally fix the problem, said Westside Fixed Operations Manager Dale Hummel.
Persistent tire pressure warnings may require a service visit. “The most common thing we see is a nail or other object in the tire,” he said.
The systems employ a sensor attached to each tire’s valve stem on the inside of the wheel. These measure pressure and temperature, and transmit a signal to a control module in the vehicle, Hummel explains. Higher temperatures tend to increase tire pressure, while lower temps decrease it. Proper inflation is crucial for emergency maneuvers and proper tire wear.
Small pressure fluctuations are of little concern, but great air losses can bring on more obvious symptoms. A tire down by 10 psi or more can cause a vehicle to pull to one side.
Some tire monitoring systems can signal a warning light when pressures are off by as little as 2 to 3 psi. Once the pressure is corrected, newer VWs will reset the system in the first 10 miles of driving. First generation tire monitors, such as the system on the 2004 Touareg can be placed in a learning model to reset the system.
Westside will soon offer nitrogen tire filling, which provides for more stable tire pressures and reduces pressure loss. Nitrogen can also slow a tire’s aging process, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Tire monitors should be supplemented by standard tire rotations at 10,000 miles, when the rubber can be checked for any current or potential problems. Recommended tire pressures are posted on the back of the driver’s door.
