Low/Flat Tire light....??????????

[LilRedCorvette]

Took the vette out today and this particular light went on (and stayed on) after I left my house, about a mile away. Being as paranoid as I am I got out and looked at the tires. They seem fine. There was no flat (I think it would have been fairly obvious!); they don't even look low. I've had the car for about a month and it is supposedly up-to-date on everything...

I did make a stop at a store, came back, started her up again, and it did NOT come back on. Is it just a fluke? Am I over-reacting? Or should I check it out further? Would this be something for Joe Malo to have a look at? I am really not mechanically inclined...

Thoughts? Any advice/input/ideas gladly welcomed...Thanks!

[ArmyVette]

Laurie, this may be normal for this time of year. The cold air reduces the air pressure in your tires, in this case, below the point where it activates the tire sensor's low pressure warning. In my 04 coupe, it comes on at 25 PSI. After the tire warms up, the tire pressure should increase above the warning threshold level.

The question I can't positively answer for you, however, is whether the light will go off on its own or whether you have to reset it. In my 04, I have to reset the warning (clears the DIC) and it won't give you another low warning for that tire location again until I shut off/restart the car.

You might also want to check your tire pressure tomorrow morning (or any time when the tires are cool, normally 3 or 4 hours after your last trip). They should be around 30 PSI cold. If the pressure is below that, they are underfilled and, with this cold weather, will likely trigger you warning lights.

Hope this helps. [:D] [:D] [:D]

[ArmyVette]

One more thing, looks can be deceiving!! If you are driving around on run flats, the sidewalls are much harder than regular tires and won't have the normal look of a "flat" tire. You'll have to rely on your tire sensors or check them with a tire pressure guage.

Jeff [:D] [:D]

[LilRedCorvette]

Jeff, thanks for your response! Like I said, when I restarted it, it didn't come back on, so your explanation of the cold tires makes total sense. I will still keep watchful eye on that warning light as well as the tire pressure...

[:)]

[Black396]

Laurie,
That's the way it works on my C4 (96). Like Jeff said, once it comes on it stays on until the key is turned off. Check the air pressure in your tires. You should have between 30 and 32 psi all the way around. I like to run 32psi in mine. Its a little higher then most people run but it's better for tire wear.

It does give a rougher ride though. Under no circumstances should you run less then 30 psi on the 'vette.

[LilRedCorvette]

Thanks Mike and Jeff...I will see if the light comes on again and check the pressure the next time I take it out (which unfortunately sounds like NOT tomorrow due to the impending weather!), and add air if necessary.

I hate winter. [:((]

[Black396]

Oh, one other thing if you aren't already aware of it. Be very careful where you get your tires changed. The LTPWS sensors on the C4s are on a large band that runs around the center inside the wheel. They are very easy to break while changing tires. They are also very expensive to replace and are getting hard to find. GM is no longer carrying them.

I had a "supposedly" qualifed technician break two of them when they replaced all four tires on the '96 three years ago. It took them almost 45 days to replace them.

[LilRedCorvette]

Mike-

Good to know. Is there any place you recommend for tire changes (when that time comes)? I know you do a lot of stuff yourself, but I don't have the skill or facilities for that. Basically everything I need to do to this car short of washing/waxing/detailing/filling it up with gas I will need to pay someone to do.

Is that Joe Malo dude the best for this routine care stuff? [:-/]

[Black396]

I have been getting them mounted and balanced at Curray's but they have gotten very expensive lately. I think Andrej (Urtoslo) has found another place that is good and not quite so expensive.

We really need to get a list of all the places like this the club uses and get a page on the web site or a forum here dedicated to them.

[LilRedCorvette]

I agree, Mike. As a member (and as a not-so-mechanically-inclined person) I would love to see that happen. How do we go about compiling a list? Maybe start a separate post asking who people are using for certain things? Then forward it to the webmaster?

Thoughts, anyone?
[:-/]