mini; run flats

BevieB

hi, a few days ago we had 3 new run flat tryes fitted to my mini cooper. apart from today we have only driven approx 10 miles a day at 30mph. today I drove about 3 miles at 60mph and the run flat sensor came up. I drove home and re set the sensor in case the garage had not reset since replacing tyres. since doing this the warning light has not come back on.
my questions is ; if the tyre had a puncture would the light come back on or have I confused the sensor?

neilmcl

BevieB wrote: »

hi, a few days ago we had 3 new run flat tryes fitted to my mini cooper. apart from today we have only driven approx 10 miles a day at 30mph. today I drove about 3 miles at 60mph and the run flat sensor came up. I drove home and re set the sensor in case the garage had not reset since replacing tyres. since doing this the warning light has not come back on.
my questions is ; if the tyre had a puncture would the light come back on or have I confused the sensor?

Rather than just resetting the TPMS have you actually checked your tyre pressures?

Iceweasel

Yes it will come if you have a puncture as it should.

I reset the system every time I check the tyre pressures.

As long as you'e followed the correct sequence - press reset then drive off immediately - then everything will be fine.

The reset light on mine goes off after less than 100 metres.

BevieB

neilmcl wrote: »

Rather than just resetting the TPMS have you actually checked your tyre pressures?

I will take back to garage tomorrow to check pressure. if for example the pressure was out and I reset would the red light from the sensor come back on

neilmcl

BevieB wrote: »

I will take back to garage tomorrow to check pressure. if for example the pressure was out and I reset would the red light from the sensor come back on

You haven't screwed anything up if that's what you're asking, just take it to a petrol station, check your tyre pressures then perform the reset following the manufacturer instructions.

rs65

BevieB wrote: »

I will take back to garage tomorrow to check pressure. if for example the pressure was out and I reset would the red light from the sensor come back on

It detects a drop in pressure so if there is no air in them, they can't drop.

Get the pressures checked quickly.

Iceweasel

You need to check the pressures yourself every 2 weeks or so - when the tyres are cold.

You can't rely on the warning light to tell that you that they need checking - that only tells you once the pressure has dropped considerably in one tyre.

Haven't you got a pressure gauge of your own?

In my response I was assuming you had checked the pressures - found they were OK - and then re-set the system.

forgotmyname

Nice to know the tyres are so cheap its cheaper to keep driving whether flat or not and possibly wreck the tyre than spend 20p at a garage or £5 for your own gauge.

BevieB

forgotmyname wrote: »

Nice to know the tyres are so cheap its cheaper to keep driving whether flat or not and possibly wreck the tyre than spend 20p at a garage or £5 for your own gauge.

no need to be sarcastic!!!!! I only had 3 new tryes put on 3 days ago and have only driven about 50 miles or so. I have only purchased car recently and was unsure about the run flats. I thought that the garage had not reset the sensor that is why I re set. I thought there may be a failsafe that if it was re set and the pressure was low it would immediately warn me.
I apologise for being so stupid.

Iceweasel

Every time you re-set the system it accepts that as the correct values and situation you want.

Even if all the pressures are well out and wildly different, pressing the reset button will make that the reference point.

The system doesn't have a clue what the pressures are - only the relative rotating speeds which vary according to the tyre pressure.

Any major change in rotation compared to the set value will bring the light on.

So it's very important that the pressures are adjusted correctly before pressing the re-set.

Ultrasonic

BevieB wrote: »

no need to be sarcastic!!!!! I only had 3 new tryes put on 3 days ago and have only driven about 50 miles or so. I have only purchased car recently and was unsure about the run flats. I thought that the garage had not reset the sensor that is why I re set. I thought there may be a failsafe that if it was re set and the pressure was low it would immediately warn me.
I apologise for being so stupid.

Tyre pressure warning systems like yours work by detecting changes in the circumference of the tyre, which decreases when the pressure drops. If you reset it when the pressure is low it will only come on again once the pressure has dropped even further.

Edit: cross posted with Iceweasel and he explained it much better!