Globeman

Today I was about 5 miles from home when the DIC displayed “LEFT FRONT TIRE FLAT’ message. I checked the tire and it looked OK. After about another ¼ mile of driving, the indication went out and the tire pressure displayed 30 psi (normal). I didn't think to check the pressure display when the Flat Tire message was displayed. When I got home I checked the pressure with a gauge and it was normal. The car has the original Goodyear Eagle Run Flats.

Any ideas on what could cause this? Could it be a fading TPS battery? The car is an ’06 with 11,800 miles.

mcandrew67

Low battery probably

RACE U

I would think your battery is fine (unless it was defective from the factory).

Have you changed tires on your car? One thing I ran into is that when the tire shop mounted the new tires, for some reason they did not put the sensors in the same location (left front, right front, left rear, right rear). This can cause an error in the system....I believe the message on the DIC is "service tpms system" or something like that. Also, if you pull up the tire pressure readings on your DIC and readings for all wheels are "xx", then it is probably a system issue.

I dont know where the process is documented here, but you can make sure that the sensors in your wheels are matched up with the correct placement (left front, etc.). I made the tire dealer do it for me, but it did not appear to be rocket science, and it resolved my issue.

Good luck.

MDPD23

TPS sensor is going bad.

WEBDZYNER

Replacing the sensor fixed that exact problem for me.

Bill Dearborn

Been through this a couple of times with my street and race wheels (12 sensors total). You have a sensor going bad. Not too much of an issue while driving on the street or highway. House of Wheels sells GM sensors for a good price call them to get a replacement unless you can get a local dealer to match their price. The sensors sold at the auto parts stores are sort of catch as catch can. Even though warrantied for a year stay away from the Dorman sensors. Their valve stems are longer than stock, they are slow to respond to a programmer one of mine failed within a month of installation requiring breaking down the tire and replacing the failed sensor. Warranty covered the cost of the sensor but not the cost of the tire shop that replaced it for me. GM sensors seem to last much longer.

Bill

Globeman

Thanks for the responses. It's probably the TPS sensor. The tires have never been off the wheels - everything is original from the factory.
If one sensor is dying, I suppose the rest will die soon too. Maybe I'll just wait till I need new tires and replace them all at that time.

Is there any way to disable tire pressure related alarms?

RobLo

Just had my tires replaced on my '05, had new OEM sensors installed too as the life is somewhere around 7-10 years (according to the Forum), installer charged me $43 for each sensor and had to calibrate them, everything fine now.

Fly'n Family

Sounds like a sensor to me. I'm on my 3rd set of tires in the last year or so (got rid of GY's for Michelins, changed tire size so another new set) and my front L sensor always starts out at 24psi with the low tire pressure indicator. Once I get it out of the garage and drive a block or so - it disappears and will show 27#'s like the rest of them do - and as the tires heat up they all go to 30#'s. My guess is the sensor.

AORoads

generally, this is true, but like anything, it could be less. as OP states, maybe when he next replaces tires, he'll replace all sensors at same time. good idea!

brewcitygymratt

TPS sensor probably going. My car will show zero pressure once in awhile. Once the car is restarted it shows normal pressure. Sensors are cheap. I bought 4 for around 170 off tire rack.

Quick Silver Z

I have had the same message two times in my 1+ year of ownership.

BillH2121

When the summer temperatures get above 100, I occasionally have a "flat tire" message on my passenger rear tire. Same tire always - I know that the monitor in that tire has issues - I ignore it and a short time late it will reread and correct itself.

Jef1230

I have one on the left rear that shows 0 pressure after adding air a few weeks ago. Gauge still shows 30 lbs. I just assumed the sensor went bad.

Bill Dearborn

Right now that doesn't sound like a problem. You will know when it takes a dump especially if you are driving on a curvy road over 55mph. That is when the system will apply the front brakes and slow you down to 55 (the rated speed of an EMT at 0 pressure). The system will let you go fast in a straight line but as soon as you start to turn it applies the brakes. It did it to me coming out of T4 at the Glen. At around 120 mph with a BMW M3 on my tail the sensor reading went to 0, the DIC flashed 55 mph max speed and the car put the brakes on. I almost had a BMW Roundel pasted into my rear fascia.

Bill

Globeman

Wow Bill, that's a serious problem. Did you ever figure out how to prevent that from happening? ...other than replacing all the sensors frequently. Have you discovered any way to prevent a tire pressure alarm from putting the car into Nanny Control Mode? I don't track my car or even push it hard but I'd hate to have it brake for a false reading - now that I know there's a flaky sensor.

JoesC5

That sounds scary. I sure wouldn't want it to happen to me when a 4X4 pickup is riding my *** on a curvy Ozark road, trying to prove something(besides showing that he is an idiot).

Fly'n Family

Holy smokes - thanks Bill.