Tire pressure sensor replacement - ouch!

[aslusers]

We put on after market tire valve caps that show when the tire is low. (has a small plastic viewing window that shows green when the pressure is right and red when it is low.)

(reason - we had a slow leak for about 2 months - finally found a nail in the tire - put the after market valve covers on to help us see quickly when the tire was low.)

We discovered that our local car wash broke this valve cap. The damage requires the whole tire pressure system be replaced. Discount Tire is charging us $89 (parts and labor) to do it. The dealership wanted $101 just for the part - who knows how much for the labor!

This was an expensive lesson.

Leave the original tire valve caps on!

Holly

[aslusers]

Hi again -

For the curious - The parts came in today at Discount Tire. It took about 25 minutes for them to replace the broken tire valve and sensor.

The low tire light stubbornly stayed on for the 6 minute drive, despite pressing the tire pressure reset button (nervously, I might add).

After a dinner out, the light went out when I started the car. I guess it needed to cool down? I don't really know it took that long to reset, but in the end, it was a rather painless service (other than the unexpected $89 charge).

By the way - I spent my time in the tire place answering questions from the employees and other customers. smile

Holly

[NCC1701]

I've seen those pressure sensing valve caps for sale. They come with various values and they do seem interesting. But, I already had a nifty Craftsman digital gauge so no need to the caps.

Can you give more details on what the damage was that was done by the car wash? How do you blame the pressure indicator caps, and not the car wash? Are you sure this damage wouldn't have occurred even with the standard valve caps?

Thanks

[aslusers]

Originally Posted by NCC1701

I've seen those pressure sensing valve caps for sale. They come with various values and they do seem interesting. But, I already had a nifty Craftsman digital gauge so no need to the caps.

Can you give more details on what the damage was that was done by the car wash? How do you blame the pressure indicator caps, and not the car wash? Are you sure this damage wouldn't have occurred even with the standard valve caps?

Thanks

We can't be sure the damage was because of the valve caps. They just stick out about an inch more than the regular ones. We've been through a car wash 4 or 5 times with no problems. My husband thinks it was the metal track edge or the mechanism that engages with the wheel to move the car through that did the damage. The two left wheels go into that track. That tire just happened to land with the big valve cap sticking just at a place where it got crushed - taking some of the actual valve with it.

BTW - The tire store guy told me they don't recommend these kinds of gimmicky caps because they tend to leak.

Live and learn, I guess!

Hope someone else learns from our experience.

I do wish the oh-so-fancy tire pressure sensors would tell us 1) which tire and 2) how low it is on the dash. The generic low tire warning light is hear-attack inducing at high speeds and not very helpful! Especially because it comes on when the tire is slightly low - and it is not yet a full blown emergency.

Seems to me the Smart IS smart - but the dashboard/console doesn't speak fluently. No engine temperature gauge, simple on-or-off warning lights, inaccurate gas tank display, etc. This car computer can shift for me, but it can't tell me the simplest things. Maybe someone needs to give some language lessons to the Smarts.

I rant, yet I still love this little bugger!

Holly

[CruzinSusan]

The trick to resetting the tire pressure sensor is turn key on, but don't start; hold the button down until the light flashes several times. Take your finger off the button, and indicator on instrument screen will be gone.

Reading the 310 page manual is a great help. Since there's no way I can memorize it all, I keep it in my smartie. I read the section I have an issue/question about first, then call smart center Portland for input and walk-through guidance if I can't fix the proplem.

Personally, and keep in mind I'm an Old Lady, I check with my Service Guy, The Brycemaster, before I do *anything* to my smartie. smarts are like iphones you drive...all electronics, encased by sublime engineering.

It pays to make friends with your Service Guy...

[britboy]

what button should i hold down?

[JPaul]

Originally Posted by britboy

what button should i hold down?

A picture is worth...