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Car Forum / Toyota / Toyota Cars / November 2007Low tire pressure indicator light always on
I have a 3 month old RAV 4 limited. Within 2 weeks of purchase the low pressure indicator light popped on. I took it to the dealer and they did something that turned it off for a few days. I have checked tire pressure carefully. Not the problem. The dealer service Dept claims this is a chronic problem with RAV 4s due to the spare in thr rear and differential heating. I'm not buying this since the problem is there every morning before running when the tires are the same temp and pressure. Having that light on really bug me. Can anyone suggest an idea that I can suggest to the service dept. thanks Dennis > I have a 3 month old RAV 4 limited. Within 2 weeks of > purchase the low pressure indicator light popped on. I took it to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > thanks > Dennis Ask the service department to check the technical info database.  SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) Ray, Thanks for the input. The service dept seems reluctant to take my suggestions. Is there an internet source for these technical databases that I could access? A directed reference might help Dennis >> I have a 3 month old RAV 4 limited. Within 2 weeks of >> purchase the low pressure indicator light popped on. I took it to [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > >Ask the service department to check the technical info database. > Ray, > Thanks for the input. The service dept seems reluctant to take my [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >>> Dennis >> Ask the service department to check the technical info database. Try this one, it might be of help. http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/ > Ray, > Thanks for the input. The service dept seems reluctant to take my > suggestions. Is there an internet source for these technical > databases that I could access? A directed reference might help Besides the tundrasolutions pay site that Ph@boy mentioned, you can subscribe to techinfo.toyota.com and for access to the factory service manuals and technical service bulletins. Techinfo.toyota.com is sponsored by Toyota. A third free choice is to subscribe to http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Toyotas_Only/, hosted by a Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician. You have to ask to join the free yahoo group, but toyota_mdt_tech provides top notch advice and is more current than me. Although I worked for Toyota Motor Sales for 15 years, it was a while ago, long before tire pressure monitors were invented. One more thing to try is to call Toyota's customer relations hot line at 1-800-331-4331 (I still remember it after all these years!) and see if they will open a file for you. Good luck! SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) >> Ray, >> Thanks for the input. The service dept seems reluctant to take my [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Good luck! I registered free and pay nothing Ray. The only really major thing that the subscription allows is downloading files. > > Ray, > > Thanks for the input. The service dept seems reluctant to take my [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > Ray O > (correct punctuation to reply) Just for kicks, I tried the $10/day techinfo.toyota.com subscription. I was rather shocked at all the information available. Wiring schematics, very very detailed instructions on assembly, disassembly, diagnosing, etc... of everything. Tons of info. I'm not much of a car guy so it's hard to get to detailed with my descriptions but it told me how to remove the instrument panel which I was curious about and I read about the throttle body which I am interested in cleaning. Just my .02. Regards, Steve >> > Ray, >> > Thanks for the input. The service dept seems reluctant to take my [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > > Steve Basically, the Toyota web site has all of the information available to dealer techs. SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) > I have a 3 month old RAV 4 limited. Within 2 weeks of > purchase the low pressure indicator light popped on. I took it to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > thanks > Dennis You might try increasing the tire pressure in all the tires by about 5 psi. This has worked in other vehicles. Jeff > I have a 3 month old RAV 4 limited. Within 2 weeks of > purchase the low pressure indicator light popped on. I took it to [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > thanks > Dennis Did you check the spare? My SO had the light come on for Her RAV4 and the problem was the spare. Once it was inflated to the proper pressure, the light went off. Ed I have inflated the tires to 35ppi and carefully inspected the spare pressure. Neither ploy works. Thanks for the input though. >> I have a 3 month old RAV 4 limited. Within 2 weeks of >> purchase the low pressure indicator light popped on. I took it to [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > >Ed > I have a 3 month old RAV 4 limited. Within 2 weeks of > purchase the low pressure indicator light popped on. I took it to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > thanks > Dennis Wow, When the service department said "due to the spare" do they mean that low air pressure in the spare tire is tripping the light? Dan >> I have a 3 month old RAV 4 limited. Within 2 weeks of >> purchase the low pressure indicator light popped on. I took it to [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Dan Yup. SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) >>> I have a 3 month old RAV 4 limited. Within 2 weeks of >>> purchase the low pressure indicator light popped on. I took it to [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >> > Yup. Ah, so the OP is looking at the wrong tire... > >>> I have a 3 month old RAV 4 limited. Within 2 weeks of > >>> purchase the low pressure indicator light popped on. I took it to [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > Ah, so the OP is looking at the wrong tire... On my 2007 Camry Owners Manual, there's a reset switch for the TPMS under the glove box. I have a compact spare and it is not equipped with the TPS. >> >>> I have a 3 month old RAV 4 limited. Within 2 weeks of >> >>> purchase the low pressure indicator light popped on. I took it to [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > under the glove box. I have a compact spare and it is not equipped > with the TPS. I believe that vehicles with full-size spares will have a tire pressure sensor in the spare, while those with temporary spares will not, due to the different tire pressure required in a compact spare. SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) On Nov 21, 11:38 pm, "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote: > >> >>> I have a 3 month old RAV 4 limited. Within 2 weeks of > >> >>> purchase the low pressure indicator light popped on. I took it to [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > Ray O > (correct punctuation to reply) Thanks Ray I understand now, I was reading my manual yesterday and it also says TPMS equipped tires should not use those tire sealants like fix-a-flat as they would damage the sensors. Anyway, I doubt if the OP used them on a new tire most especially a spare tire. Maybe the spare tire is air filled and the rest are nitrogen filled =) <snipped> >> >> Ah, so the OP is looking at the wrong tire... >> [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > used them on a new tire most especially a spare tire. Maybe the spare > tire is air filled and the rest are nitrogen filled =) Pressure is pressure, so that should not be the cause of the OP's problem. It is possible that someone forgot to check the pressure in the spare, or the pressure in the spare was too high. SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) I'm not very knowledgeable on how the TPMS works, does it compare the pressure on each tire? Should the OP inflate the spare tires higher than the other tires? The tires will have pressure increase as it is being driven while the spare tire would remain the same. I imagine the TPMS will detect the pressure of the 4 tires is higher than the spare tire. > Pressure is pressure, so that should not be the cause of the OP's problem. > It is possible that someone forgot to check the pressure in the spare, or [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Ray O > (correct punctuation to reply) > I'm not very knowledgeable on how the TPMS works, does it compare the > pressure on each tire? Should the OP inflate the spare tires higher [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >> Ray O >> (correct punctuation to reply) Tire pressure monitoring systems came out after I left the car business, but there are 2 basic types of systems. The indirect type uses the ABS speed sensors to detect individual wheel rotation speed. If a tire is grossly under-inflated, then the wheel with the low tire will turn at a different speed, and the speed differential triggers a warning light. The advantage to this system is that no extra hardware is required on the wheels or tires and it is relatively inexpensive to implement. The disadvantage is that it is not very accurate and requires a pretty big difference in tire pressure to trigger the warning, and if all 4 tires are equally low, then no warning light comes on. The direct type uses an actual sensor mounted under the valve stem and uses a radio signal when pressure drops below the set threshold. The advantage is that this system is more accurate and gives earlier warning. The disadvantage is that they require special valve stems and need to be programmed. My understanding is that TPMS systems give a warning if tire pressure drops below a certain threshold, so heating from driving should not be a problem. SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) > Tire pressure monitoring systems came out after I left the car > business, but there are 2 basic types of systems. The indirect type [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > warning, and if all 4 tires are equally low, then no warning light > comes on. In practice though, the ABS-based system actually works fairly well from what I've seen. It's unusual for all four tires (or even both on the same axle) to be low enough at the same time, sufficient to pose a safety hazard. And nobody is going to benefit from any system if they ignore the light. How many people ignore their Check Engine light? > The direct type uses an actual sensor mounted under the valve stem and > uses a radio signal when pressure drops below the set threshold. The > advantage is that this system is more accurate and gives earlier > warning. The disadvantage is that they require special valve stems > and need to be programmed. Plus they severely limit your choice of wheels, which is a major disadvantage in the snow belt. SignatureTegger > > Tire pressure monitoring systems came out after I left the car > > business, but there are 2 basic types of systems. The indirect type [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > -- > Tegger Thanks for the inputs, this means the OPs RAV4 doesn't have ABS system and uses a radio signal on the valve stem. The ABS would not be able to monitor the spares pressure. And the fact that he mentioned it was lit up in the morning before running the tires. ABS system wold not detect flat tires when the wheels are not in motion. How will I know what TPMS technology is on my 2007 Camry 4cyl? I dont want to mess up the sensors mounted on the valve stem if in case I use fix-a-flat. If my car was equipped with ABS monitoring TPMS then I would not worry. Another question is, the tire pressure on the mounted wheels is dependent on how much weights the car carries right. There's no weight on the spare tire, would the sensor be triggered if the pressure was measure at no load and then carries 5 passengers plus cargo afterwards, this is again if the system *compares* pressure on all tires including the spare. Or is it only the ABS system that compares each tire. > Thanks for the inputs, this means the OPs RAV4 doesn't have ABS > system and uses a radio signal on the valve stem. The ABS would not be > able to monitor the spares pressure. And the fact that he mentioned it > was lit up in the morning before running the tires. ABS system wold > not detect flat tires when the wheels are not in motion. True enough, but a glance at the tires before you get in the car would reveal any flats or grossly underinflated tires. And the ABS would quickly notify you of your low pressure once you were on the move. As for the spare...Well, I'd rather have to check that manually once in a while rather than have five $300 transponders that may fail one day and which prevent me from using cheap steel wheels for my snows. > How will I know what TPMS technology is on my 2007 Camry 4cyl? I dont > want to mess up the sensors mounted on the valve stem if in case I use > fix-a-flat. If my car was equipped with ABS monitoring TPMS then I > would not worry. Look at the valve stems. If they're metal, you have transponders. If they're rubber, you have the ABS-based system. > Another question is, the tire pressure on the mounted wheels is > dependent on how much weights the car carries right. There's no weight [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > tires including the spare. Or is it only the ABS system that compares > each tire. The weight of the car on the tire has no practical effect on the tire's pressure as read by your tire gauge. SignatureTegger <snipped> >> The direct type uses an actual sensor mounted under the valve stem and >> uses a radio signal when pressure drops below the set threshold. The [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Plus they severely limit your choice of wheels, which is a major > disadvantage in the snow belt. I believe that the sensors will work with any wheel that accepts a conventional valve stem. The pressure sensors look like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyota-TPMS-Tire-Pressure-Wheel-Sensor-TESTED_W0Q QitemZ130175024932QQcmdZViewItem Or with tiny url: http://tinyurl.com/2ma57n SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) > <snipped> >>> The direct type uses an actual sensor mounted under the valve stem [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > I believe that the sensors will work with any wheel that accepts a > conventional valve stem. Maybe so. But... My understanding was that certain valve locations and angles will cause the transponder body to extend below the wheel rim's perimeter. In that case, a tire puncture would lead to transponder destruction. SignatureTegger >> <snipped> >>>> The direct type uses an actual sensor mounted under the valve stem [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > a > tire puncture would lead to transponder destruction. Good point. I have no idea how vulnerable the transponder body would be if the tire is run while flat, but I see your point. I think the problem would be greater during a blowout situation, but the purpose of the transponder is supposed to warn the driver of the presence of a slow leak or low tire pressure, which is a common cause of blowouts. :-) SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) >> My understanding was that certain valve locations and angles will >> cause the >> transponder body to extend below the wheel rim's perimeter. In that >> case, a >> tire puncture would lead to transponder destruction. > Good point. I have no idea how vulnerable the transponder body would > be if the tire is run while flat, Nor do I. > but I see your point. I think the > problem would be greater during a blowout situation, but the purpose > of the transponder is supposed to warn the driver of the presence of a > slow leak or low tire pressure, which is a common cause of blowouts. > :-) A common cause, but by no means the only one. I've had two unaccountable sudden blowouts. And I do not allow my tires to get low on air. And in any case, even if I can use cheap steel wheels for winter, they're not cheap any more if I have to put transponders in each wheel... SignatureTegger >>> My understanding was that certain valve locations and angles will >>> cause the [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > And in any case, even if I can use cheap steel wheels for winter, they're > not cheap any more if I have to put transponders in each wheel... Hmmm, I wonder if the TPMS would detect the absence of transponders - that is, if you use cheap steel wheels without transponders, would the TPMS miss the transponders? For those who actually monitor tire pressure, the transponders are more of a redundancy than a necessity. SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) >> A common cause, but by no means the only one. I've had two >> unaccountable sudden blowouts. And I do not allow my tires to get low >> on air. Oh, and that's two unaccountable blowouts in 30 years of driving, so it's not like it's an everyday occurrence... >> And in any case, even if I can use cheap steel wheels for winter, >> they're not cheap any more if I have to put transponders in each [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > TPMS miss the transponders? For those who actually monitor tire > pressure, the transponders are more of a redundancy than a necessity. My father-in-law has a Chrysler 300M. Some time after he bought it, he decided to purchase steel wheels and snow tires. He discovered that it would be necessary to have transponders installed in the steel wheels, as the TPMS would complain loudly and brightly in the absence of transponders. The stock transponders, however, would not have fitted properly in the steel wheels. I don't know what he's doing now, but for the longest time he simply parked the 300M for the winter and drove his older Lincoln in the winter. The Lincoln has no TPMS. I still think transponders are overly expensive overkill and not worth the price. The ABS-based system is far cheaper, far more flexible, and almost as effective. Certainly far more effective than no monitoring at all, and not much less effective than the transponder system. SignatureTegger >>> A common cause, but by no means the only one. I've had two >>> unaccountable sudden blowouts. And I do not allow my tires to get low >>> on air. > > Oh, and that's two unaccountable blowouts in 30 years of driving, so it's > not like it's an everyday occurrence... I've never had a blowout, hope I never do! >>> And in any case, even if I can use cheap steel wheels for winter, >>> they're not cheap any more if I have to put transponders in each [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > the 300M for the winter and drove his older Lincoln in the winter. The > Lincoln has no TPMS. Hmmm, I wonder if you could just put the 4 stock wheels in the trunk and back seat? ;-) > I still think transponders are overly expensive overkill and not worth the > price. The ABS-based system is far cheaper, far more flexible, and almost > as effective. Certainly far more effective than no monitoring at all, and > not much less effective than the transponder system. I agree! SignatureRay O (correct punctuation to reply) |
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