Was out driving today and the tyre pressure monitor went off. Pulled in and checked and all 4 tyres looked good still. Reset the monitor and went on a bit, stopped after a short while to double check the tyres, still no visual difference and the monitor didn't go off again. Went on my way and made it back home without further incidents. Now the question is... am i going to go out tomorrow to a flat, or could it be that the tyres just need a top-up (all 4 tyres were new on in november and I haven't checked the pressures since then - me bad i know!) I'm hoping they just need a top-up. Anyone else had similar mis-readings or am I clutching at straws?

Might be a glitch; but then it might not. Best to get your tyre pressure gauge on them.

TPM works with the ABS sensors detecting a difference in rolling radius between tyres on the same axle, therefore gradual, equal pressure loss of all tyres will not set it off; pressure loss from one tyre will.

like poster above mentions, over time of going over bumps and speed ramps etc your tyres loose pressure, and as some loose more pressure to others they will have different rolling circumferences, radius's etc and this then makes the tpm set off the alarm. just check the pressure and when happy press the button in to reset to new tyre settings.

A tyre can be seriously under-inflated and still "look good". So you can damage them without realizing it. As advised by everyone, check them with gauge, then you will know they ARE good. Tyre presure is best checked before you start driving, as driving warms them up and increases the indicated pressure.

Your TPMS is trying to alert you to a problem - listen to it and it may save you money (or even a crash). And while I'm in lecture mode, when was the last time you checked your engine oil level and engine coolant ?

{/lecture}

I had a similar problem - the TPM had boinged but a quick visual check didn't indicate any problem. However, the next day, in daylight, I checked the pressures and one tyre was indeed a couple of PSI lower than the others. A more thorough check revealed a screw in the tyre all but sealing the puncture, but not quite.

Good call for the TPM I reckon!

I had a similar problem - the TPM had boinged but a quick visual check didn't indicate any problem. However, the next day, in daylight, I checked the pressures and one tyre was indeed a couple of PSI lower than the others. A more thorough check revealed a screw in the tyre all but sealing the puncture, but not quite.

Good call for the TPM I reckon!

That's what it is there for!!!!

The last, and only, time mine has gone off was a couple of weeks ago within a few miles of having some new tyres fitted. I knew the pressures were correct as I had checked them myself but had forgotten to reset the TPM. The system detected the difference in rolling radius 'cos there was more tread depth on the tyres and went; bong!

I seem to recal a 3psi limit before the system triggers from it's set point.

I'd say you have a nail in a tyre.

cheers for all the answers guys. one more question: does anyone know how long it takes for the TPM to take a reading after setting off, will it do it as soon as travelling or after a few miles? The tyres all still look good, and yes i know that doesn't mean they are, but i'll need to get the car off the drive to get it to the petrol station to pump them up! Can't find my tyre pressure gauge anywhere either - Doh!

Do not rely on the TPM, as I had a two tyre blow out with no indication :(

Do not rely on the TPM, as I had a two tyre blow out with no indication :(

No TPM device would/could tell a blowout was about to happen. That's not their purpose.

No TPM device would/could tell a blowout was about to happen. That's not their purpose.

I would not expect it to warn me, but it would have been nice for it to

have told me it had happened, no?

After the initial bump, I looked at the TPM warning, and nothing, so I continued

driving at a rather brisk pace until I did a sharp left/right, when the tyre came off

the rim.

What good did it do me?

I would say you are a dozy git for not noticing you had a flat tyre but I have had a blowout on the rear tyre of my old motorbike when going down the motorway - didn't notice until I wanted to stop!

I would say you are a dozy git for not noticing you had a flat tyre but I have had a blowout on the rear tyre of my old motorbike when going down the motorway - didn't notice until I wanted to stop!

A dozy git you say? Thanks for the kind and understanding words

I too have had a rear tyre blow out on a motorbike at 90, and knew what was going on

MY point was, I had a double blow out with no indication.

I suspected trouble, but after consulting the TPM, I thought (wrongly) that all was well.

Dozy, me? Think again my adversary

And the prize goes to...

I'd say you have a nail in a tyre.

Found my pressure gauge and it was 10psi this morning! :eek:

Looks like i'll be on the phone to Event Tyres tomorrow morning.

Do not rely on the TPM, as I had a two tyre blow out with no indication :(

Although you would expect the TPM to give you warning that you have had a blowout, I think in reality the TPM only detects pressure loss over a distance of a few miles i.e. when you have a slow puncture or forget to reset it after new tyres being fitted.

The tyres all still look good, and yes i know that doesn't mean they are

Found my pressure gauge and it was 10psi this morning! :eek:

You might want to get your glasses checked too !

Is it possible to retro fit the tyre pressure monitor - either Skoda dealer or other?