[Black Smoke Trail]

The previous owner had the tire pressure set at 37 psi. The tires are pretty worn in the middle of the tread but plenty on the outside edges. I am going to install new tires soon but I rotated the tires to get that last bit of milage out of them and set the tire pressure to 26 psi to minimize tread wear in the middle until I install the new tires.

Thinking about a set of Hankook Optimo H724 Tire P205/60R15's from Wally World. I have a set of those on our Honda Element and they have been fantastic tires.

Yeah, I am being Mr. El Cheapo/Mr. Thrifty to get the most out of the tires. :sifone:

Does anyone know what the minimum tire pressure value is for the TPMS system that will not cause the warning light to illuminate? Thanks!

 

[Black Smoke Trail]

I reset the tire pressure to 32 psi alround and took the car for a spin. After about an 1/8 of a mile the TPMS light went out. I will try gradually lowering the pressure 1 psi at a time and see what I can get away with. I suspect not much more than a psi or 2 from what it is now.

 

[Black Smoke Trail]

I had to replace the original Continental tires after 36,000 miles. Bought Firestone touring tires (buy3 1free) and they are great. Every fall when the temp drops, the TPMS light comes on. I inflate to 40psi and it lasts a year. Some recommend 38psi. The tires say 32psi, but I have to fill them often at this level. Make sure to put air in the spare as it also has TPMS. The light goes out after a short drive and the TPMS resets.

If you haven't already, try filling your tires with nitrogen. Nitrogen is a larger molecule and does not leak down through the tire casing nearly as fast as atmospheric air. As a rule, you loose approximately 1 psi of air pressure in a tire per month. You can achieve the same with regular air but must check your tire pressure much more often as compare to nitrogen.

In a past life as a military aviator & test pilot I learned this and why nitrogen is use in aircraft tires in addition to the slower leak down rate, nitrogen gets dried (humidity removed) and reduces the possibility of moisture (read ice at altitudes above freezing) building up inside the tire.

I get the same TPMS lights on all of our vehicles every Fall/Winter after the temperatures drop noticably. A combination of Boyles and Charles law.

Try the nitro, you may find you like it better.

 

[Black Smoke Trail]

I personally go for checking the tire pressure monthly and call it good.

I never said filling tires with nitrogen was the ultimate panecea or the best value. It depends upon the application and what the user is looking for.

If the tire is properly purged first and then filled with nitrogen, it will loose pressure at approximately 1/3 the rate a tire filled with air will.

Why Inflating Tires With Nitrogen Makes Sense

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=nitrogen-filled-tires-fuel-efficiency

The Truth About Filling Your Tires with Nitrogen | The Truth About Cars

Filling your car's tires with nitrogen not worth the added cost | Fox Business

Whether the extra cost is worth it is up to the individual. Its not worth it to me when I can just check it periodically.

My reply to Gapperguy about nitrogen was aimed primarily as a possible option at the hassle he was having maintaining tire pressure between what the recommended pressure called for vs. the pressure that kept the TMPS happy.