Jimbo23

I recently bought a CPO SC430. Been enjoying it since. Came from an 95 sc400 and rx300.

A light on the dash came up this morning and looks to be the Tire pressure monitor light right above the MAINT REQ light. I checked all four tires and they look right to me. Is it a matter of adding some air to get it back to normal?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

Bon

The TPM's need 33 psi +/- to keep the light off. Tire pressure too low or too high will turn on the light. There is a switch on the very far right side of your glove box (its outside of the box but covered by the glove box lid) that switches between two different sets of TPM's in case you have summer/winter tires. If this switch gets changed to the wrong setting you'll also get a TPM Maint. Reqd. light. There are other causes for the light but check the above first.

antigeek

If I recall correctly, the TPMs adjust to higher pressures when raised.
For example, I set my tires to 36psi, so when they drop to 32-33, the low pressure light will go on.

You can have the TPMs reset by the dealer -- they have a magnetic (?) tool they pass by them. Set the air pressure where you want it, then have them reset them.

A search on this forum will confirm or call BS on my post.

Habious

Also, keep in mind that the sensors have batteries in them...batteries that have a finite lifespan. They're usually good for 3-4 years.

You'll got the TPMS light if the system can't "hear" one or more of the sensors because it either failed or the battery died.

Mine's a 2003 and, over the course of the last year, each sensor has died on me. The batteries are not replaceable in the sensors. You have to buy a new sensor, have it installed, and have the system programmed to recognize the new sensor. It's a bit of a PITA, especially when they fail one at a time (and expensive, if not covered under warranty).

Jimbo23

I will adjust the pressure later and see if it corrects the issue. If not, I may bring it into the dealer. BTW it is an 06 so hopefully its not the battery issue that I've been reading about.

Jimbo23

It is CPO, so it should be covered under warranty?

Habious

If it's an 06 that was made in late 05, you're looking at batteries that are 4ish years old. A dead sensor battery is not out of the rhelm of possibilities.

Habious

I can confirm that it's covered 100% by CPO...new sensor, labor to install, programming...the whole process is covered by CPO.

One thing I will tell you, once one fails, it's a darn good bet the rest are going to fail soon after. However, they will NOT replace all of them under CPO UNTIL they fail. They can't replace a "good" part, even if everyone in the room knows it's going to die in the next 90 days.

I tried to talk my dealer into this when the 3rd sensor died. There was one left...and we all knew is was only a matter of (a little) time before the 4th one died...but they wouldn't replace the last two. I had to wait until it actually died to get it replaced. I was actually happy when it did!

So, once the sensor batteries start to die, expect to make 4 trips to the dealership...or fork over the money for 3 new sensors yourself and have it all done at once.

TooCoolSC

I can vouch for this. I have an '02 and one went out a couple of months ago. Just the TPMS light came on....not the "maintenance required" light.

Sure enough, it was a battery on the left front and I had it fixed. Not two weeks later, another one went out. Since mine wasn't covered by warranty, I had the other 3 all replaced at the same time. I think they were close to $200 a piece to correct, so it's not a "little" problem if you are paying for it yourself.

If the batteries are the problem and you don't want to mess with them, you can simply unplug the TPM system and it will take care of your problem. There's a great thread here on CL telling you how to do it.

But since the CPO will likely fix it, might as well get your money's worth.

Harold57

Yes, the warranty will cover it. I have an '02 and it went out in '06 and was done at no cost to me by the dealer.

BTW, congratulations on the new SC430. You'll find that most owners continue loving the car even after owning it for several years. (I still do.)

Tensi

Disconnect the tpms!!!

tromly

+1, even though my SC is out of warranty, I don't mind paying for repairs, I just love my car !!

dprocyk

Pretty well impossible to judge tire pressure issues by simply looking at the tires.......best to get a simple tire guage.

Simply bring all tires to the recommended pressure (see label on inside of post for drivers door), and the display light will go out automatically.

dag8882

Jimbo23,
congrats on the new purchase. honestly, ur going to luv this car. I can agree with every1 else posts that its usually a matter of adding some air to get it back to normal and the light will go off but as for the MAINT REQ although ive never seen that light come on in the dash of my SC, i do own a Toyota tundra in which that same light will appear on only after prolonging an oil change and usually turns off after the guys @ jiffy lube change the oil and reset the MAINT REQ light. maybe i wrong but that my two cents, hopefully that ll help.

Jimbo23

Thanks everyone for the reply.

Strangely enough, the light went away when I got in my car later in the afternoon. It appeared again the next morning and went away later in the day. I'm guessing it has to do with the temperature changes and changes in pressure. I live is so cal and the temperature may fluctuate about 10 degrees from mid to high 60s in the AM to around 70s in the PM. The light has not come on again since the first two days. I will have it inspected when I visit the dealership.

As for the MAINT REQD light being on, it has been a little over 5k miles since my last service so this is expected. A simple reset is needed but I left it there so as to remind me to call for service.