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Discovered low pressure (19psi) in my RR tire when I checked it with a gauge. Turned the key to on, and sure enuff, it showed up on the DIC as low pressure. Repaired the tire, blew it up, turned the key on again (without starting car), and the DIC showed 30 psi. Didn't have to hit reset or anything.
So, I figured I'd be pretty clever, and adjust the pressure in the other tires using the DIC while inflating them. Some were showing 29psi and I wanted to get them to 30. No matter how much air I put in the tires, the DIC wouldn't budge off 29. Made me wonder if my sensors were bad or something. So, I just set the pressures with the gauge.
When I drove it this morning, the DIC showed 30 for all 4 tires, and increased as they warmed up. Go figure??? Does the engine have to be running maybe?
You usually have to drive a little before you get an accurate reading after filling the tire. It generally (but sometimes will) will NOT adjust the reading on the DIC after you fill it until you drive. You did the best thing by using a hand sensor to check it.
You usually have to drive a little before you get an accurate reading after filling the tire. It generally (but sometimes will) will NOT adjust the reading on the DIC after you fill it until you drive. You did the best thing by using a hand sensor to check it.
My '01 owners manual says that you check the pressure with the DIC after reaching a speed of 15 MPH or more. I don't think it was intended to be used as a pressure gage for inflating the tires. You should use a good quality hand gage to set the tire pressure. The sensors in the tires are just used for you to "monitor" the pressure as you drive and to alert you when you have a problem.
I don't know what year your car is, but on the late model (2001+) sensors, they update about once a minute when moving, and once an hour when not moving.
If you filled a tire up and got an immediate update without driving, you got lucky, it happens.
But it does not mean your other sensors are bad...it's a common misconception that the sensor readings are shown in real time...they are not. You need to drive and let them update.