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TPM variation +/- # psi?

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Old Aug 22, 2013 | 12:55 PM
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Default TPM variation +/- # psi?

My TPM on my right rear wheel has been at 27-31psi b/w start up and highway

Others are at 30-32 solid

I have added air to cold tire to get it to 30 psi cold; but it drops.

Note, I did have a severe sudden stop recently where all four tires skidded on concrete; not sure if tread has something lodged in it OR if the TPM sensor is acting up.

Its a new tire less than 12 mos old with 7K miles on it.
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Old Aug 22, 2013 | 02:12 PM
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Mine are about 2 psi either way. If you really want to know the pressure, check it with a gauge.

If you want to know if they are flat or not, the TPMS is good enough.
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Old Aug 22, 2013 | 03:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Kevin_NYC
My TPM on my right rear wheel has been at 27-31psi b/w start up and highway

Others are at 30-32 solid

I have added air to cold tire to get it to 30 psi cold; but it drops.

Note, I did have a severe sudden stop recently where all four tires skidded on concrete; not sure if tread has something lodged in it OR if the TPM sensor is acting up.

Its a new tire less than 12 mos old with 7K miles on it.

Check the HEX nut on your valve you might be leaking air from it or you have a leak somewhere else. You should not be losing that much air pressure.
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Old Aug 22, 2013 | 10:27 PM
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Originally Posted by TitanTPMS
Check the HEX nut on your valve you might be leaking air from it or you have a leak somewhere else. You should not be losing that much air pressure.


Be careful with the nut, it's only supposed to be at 61 INCH-pounds, my torque wrench is almost heavy enough to do that by itself.

Or the valve core could be loose.
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Old Aug 22, 2013 | 10:39 PM
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Mine are always off +- 3 to 5 lbs.
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 06:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Kevin_NYC
My TPM on my right rear wheel has been at 27-31psi b/w start up and highway

Others are at 30-32 solid

I have added air to cold tire to get it to 30 psi cold; but it drops.

Its a new tire less than 12 mos old with 7K miles on it.
You must have a leak somewhere. I somehow picked up a drill bit in one of my a few years ago, I could not find it, but the dealer did. It was acting the exact same way you describe yours as acting.

Since daily driving C6's since 2008, I only have to add/remove air to my tires every 3 - 4 months, and then only a pound or so, due to outside air temperature changes.
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 07:43 AM
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Default you may have a leak

spray the wheel and tire with soapy water and check for bubbles. check the valve and bead areas well.
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 08:18 AM
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It's this about TPMS variation or a real air leak?
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Tonylmiller
It's this about TPMS variation or a real air leak?
Needs clarification. TPMS is for detecting a change in tire pressures to let the driver know that there is a problem...it is not for accurately inflating the tires. A good quality handheld gauge is the proper tool for this. Also, it is best not to assume that the positions of the TPMS sensors are correct unless you have checked them. The system may say that the left rear is low, but check it with a gauge and be sure that it is telling you the correct tire...it may be that a different one is actually the low one.
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Tonylmiller
It's this about TPMS variation or a real air leak?
Real air leak

I have filled the tire last 3 weeks in row and fluctuates by +/-4psi
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Kevin_NYC
Real air leak

I have filled the tire last 3 weeks in row and fluctuates by +/-4psi
How does a leak fluctuate up? It should just go down. Have you used a good handheld gauge?
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 05:36 PM
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sounds like a leak, anyway air pressure can fluctuate form one side to the other 3-4 psi just from being in the sun on a hot day! yea these sensors are purely for safety and are really a close approx., that's all.
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 06:24 PM
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Default TPMS variations

Have had TMPS on 3 cars & a motorcycle. The TMPS in each usually matches a reasonably accurate gauge. If you can, try to find a place that will inflate your tires with nitrogen. It does not leak out as quickly as normal air from a compressor. Check pressure manually at least weekly, but with nitrogen, you will find tires don't go down much over several months, unless you have a leak. Also, stay away from long chucks- they can break or damage TPMS valves.
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 10:07 PM
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IMO the monitors are not worth the trouble they cause, at least on my car. Constantly get Service Tire Monitor warnings, especially RF XXX, but the dealer always tell me that they "cannot duplicate the problem" when I ask them to replace the unit, which probably has a weak battery. Have NEVER had this problem with my 07 Mazdaspeed6 or my GMC Acadia. Just seeing that message and the flat tire icon pisses me off. Is there a way to disable this "feature" without throwing a code?
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Old Aug 24, 2013 | 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by KayJay
IMO the monitors are not worth the trouble they cause, at least on my car. Constantly get Service Tire Monitor warnings, especially RF XXX, but the dealer always tell me that they "cannot duplicate the problem" when I ask them to replace the unit, which probably has a weak battery. Have NEVER had this problem with my 07 Mazdaspeed6 or my GMC Acadia. Just seeing that message and the flat tire icon pisses me off. Is there a way to disable this "feature" without throwing a code?
Part of the rule requiring TPMS is that the system is not easy to disable.
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Old Aug 24, 2013 | 12:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Kevin_NYC
My TPM on my right rear wheel has been at 27-31psi b/w start up and highway

Others are at 30-32 solid

I have added air to cold tire to get it to 30 psi cold; but it drops.

Note, I did have a severe sudden stop recently where all four tires skidded on concrete; not sure if tread has something lodged in it OR if the TPM sensor is acting up.

Its a new tire less than 12 mos old with 7K miles on it.
My TPM are within 1psi of an accurate gauge...cold or warm.
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Old Aug 24, 2013 | 03:00 PM
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Mine are off by 2 PSI!
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Old Aug 24, 2013 | 03:50 PM
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mine are also within 1 psi always
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Old Aug 24, 2013 | 06:05 PM
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Originally Posted by KayJay
IMO the monitors are not worth the trouble they cause, at least on my car. Constantly get Service Tire Monitor warnings, especially RF XXX, but the dealer always tell me that they "cannot duplicate the problem" when I ask them to replace the unit, which probably has a weak battery. Have NEVER had this problem with my 07 Mazdaspeed6 or my GMC Acadia. Just seeing that message and the flat tire icon pisses me off. Is there a way to disable this "feature" without throwing a code?
If your car is under warranty, drive it to the dealer while the message is displayed; don't shut off until they see it. Or use you cellphone to take a picture.

If not under warranty, buy a new sensor from one of the dealers here, go to a good tire shop and have it switched out.

If it makes you feel better, we have 170,000 miles on 3 Corvettes (not all at once!) and have only gotten two warnings. Both were correct.
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Old Aug 24, 2013 | 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by 1bdvet
Mine are off by 2 PSI!
Mine are also off by 2 PSI
They read 2 PSI low all the time compared to the actual tire pressure set with any of my tire gauges.

Also, I have 2 sets of wheels and tires and the PSI is always 2 PSI low with either set.
The variation most experience has to do with the system and not the TPMS valve stems.

Since I've bought the car in March of 09, I've only had to adjust/add air every Spring.
OP definitely has a leak if it is constantly losing pressure.
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