2008 MS3 TMPS Defeat with Snows?

[Antonio DiMarco]

So I just finished installing my snows on steelies with no TMPS sensors, fully expecting that I would hear the beep and see the yellow "flat tire" light on the tach dial when I turned the key. Well I know the TMPS was fully functional before I pulled the stock wheel and tires because I had a nail in one tire a week ago that triggered the TMPS.

So all I can think is that Mazda changed software between 2007 and 2008 to defeat TMPS if it doesn't sense all four sensors. This is defintely something that could be done in software (or firmware).

Anyway there was another member on the forum that mentioned the same thing happened to them but they believed it was a malfunction.

I only had the car running for a few minutes so maybe the CPU needs to reset itself and the light will come on. If it doesn't I'm one happy camper since I was obsessing over whether to get TMPS sensors or not for my winters.(nailbyt) For no reason other than to prevent that light from remaining on all winter.

I'll keep you guys updated.

And if this is a known new feature and I'm late to the party apologies for the duplicate post.

 

[stockms3]

I was switching wheels last year sometimes it takes to an hour for it to come on.

 

[oaklandopen]

did you just simply start it up or did you drive too? Probably won't come on till you drive

 

[AllLostThings]

When I put my 17s and snows on it takes about an 8th of a mile and then it chimes in and the light flashes for a short time. It only makes noise and flashes the one time. Every time after that the light will just be on until you switch back.

 

[oaklandopen]

did you just simply start it up or did you drive too? Probably won't come on till you drive

 

[timmyturbo]

after I put my snow tires/wheels on mine did not come on till about 20 minutes of driving. After it did it once, now it comes on within 30seconds of driving. No beeping though.

 

[714ms3]

yah....it takes a while before the light will come on.

 

[fructus]

When I was buying my wheels from tirerack I bought the TPMS specifically for the reason of not wanting to see the yellow light. But whenever the temperaures drop below 50 the light starts flashing, stays on for a while, then goes away, and then the cycle repeats. I have no idea what could be the problem.

 

[oaklandopen]

the TPMS isn't fool proof, it's just another idiot gauge. you still need to regularly check the air pressure in the tires just as you would check the condition of your oil every once in a while.

i forsee TPMS as being a problem in the future to the "average" car owner. they just started being federally mandated this year so every vehicle from now on will be equipped with the system. the problem i think will happen will be the average owner putting too much trust in the system, and never checking the tire pressure. just because the light isn't on they will think that their tires have a perfect amount of air in them.

if the tire pressure drops below normal range for some reason (slow leak or whatnot) it may still not register until AFTER you start driving. adding a drop in temperature to that and you'll lose a good amount of pressure, and mere driving around won't heat the air in the tires enough to raise the psi to normal range

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Ok...

So I just finished installing my snows on steelies with no TMPS sensors, fully expecting that I would hear the beep and see the yellow "flat tire" light on the tach dial when I turned the key. Well I know the TMPS was fully functional before I pulled the stock wheel and tires because I had a nail in one tire a week ago that triggered the TMPS.

So all I can think is that Mazda changed software between 2007 and 2008 to defeat TMPS if it doesn't sense all four sensors. This is defintely something that could be done in software (or firmware).

Anyway there was another member on the forum that mentioned the same thing happened to them but they believed it was a malfunction.

I only had the car running for a few minutes so maybe the CPU needs to reset itself and the light will come on. If it doesn't I'm one happy camper since I was obsessing over whether to get TMPS sensors or not for my winters.(nailbyt) For no reason other than to prevent that light from remaining on all winter.

I'll keep you guys updated.

And if this is a known new feature and I'm late to the party apologies for the duplicate post.

Yeah I only had the car running for a couple of minutes. Only drove it within my driveway into the garage. Started it twice with no light. But it sounds like I need to give it some time to annoy me! I knew it was too good to be true.(bang)

I agree about TMPS being a double-edged sword. Like most technology it's meant to complement good practice. TMPS, Stability Contorl, ABS, Auto-Parking (just stupid IMO). All have to capacity to assist but also to make people who are already lazy about driving even more dangerous to themselves and others.

I know there are many people out there that look at Stability control and ABS as a perfect safety net from certian death, but most of them don't realize that a good set of tires, a well-maintained car and good driving skills are required for those systems to work well.

FYI, Christmans eve certainly brings out the stupid people.(ughdance) We just drove to my parents for Christmas Eve (~100 miles round trip) and there were more than a few idiots on the road. It's warm here in MA but there are areas where the rain is being turned to ice and many of these morons are driving like the road is clean and dry.

I asked Santa for a surface to air missle system that I could install in my MS3 to dispose of the "idiots" (gun)

 

[fructus]

I usually run my psi on the high end and check it regularly, so underinflated tires are not the issue. My TPMS light for whatever reason is striclty ambient temperature dependent.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

The first time it took my car a couple of days, then it came on. Last time I swapped out the winter set it came on right away.

 

[robin2660]

So I just finished installing my snows on steelies with no TMPS sensors, fully expecting that I would hear the beep and see the yellow "flat tire" light on the tach dial when I turned the key. Well I know the TMPS was fully functional before I pulled the stock wheel and tires because I had a nail in one tire a week ago that triggered the TMPS.

So all I can think is that Mazda changed software between 2007 and 2008 to defeat TMPS if it doesn't sense all four sensors. This is defintely something that could be done in software (or firmware).

Anyway there was another member on the forum that mentioned the same thing happened to them but they believed it was a malfunction.

I only had the car running for a few minutes so maybe the CPU needs to reset itself and the light will come on. If it doesn't I'm one happy camper since I was obsessing over whether to get TMPS sensors or not for my winters.(nailbyt) For no reason other than to prevent that light from remaining on all winter.

I'll keep you guys updated.

And if this is a known new feature and I'm late to the party apologies for the duplicate post.

Mine drove for a whole day before it recognized and displayed the dash warning. I was also thinking something was messed up since I recall seeing the light all last winter.

It came on the next day and comes on now every time I drive.

 

[FrequentFlyer]

When I was buying my wheels from tirerack I bought the TPMS specifically for the reason of not wanting to see the yellow light. But whenever the temperaures drop below 50 the light starts flashing, stays on for a while, then goes away, and then the cycle repeats. I have no idea what could be the problem.

That's a alot of money to spend just to not see a small yellow light on the dash for a few months.

 

[fructus]

That's a alot of money to spend just to not see a small yellow light on the dash for a few months.

Not a few months. I run the same set of all-seasons all year long. If I had to do it again I would go without though. The TPMS in this car sucks anyway. My Acura TPMS shows individual pressure for each tire on display. I undestand that this is a different price segment, but if the TPMS doesn't do that, then it's virtually useless in my opinion.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

"Sucks" is pretty strong word.

Not a few months. I run the same set of all-seasons all year long. If I had to do it again I would go without though. The TPMS in this car sucks anyway. My Acura TPMS shows individual pressure for each tire on display. I undestand that this is a different price segment, but if the TPMS doesn't do that, then it's virtually useless in my opinion.

My TMPS has saved me a few times with slow leaks and nails/screws that I would have not noticed otherwise. There is no way you can "see" a difference of 2 psi between tires.

I agree having individual readings is more convenient but knowing that "something" is wrong with a tire makes it worth having it.

 

[60181]

undestand that this is a different price segment, but if the TPMS doesn't do that, then it's virtually useless in my opinion.

I wouldn't call it useless. Even in our Minivan that shows which tire is low, and it has, I get and check them all regardless. So IMO I don't care which tire is low, I'm checking them all anyway.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Well the light finally came on...

So I just finished installing my snows on steelies with no TMPS sensors, fully expecting that I would hear the beep and see the yellow "flat tire" light on the tach dial when I turned the key. Well I know the TMPS was fully functional before I pulled the stock wheel and tires because I had a nail in one tire a week ago that triggered the TMPS.

So all I can think is that Mazda changed software between 2007 and 2008 to defeat TMPS if it doesn't sense all four sensors. This is defintely something that could be done in software (or firmware).

Anyway there was another member on the forum that mentioned the same thing happened to them but they believed it was a malfunction.

I only had the car running for a few minutes so maybe the CPU needs to reset itself and the light will come on. If it doesn't I'm one happy camper since I was obsessing over whether to get TMPS sensors or not for my winters.(nailbyt) For no reason other than to prevent that light from remaining on all winter.

I'll keep you guys updated.

And if this is a known new feature and I'm late to the party apologies for the duplicate post.

So much for my hopes and dreams. The good news is that the car handles pretty well with the Firestone Winterforce snows I installed. Feels like a tank.