How Test Tire Pressure Monitors?

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Apr 30, 2011 | 03:16 PM

RhoXS

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Joined: Sep 2002

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From: Fl

How Test Tire Pressure Monitors?

I just replaced the tires on my 2009 RX350. I want to verify the tire pressure monitoring system is working properly.

If I am running the engine and slowly let air out of one of the tires, will the dash light illuminate when the low pressure setpoint is reached?

Will the light clear when I re-pressurize the tire to its proper pressure?

I recently had an experience with my BMW where I damaged a tire due to low pressure and no warning so I want to very the Lexus system works. My BMW is a very light roadster with relatively large but very low profile tires. A tire with low pressure is not evident from adverse handling characteristics if just doing local low speed driving.

Apr 30, 2011 | 04:52 PM

RX330inFL

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From: FL

Take 10 lbs of air out of one of your tires. Then drive slowly around your neighborhood as best possible. Should be all that is needed. May take that needed tire rotation before picking up the difference. Definitely needed to do it that way on the earlier TPMS.

Apr 30, 2011 | 09:37 PM

jgr7

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From: Nampa, Idaho

The 09 TPM will throw a light when it gets to the low set point. filling back up will turn it off. There is not a specific way to tell which tire has set the light. I know that when I have gone to an area with very low temps at night I have had a TPM light come on and go off after the temp came up.
Jeff