Rotary_Italia

Hi all,
i would know how tire pressure control works in pratical terms. Is there a "check pressure" button? where pressure infos are displayed? is there any buzz/led which alerts low pressure?
and last, are the stock Potenza 040 tires "run flat"?

Thanks,

*R_I*

RobDickinson

If your based in Italy dont worry, its only a US thing, Europe wont get the tyre pressue monitor system.

It works by lighting a dashboard light (from sensors in each wheel, through a central control unit).

I believe the 040's arnt run flat?

8_wannabe

Correct. It doesn't tell you tire pressure, just gives you a warning light if one or more tires are too low.

Rotary_Italia

RobDickinson, you're right, i am from Italy.
Damn, one of the coolest and useful things in the automotive world won't be imported for us... always the same old story.... i can not imagine why add this option only in some markets... maybe they believe here in Europe tires are indestructible:D

*R_I*

RomanoM

No, in the USA it's becoming the law. By 2006 all cars sold here must have some sort of tire pressure monitor. 10% of the car for 2004.

OT - are you Italian born, because your grammar is very American. My parents are Italian and though I speak Italian ,my style and grammar is very American. Most of my relatives that speak English still talk/write in an Italian style and grammar.

RobDickinson

As said, its because its becoming LAW in the US to have them fitted. Just as its gona be LAW in Europe that cars have to meet Euro stage 4 emmisions in 2005 etc.

The reason why its becoming law in US I think is because there to lazy to check tyre presure...

Personaly I think I would have liked the system too. will let you know if the tyre is going down due to a slow puncture whilst on a motorway etc. meybee it can be retro fitted).

kidmarc

Rotary_Italia,

Not to fret... You can buy an aftermarket system that does the same.

Go to SmarTire

Peace
marcus

Aratinga

The tire pressure warning light will go on when tire pressure is too high, as well as too low. Ask me how I know.

When I drove mine home from the dealership, I saw this odd indicator light in the center of the left-hand instrument pod. It was an exclamation point (!) in the middle of some weird symbol. I couldn't figure out what it was trying to tell me, so as soon as I got home (a 15-mile drive at freeway speeds) I looked it up in the owner's manual.

"Tire pressure warning light"?? (The weird symbol is supposed to look like the cross-section of a tire.) I immediately checked the tire pressures and found EVERY TIRE was inflated to 60 psi! Recommended pressure is 32 psi. So much for that "dealer checklist" they gave me where they're supposed to make sure fluid levels, tire pressures, etc. are correct.

Apparently the tires are deliberately overinflated for shipment on the boat over here. The dealers are supposed to return the pressures to normal as part of their new car prep. So word of advice to y'all when you pick up your new RX-8... bring your tire pressure gauge with you and check 'em before you drive off!