I had to calibrate my TPMS a few times over the past two weeks, after receiving warning for low pressure (finally it was a nail). Each time I run the calibration as described in the manual, but never got the dots turn green even after driving for more than half an hour during the same engine run cycle, as described in the manual. At restart the dots turn green, but the manual says they will, even if calibration is not complete..So my question is, to anyone who has done the calibration before, how long does it take to complete the calibration? Have you seen the dots turn green before switching off the engine?
TPMS Calibration
kospa60
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I had to calibrate my TPMS a few times over the past two weeks, after receiving warning for low pressure (finally it was a nail). Each time I run the calibration as described in the manual, but never got the dots turn green even after driving for more than half an hour during the same engine run cycle, as described in the manual. At restart the dots turn green, but the manual says they will, even if calibration is not complete..So my question is, to anyone who has done the calibration before, how long does it take to complete the calibration? Have you seen the dots turn green before switching off the engine?
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1,870 Posts
Mine is an xc90 SPA; but in case the system behaves identically...
Had all 4 tires trigger low tire pressure. I checked all 4 were about 2 psi below the recommended 38psi pressure. I kept the engine running while running a compressor that is powered from the DC socket in the center console to inflate the 4 tires. I inflated it a little over the recommended pressure (maybe 1-2 psi). After finishing, I completed the calibration button presses and returned the vehicle to the garage. Seemed to work ok the day after; I don't think I checked in between. I didn't drive it other than the few meters it took to get (in reverse) from the driveway to the garage. I don't think that small amount of driving would have been sufficient if any kind of rolling data was needed for the process.
Had all 4 tires trigger low tire pressure. I checked all 4 were about 2 psi below the recommended 38psi pressure. I kept the engine running while running a compressor that is powered from the DC socket in the center console to inflate the 4 tires. I inflated it a little over the recommended pressure (maybe 1-2 psi). After finishing, I completed the calibration button presses and returned the vehicle to the garage. Seemed to work ok the day after; I don't think I checked in between. I didn't drive it other than the few meters it took to get (in reverse) from the driveway to the garage. I don't think that small amount of driving would have been sufficient if any kind of rolling data was needed for the process.
Driving in Delaware this weekend I got a low pressure TPMS warning. It was 97 degrees F outside. I pulled over and checked my tire pressures. All 4 tires read 42PSI on my tire gauge. I continued on my trip of about 120 miles. The next morning, after the tires cooled, I checked pressures and they were 36PSI all around. The warning light was still on when I started the car so I recalibrated and all is well, though I'm thinking of filling the tires with nitrogen.
PS. I just returned to Chicago yesterday, driving 698 miles straight through (from DC) without incident (and averaging 33mpg).
PS. I just returned to Chicago yesterday, driving 698 miles straight through (from DC) without incident (and averaging 33mpg).
Got the low tire pressure alert yesterday, and I think it was temperature related. It was 95°F and I had been driving at highway speed for a couple of hours. I pulled over and checked the tires but they were all OK. Next morning they were still OK so I recalibrated and got rid of the alert.
ETA: I should have added that the calibration process took about five minutes at highway speed.
ETA: I should have added that the calibration process took about five minutes at highway speed.
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8,737 Posts
I once got tire pressure warning. Pumped up to 38psi, started re-calibration. After driving on city streets for about 10 minutes it completed.
Once weather cools down, first thing is to check air pressure, as it seems quite sensitive with the low profile tires now. Pump up a little higher and better prepared for lower temperature ahead.
Once weather cools down, first thing is to check air pressure, as it seems quite sensitive with the low profile tires now. Pump up a little higher and better prepared for lower temperature ahead.
Had low tire pressure warning earlier this week. Found (1) tire about 8 lbs low. Will have it checked for a nail, etc if it happens again. The TPMS calibration never completed, the light just kept going around in a circle (was about 10 minutes). Finally reached my destination & shut the vehicle. When I restarted it about 2 hours later, the warning light & message were gone & everything seemed fine but I'm not sure if the calibration was properly completed. Intend to ask at the dealership when I go in for service or if I need to get tire fixed or replaced (have wheel & tire coverage).
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Because it is not direct pressure measurement. It monitors the spinning of each wheels and see if they are uniform. More spinning is helpful for more accurate result.
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Looks like user error to me. All you do is press a button and go for a 10 - 15min drive. Done.
Hmmm, not so easy.... The manual says you need road driving. City driving is OK? Does it mean a longer time? How much? Why the system does not warn you when it's ready, or if has not completed?
There's room for improvement here ...
I absolutely agree, this is simply an interface problem. If there system can detect a change from one state to another, a simple confirmation or NON-confirmation window can be shown on the Sensus screen.
Coincidentally, I had performed the Calibration process the day before this post appeared...after having one of their techs refill my tires at America's Tire in the morning, I drove about 18 miles on the highway and the TPMS screen was on with the "in process" circle going the entire trip, never to complete, even after driving the required 22mph. The manual even states "The system will not provide any other confirmation that calibration has been completed." which is ridiculous! So there can be a false status of accurate tire pressure after the vehicle is powered off. I have a decent tire gauge and therefore know the tires are at the correct pressure.
Below is the last step in the calibration process from the Owner's Manual:
8. Run the car until calibration is complete.
Calibration is done when the vehicle is driving
at a speed above 35 km/h (22 mph).
> When enough data has been collected for
the system to detect low tire pressure, the
color of the tire symbols in the center display
will change from gray to green. The
system will not provide any other confirmation
that calibration has been completed.
If the car's ignition is switched off before
calibration is complete, the tires in the
center display change color from gray to
green upon next start-up, even if calibration
is not complete. Perform the calibration
again and allow it to complete within
the same operating cycle to ensure that
the calibration is carried out correctly.
If start-up of calibration fails, the following
message appears: Calibration
unsuccessful. Try again..
Calibration is done when the vehicle is driving
at a speed above 35 km/h (22 mph).
> When enough data has been collected for
the system to detect low tire pressure, the
color of the tire symbols in the center display
will change from gray to green. The
system will not provide any other confirmation
that calibration has been completed.
If the car's ignition is switched off before
calibration is complete, the tires in the
center display change color from gray to
green upon next start-up, even if calibration
is not complete. Perform the calibration
again and allow it to complete within
the same operating cycle to ensure that
the calibration is carried out correctly.
If start-up of calibration fails, the following
message appears: Calibration
unsuccessful. Try again..
#firstworldproblems
Shout when substantial things malfunction.
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@lamarguy, it seems you are one of the designers of that poor user interface (or a close relative, perhaps?
)@VeexCee explains it very well, and by reading the user manual you can realize that if the system calibration does not run to completion, there is no warning. The icons turn green as if everything were correct, but you are not calibrated and you don't know. To me, this complies with the definition of a flaw.
... which is explained in the manual.
... The proper method is simply to start calibration and then drive until the wheel icons turn green. Problem solved. The process takes between five and ten minutes in my experience, so not a big deal. I don't consider that an onerous chore for the benefit of not having those old TPMS devices installed in the tires.
OMG, guys!! Do you work for Volvo or what? Can you seriously say that this is OK because it is in the manual, and/or there are worse things out there?
Nope, we're just normal users with normal expectations.
I've calibrated once (after swapping 22" shoes) and it worked fine. I started calibration and when for a ~10 minute highway drive (with the calibration screen visible). It turned green before I arrived.
Does that make me a super genius or someone who can press a button and go for a drive? You decide. :beer:
If you read my post, what I say is that for city driving, you cannot rely on the calibration. I know that with more than 15 min of highway ahead it works. But there are people who do not drive by a highway daily, perhaps you know.
Anyhow, the issue is closed for me. Thanks for your lessons, I appreciate.
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