MINI2

cathy · Apr 9th, 2002, 09:09 PM

As a driver of a 31 year old Datsun 240 Z I am quite intimidated by all the electronic gizmos on the new cars. If I remove the run-flat tires with sensors will it affect the computer? I once saw a Vette's computer totally shut down when a tire was changed-car had to be towed to dealer to have a code imputed into the computer.

BruceK · Apr 9th, 2002, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cathy
As a driver of a 31 year old Datsun 240 Z I am quite intimidated by all the electronic gizmos on the new cars. If I remove the run-flat tires with sensors will it affect the computer? I once saw a Vette's computer totally shut down when a tire was changed-car had to be towed to dealer to have a code imputed into the computer.

Cathy, you have an old Z-car? You must chat with mr.bill who is also a MINI2 member with a Z-car of similar vintage. And, like you, mr.bill is concerned about all the whiz-bang goodies on cars like the MINI.

But back to your original question. Unlike with some cars, Corvettes for example, MINIs don't use radio pressure monitors placed inside each wheel. Instead, on a MINI, the ABS system checks the rotational speed of each wheel as part of its normal functioning to ensure a wheel is not skidding. A side benefit of this is that if one tire looses air pressure it will rotate at a slightly different rate from the other three. By noticing this small difference, the MINI knows of a low air pressure or flat tire situation.

GTT 280 · Apr 10th, 2002, 07:26 AM

He said that if you fill your tyres with air you have to reset the readings by holding the button for a few seconds under the handbrake. This calibrates the system to the new air pressures in your tyres.

50/50 - who is lying ?

Dom · Apr 10th, 2002, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KAS
He said that if you fill your tyres with air you have to reset the readings by holding the button for a few seconds under the handbrake. This calibrates the system to the new air pressures in your tyres.

50/50 - who is lying ?

It is still computed using the ABS sensors. By inflating a tyre more, it's size is increasing. The ABS sensors will notice that there's something bigger than it used to be and report it. Calibrating the system to the new settings simply tells it that this is the new correct level.

I expect someone can explain it better than me though!

Dom

BrantV · Apr 10th, 2002, 01:23 PM

Very nice. So that's how you can run different pressures in front and rear.

Any pics of this reset button?

GTT 280 · Apr 13th, 2002, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dom

It is still computed using the ABS sensors. By inflating a tyre more, it's size is increasing. The ABS sensors will notice that there's something bigger than it used to be and report it. Calibrating the system to the new settings simply tells it that this is the new correct level.

I expect someone can explain it better than me though!

Dom

But my dealer said you did this when stationary. Then how would the ABS be able to detect the circumference of the wheel if it wasn't spinning.

ad087 · Apr 18th, 2002, 12:51 PM

I don't know about how it can detect tyre diameter but i do know it goes mad if your tyres becomes over inflated. My two front tyres became a little over pressuered due to heat expansion and as a result set off the tyre warning - this scared the bejezzuss out of me as i was comortable cruising at 3000 revs in 5th on a motorway - when i pulled over and checked my tyre pressures with a digital gauge ( i never trust analogue ones) my front two tyres were at 34psi and my back pair were at 28 - this difference meant the system activated.

taffster · May 6th, 2002, 05:00 AM

Hi Guys,

Does this mean that if you've only got the 15" 8 spokes without the run flat tires you still get a tire pressure warning light??

Thanks

Taff

Apial · May 6th, 2002, 05:42 AM

Calibration is only completed once the vehicle has driven a short distance.

15" 8 spokes with normal tyres still get a pressure warning light, even on the base model. It would be a bit of a disaster to discover you had been driving on a flat with no spare and only the repair kit to fix a tyre that had just destroyed its side wall.

You can drive with any size tyre so far as the pressure alarm is concerned.

erazo · May 11th, 2002, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BrantV
Any pics of this reset button?

Page 62 of the USA owners' manual describes the FTM and illustrates the button. You can download the manual in pdf format from the Owners' Lounge.

Apr 9th, 2002, 09:09 PM	#1
cathy MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2002 Local Time: 04:25 AM Posts: 9 Offline	tires and,computers As a driver of a 31 year old Datsun 240 Z I am quite intimidated by all the electronic gizmos on the new cars. If I remove the run-flat tires with sensors will it affect the computer? I once saw a Vette's computer totally shut down when a tire was changed-car had to be towed to dealer to have a code imputed into the computer.

Apr 9th, 2002, 10:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
BruceK Moderator & Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: San Antonio, Texas Local Time: 03:25 AM Posts: 3,759 Offline	Re: tires and,computers Quote: Originally posted by cathy As a driver of a 31 year old Datsun 240 Z I am quite intimidated by all the electronic gizmos on the new cars. If I remove the run-flat tires with sensors will it affect the computer? I once saw a Vette's computer totally shut down when a tire was changed-car had to be towed to dealer to have a code imputed into the computer. Cathy, you have an old Z-car? You must chat with mr.bill who is also a MINI2 member with a Z-car of similar vintage. And, like you, mr.bill is concerned about all the whiz-bang goodies on cars like the MINI. But back to your original question. Unlike with some cars, Corvettes for example, MINIs don't use radio pressure monitors placed inside each wheel. Instead, on a MINI, the ABS system checks the rotational speed of each wheel as part of its normal functioning to ensure a wheel is not skidding. A side benefit of this is that if one tire looses air pressure it will rotate at a slightly different rate from the other three. By noticing this small difference, the MINI knows of a low air pressure or flat tire situation. + 2002 MINI Cooper S - Dark Silver / White roof, Sport, Premium, Lapis blue leather + 1965 Mini Traveller - Tartan Red / White roof, 1275, Cooper S discs, fully restored/renewed

Apr 10th, 2002, 07:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
GTT 280 The Power Cube My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2002 Local Time: 10:25 AM Posts: 2,472 Offline	Not according to my dealer He said that if you fill your tyres with air you have to reset the readings by holding the button for a few seconds under the handbrake. This calibrates the system to the new air pressures in your tyres. 50/50 - who is lying ?

Apr 10th, 2002, 08:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
Dom Test thread infiltrator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Swindon Local Time: 10:25 AM Posts: 8,543 Offline	Re: Not according to my dealer Quote: Originally posted by KAS He said that if you fill your tyres with air you have to reset the readings by holding the button for a few seconds under the handbrake. This calibrates the system to the new air pressures in your tyres. 50/50 - who is lying ? It is still computed using the ABS sensors. By inflating a tyre more, it's size is increasing. The ABS sensors will notice that there's something bigger than it used to be and report it. Calibrating the system to the new settings simply tells it that this is the new correct level. I expect someone can explain it better than me though! Dom

Apr 13th, 2002, 06:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
GTT 280 The Power Cube My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2002 Local Time: 10:25 AM Posts: 2,472 Offline	Surely not Quote: Originally posted by Dom It is still computed using the ABS sensors. By inflating a tyre more, it's size is increasing. The ABS sensors will notice that there's something bigger than it used to be and report it. Calibrating the system to the new settings simply tells it that this is the new correct level. I expect someone can explain it better than me though! Dom But my dealer said you did this when stationary. Then how would the ABS be able to detect the circumference of the wheel if it wasn't spinning.

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Apr 10th, 2002, 01:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
BrantV MINI2 Senior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pasadena, CA Local Time: 01:25 AM Posts: 560 Offline	Very nice. So that's how you can run different pressures in front and rear. Any pics of this reset button?

Apr 18th, 2002, 12:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
ad087 MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2002 Local Time: 09:25 AM Posts: 24 Offline	I don't know about how it can detect tyre diameter but i do know it goes mad if your tyres becomes over inflated. My two front tyres became a little over pressuered due to heat expansion and as a result set off the tyre warning - this scared the bejezzuss out of me as i was comortable cruising at 3000 revs in 5th on a motorway - when i pulled over and checked my tyre pressures with a digital gauge ( i never trust analogue ones) my front two tyres were at 34psi and my back pair were at 28 - this difference meant the system activated. Mini One Chilli red with 15 inch pepper pot alloys, ASC+T, alarm, Salt and TLC. If you see me - SL51 MWW - gimme a flash of your lights!!

May 6th, 2002, 05:00 AM	#8 (permalink)
taffster MINI2 Regular Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Home: Newport Local Time: 10:25 AM Posts: 53 Offline	Hi Guys, Does this mean that if you've only got the 15" 8 spokes without the run flat tires you still get a tire pressure warning light?? Thanks Taff

May 6th, 2002, 05:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
Apial MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lincolnshire Wolds Local Time: 10:25 AM Posts: 825 Offline	Calibration is only completed once the vehicle has driven a short distance. 15" 8 spokes with normal tyres still get a pressure warning light, even on the base model. It would be a bit of a disaster to discover you had been driving on a flat with no spare and only the repair kit to fix a tyre that had just destroyed its side wall. You can drive with any size tyre so far as the pressure alarm is concerned. Balloons? http://www.loony-balloony.co.uk

May 11th, 2002, 10:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
erazo MINI2 Senior Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Diego Local Time: 02:25 AM Posts: 526 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by BrantV Any pics of this reset button? Page 62 of the USA owners' manual describes the FTM and illustrates the button. You can download the manual in pdf format from the Owners' Lounge.

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