Run flat indicator malfunction? - MINI2

tre · #1 (**permalink**) May 25th, 2009, 04:58 PM

Hey all,

I've encountered a strange problem with my 2002 (52) first gen Mini Cooper.

Before I set off on a long trip, I decided to check the tyre pressure of the wheels. As it's a newly bought (second hand) car, I wasn't aware of the correct pressure for the tyres, but after checking the tyre models (three 175/65 R 15 84 H's and one 174/65 R 15 84 T at the rear [iirc]) with the diagram inside the drivers door, I decided to make all the tyres 2.3 bar.

Unfortunately I incorrectly made two of tyres (right front and rear) 23 PSI. I quickly spotted my mistake as I was adjusting the pressure and correctly set all four tyres to 2.3 bar.

I drove off and everything was fine. Several miles later, I notice that the run flat indicator is flashing yellow (apparently a system malfunction) as I'm travelling 70 on the motorway. I decreased my speed and pull onto the hard shoulder where upon the traffic police stopped behind me, told me they thought everything looked okay and advised I checked my air pressure again at the next available petrol station.

I checked the pressure on all tyres and there was no significant decrease in tyre pressure on any of the wheels.

I started up the engine again and the yellow light was still flashing. I then decide to initialise the system using the button next to the handbrake.

The yellow light then went solid yellow, at which point I ventured back home. The light stayed a solid yellow until I turned the engine off at home.

A few mins later I decided to turn the car back on and take it for a short local drive to see if the light was still flashing or solid, but this time the light stayed completely off for the duration of my 5 minute drive.

In conclusion, has anyone got any idea as to what is going on? Did the fact I decreased a lot of pressure when I mistakenly adjusted the pressure in the right front and rear tyres cause a system malfunction, or confuse it? Do I have a severe system problem? Is this just a one off bug? Is 2.3 the correct bar reading for these specific tyres?

Any feedback would be muchly appreciated.

P.S - I have no idea if I have run flat tyres or not.

Thanks in advance.

DaFlake · #2 (**permalink**) May 25th, 2009, 05:49 PM

When you adjusted your pressure, you upset the pressure memory. What you should have done was adjusted the pressure then reset the system so that the car knows what the new pressure is. More then likely everything is fine, you just need to reset the system. How to do this is in your manual.