NTB-13-088

SB-10054527-9811
Classificatio n:
Reference:
WT13-005
Date:
NTB13-088
September 26, 2013
LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM;
BULLETINS SUMMARY
APPLIED VEHICLES:
All vehicles with:
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
Or Low Tire Pressure Warning System (LTPWS)
SERVICE INFORMATION
This bulletin has compiled Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) and Low Tire Pressure
Warning System (LTPWS) information for:
•
Basic Diagnosing of TPMS/LTPWS systems.
•
Aftermarket wheels.
•
Inflating/deflating tires with TPMS/LTPWS sensors.
•
Moving TPMS/LTPWS wheel assemblies from one vehicle to another and
TPMS/LTPWS sensor registration.
•
Radio Frequency interference causing a “No Data” (C1708, C1709, C1710, C1711)
condition.
•
Sensor leaks.
•
Air pressure changes with altitude and ambient temperatures.
Nissan Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Qualified technicians are
properly trained individuals who have the equipment, tools, safety instruction, and know-how to do a job
properly and safely. NOTE: If you believe that a described condition may apply to a particular vehicle, DO
NOT assume that it does. See your Nissan dealer to determine if this applies to your vehicle.
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Basic Diagnosing of TPMS/LTPWS systems
If the TPMS/LTPWS warning light is illuminated (continuously or flashing):
The TPMS/LTPWS system can be diagnosed by turning the ignition to the “OFF” and then
to the ”ON” position (engine not required to be running).
NORMAL OPERATION:
If the TPMS/LTPWS warning light is continuously illuminated (not flashing), the
TPMS/LTPWS is operating normally and has detected low tire pressure in one of the tires.
•
Leave the ignition in the “ON” position* (engine is not required to be running) and set
the tire pressure to the recommended pressure shown on the vehicle’s tire pressure
placard.
•
Leaving the ignition in the ON position may allow the TPMS/LTPWS to detect the
corrected tire pressure more quickly on 2009 and newer models (WITHOUT having
to drive the vehicle).
NOTE:
•
Normal tire pressure maintenance is not covered under
warranty.
•
Some 2011 and newer models will display an alert in the
Vehicle information display near the speedometer. The alert
will read "Check Tire Pressure", or similar, and will
CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE
MALFUNCTION PRESENT:
If the TPMS/LTPWS warning light is flashing for approximately one minute, there is a
TPMS/LTPWS system malfunction. Check the DTC and refer to the Service Manual for
repair instructions.
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ITB13-088
Aftermarket wheels
•
Refer to Irregularities of TPMS/LTPWS Sensor sealing surface later in this
bulletin.
•
Aftermarket accessory wheels may also have the sensor stem in the incorrect
orientation (Figure 1). This may cause the sensor to not transmit “data” when the
wheel starts to rotate or may prevent the transmitted data from reaching the
TPMS/LTPWS antenna.
Figure 1
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Inflating/deflating tires with TPMS/LTPWS sensors
Filling tires with nitrogen
The TPMS/LTPWS sensors can be damaged if the sensors are at the 6 O’clock position (closest to
the ground) when the tires are deflated.
•
When filling the tires with nitrogen, the vehicle should either be raised off the ground on a lift,
or the wheels individually removed from the vehicle to prevent damaging the TPMS/LTPWS
wheel sensors.
IMPORTANT: The vehicle should be raised or individual wheels removed to prevent the rims
from contacting the ground when deflated.
•
Improper use of tire inflator tools can break the stem of a Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) sensor.
•
The type of stem breakage shown in Figure 2 is not considered a
warrantable repair.
Please refer to the following examples of recommended and
not recommended tire pressure filling tools.
Not Recommended tire inflator tools.
Long heavy hose with Lock-on
air chuck or wheel at 6 O’clock
Figure 2
Deep well or dual
head air chucks
Air chucks with
handles or
Figure 3
Recommended tire inflating tools.
Shallow well air chucks
Air chucks with flexible hose (no extensions)
Figure 4
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ITB13-088
Moving TPMS/LTPWS wheel assemblies from one vehicle to another and
TPMS/LTPWS sensor registration
Moving TPMS/LTPWS wheel assemblies
TPMS/LTPWS sensors can have different part numbers from model to model and may not
operate correctly or operate at all.
CAUTION:
• New style and old style TPMS components are not compatible and cannot
be interchanged.
• Swapping of new style and old style components will cause the TPMS to
stop operating correctly.
•
If further confirmation of the TPMS
sensor part number is required,
review the part number of the
originally installed equipment before
replacement.
TPMS
Figure 5
Compare part
numbers
Figure 6
Figure 7
To confirm the latest part numbers, always consult the appropriate parts catalog
when replacing or exchanging TPMS sensors, receivers, or control modules.
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TPMS/LTPWS sensors must be registered to each vehicle every time the wheels are
swapped
TPMS/LTPWS wheel sensors must be registered each time the wheels are rotated,
swapped or replaced so that the sensors operate correctly and send the correct tire
pressure from the new wheel location.
If tires are rotated or service is required on a vehicle’s Tire Pressure Monitor System/Low
Tire Pressure Warning System (TPMS/LTPWS), the Signal Tech II (special tool J-50190),
Tire Pressure Sensor Activation Tool J-45295, or Transmitter Activation tool (J-45295-A)
can be used to register TPMS/LTPWS sensors.
NOTE: Failure to update Signal Tech II may lead to misdiagnosis of vehicles built
after February 28, 2010.
•
The latest software is available on the CONSULT III PC at: ASIST > Tools &
Equipment > Nissan TECH-MATE > Nissan TECH MATE Web Site > Service tools >
Signal Tech II.
•
If you should encounter problems with updating, contact Techmate at 1-800-6622001.
•
Future updates will be released as needed. Check ASIST frequently for this
information.
NOTE: Refer to the appropriate chapter and section of the Electronic Service Manual
(ESM) for the model specific procedure to register and diagnose TPMS/LTPWS
systems.
NOTE: Tire Pressure Sensor Activation Tool J-45295
will not work on some vehicles.
Instead use:
• Transmitter Activation tool (J-45295-A) with C-III
plus (preferred method)
Or
• Signal Tech II (J-50190) with C-III plus
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Radio Frequency interference causing a “No Data” (C1708, C1709, C1710, C1711)
condition
Radio Frequency (RF) interference can cause a No Data condition and may be caused by
any device that is transmitting RF on the same or similar frequency that the TPMS/LTPWS
sensors are on and is not covered under warranty.
Smart cell phone chargers (Figure 8), aftermarket DVD’s players, etc. should be removed
from the vehicle first and then the vehicle retested before further diagnostic is performed.
Figure 8
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Sensor leaks
Sensor leaks can be caused by irregularities of the wheel TPMS/LTPWS sensor sealing
surface, corrosion caused by aftermarket tire sealers and damaged TPMS/LTPWS sensor
seals. Seals are available individually.
Aftermarket Tire Sealers
Aftermarket tire sealants and/or aerosol repair kits should not be used (refer to the vehicle’s
Owner’s Manual).
•
Some aftermarket tire sealers and/or aerosol repair kits contain chemicals and
propellants that can cause damage to TPMS/LTPWS sensors.
NOTE: Damage caused by use of aftermarket tire sealants contrary to recommendations in
the vehicle Owner’s Manual is not covered under the Nissan New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Examples of damage caused by aftermarket tire
sealers
Exposed
Circuit
Residue
Cracks
Figure 9
Irregularities of TPMS/LTPWS Sensor sealing surface
Irregular surfaces
Figure 10
Irregular sealing surfaces, contamination oil, etc., may allow an air leak to form between the
wheel and TPMS/LTPWS sensors.
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TPMS/LTPWS seals
TPMS/LTPWS
seal
Figure 11
The TPMS/LTPWS seals can also be the source of a tire low pressure condition and are
available individually.
•
Do Not replace the TPMS/LTPWS sensor assembly for a leaking seal. Replace just
the seal.
NOTE: Figure 11 is for reference only and may appear to be different depending on the
model and year that is being serviced.
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Air pressure changes with altitude and ambient temperatures
The air pressure inside a tire can change due to several factors, such as:
• Seasonal temperature change
• Tire temperature change due to driving
• Natural pressure loss over time
Compensate for the above temperature factors when adjusting and setting tire pressure.
Each vehicle is equipped from the factory with
a TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION label.
Example
This label lists the COLD tire pressure setting
for the original tires on the specific vehicle.
NOTE: Tires are considered COLD after
the vehicle has been parked for 3 or more
hours, or driven less than 1 mile at
moderate speeds.
Figure 12
When setting / adjusting tire pressure, make sure to use an accurate tire pressure
gauge.
Use the following information for reference:
Temperature:
•
•
Tire pressure changes approximately 0.8 psi for
every 10°F of temperature change. As
temperature decreases, pressure decreases.
Tire pressure may change 3 - 5 psi between a Cold
reading and a reading taken just after the vehicle
has been driven for several miles.
Seasonal temperature change can result in tire
pressure that is low enough to turn on the Low Tire
Pressure Warning Light.
Tire Pressure Versus Temperature
36
35
34
33
32
31
30
PSI
•
80
60
40
20
0
Temperature (F)
Example 1 – Seasonal Temperature Change:
Graph 1 - Example
•
The temperature of the vehicle is 70°F after sitting in the shop.
•
Ambient temperature outside the shop is 30°F or will soon fall to 30°F due to seasonal
change.
•
Recommended pressure on the TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION label is 35 psi.
•
The tire pressure should be compensated an additional +3 psi and adjusted to 38 psi to
avoid dropping below the label value when the vehicle experiences cooler ambient air
temperature.
•
Compensation should also be used in the PDI process as needed.
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Example 2 – WARM Tires:
•
A vehicle arrives to the dealer after being driven across town.
•
The WARM tire pressure reading is 32 psi.
•
Recommended COLD tire pressure on the TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION label is
35 psi.
•
The tire pressure should be compensated an additional +3 psi and adjusted to 38 psi to
avoid dropping below the label value when the tires cool.
Natural tire pressure loss over time:
Pressure Versus Time
High Altitude
•
•
•
At high altitude locations, a standard tire
pressure gauge may show the tire pressure
higher than the TPMS system. If the gauge
reading is not accounted for, this could result in
turning ON the Low Tire Pressure Warning Light.
Standard tire pressure gauge readings increase
about 1.0 psi for every 2,200 ft of altitude
increase above sea level (up to 10,000 ft). See
Graph 3.
For example, if the TIRE AND LOADING
INFORMATION label reads 33 psi, then at an
elevation of 5,280 ft, the cold inflation pressure
using a gauge should be increased 2.5 psi to
35.5 psi."
NOTE: In Graph 3, C-III, Signal Tech II, or the
vehicle information display (if equipped) would
show a tire pressure of 33 psi. If needed, use CIII or Signal Tech-II to confirm tire pressure.
39
38
37
36
35
34
33
PSI
•
Vehicle tire pressure can naturally decrease by
approximately 1.0 - 1.5 psi per month. This will
vary due to seasonal temperature change.
After 6 to 8 months tire pressure may be low
enough to turn ON the Low Tire Pressure
Warning Light.
28
0
2
4
6
8
10
months
Graph 2 – Example
Gauge
Pressure Versus Altitude
39
38
37
36
35
34
33
PSI
•
0
TPMS
2
4
6
8
10
Altitude (Ft x 1000)
Graph 3 - Example
NOTE:
• After correcting the tire pressure, the vehicle may need to be driven at speeds above
16 mph to activate the TPMS and turn off the low tire pressure warning light.
• If pressure compensation for temperature is used, the pressure should be rechecked and adjusted at a later time when the tires are cold.
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