TPMS - Low Tire Pressure Indicator/DTC's 11, 13, 15, 17

SOURCE: Acura Service News

TITLE: Low Tire Pressure Indicator On: DTC 11, 13, 15, or 17

APPLIES TO: 04-05 MDX
05 RL

SERVICE TIP:

Cold weather can cause the low tire pressure indicator on the instrument panel to come on and the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) control unit to set one or more of these TPMS DTCs:
- TPMS DTC 11 (right-front low tire pressure)
- TPMS DTC 13 (left-front low tire pressure)
- TPMS DTC 15 (right-rear low tire pressure)
- TPMS DTC 17 (left-rear low tire pressure)

There are several reasons why this can happen. One reason is that tire pressure is affected by temperature. A 10°F change in tire temperature changes the tire pressure by 1 psi. The low tire pressure indicator comes on when the tire pressure falls below 25% of the recommended tire pressure. You should check the tire pressure when the tires are cold. Another reason is that tire pressure gauges have a bad reputation when it comes to accuracy. Make it a point to calibrate your tire pressure gauge often.

Here's a typical scenario to illustrate just what we're talking about. The tire temperature was warm from driving (90°F) when you checked the tire pressure and set it to the recommended value. Your customer then parked the vehicle outside and the outside temperature and the tire temperature dropped down to 10°F. This 80°F drop in tire temperature causes an 8 psi drop in tire pressure. If the tire pressure gauge was off by + 1 psi, the 9 psi change in tire pressure will cause the low tire pressure indicator to come on and the TPMS control unit to set a TPMS DTC.