November 10, 2008:

Turning off that light!

Posted 11:06 pm | Comments: (8) | GBMINI#6 (Convertible)

For the third time in the last couple of weeks, since it got cool, GBMINI#6′s flat tire warning light is on …

Apparently my right rear tire has a slow leak – each time, it’s down to 20psi or lower, while the other tires are holding pressure at 32+ … so it’s off to MINI Peabody tomorrow to get it sorted.

Meanwhile, it’s infuriating trying to clear the light after putting air back in the tire …
Start engine, press button, drive off – no, that doesn’t work.
Press button while driving – no …
Drive, stop, press button, drive more – no …
Press and hold button, no …
WTF!?

Finally, desparately, consult the owners manual:
“… start the engine but do not start driving [yup, did that] … press the button long enough for the indicator lamp to light up for a few seconds [but it's on already!] … drive off …”

So, how long is “long enough” when you can’t see the light come on because it’s on already [clever design - not!] … answer, who knows!
With this information, I started the engine and pressed the button for a VERY LONG TIME – maybe 10s – then drove off; and the light turned off after a few seconds! Finally.


UPDATE:
So GBMINI#6 spent a few hours at MINI of Peabody today, and I spent $260 – it was a nail in the tire, as expected:

Comments: 8 (post new comment)

  1. snid (2008/11/11 @ 8:21 am)

    The “inidicator” status has the light flashing. You hold down the button long enough that the light stays on solid.

  2. Josh Wardell (2008/11/11 @ 8:56 am)

    For me, holding the button for 10-15 seconds (at any time, even after it just came on and I continue driving), and it will usually turn off after a minute or two.
    I’ve never seen it flash.

    Since it depends on counting individual wheel rotations, it must need a while before it gets what it considers a full measurement. I assume the button press signals your acknowledgement, and if the next full measurement checks out OK, the light gets turned off. A similar amount of time is needed for it to turn on when something is wrong, usually a few minutes into driving after you start.

  3. GBMINI (2008/11/11 @ 9:44 am)

    I’ve not seen that light flash either … you’re not getting mixed up with that modern R56, are you Jason? ;)

  4. Chris (2008/11/12 @ 4:00 am)

    $260 to fit a nail!!!!!

  5. GBMINI (2008/11/12 @ 8:49 am)

    Fix?
    Yes, expensive. Run flats aren’t bargains!

  6. pbraun (2008/11/12 @ 4:13 pm)

    I had the same problem last week in my GP. A rather small nail right between the large treads, in a grove. I said, well, these tires are near the end of their operational lifetime anyway, so I went to a local garage and had it plugged. Hard to insert that plug through all the steel, but for $12.74 it was worth it, and holding just fine.
    In the spring I’ll probably put on some stickier non-runflat sneakers.

  7. jcwgp (2008/11/14 @ 10:27 pm)

    did you have to replace the tire? $260 is one expensive plug/patch.

  8. GBMINI (2008/11/14 @ 10:55 pm)

    Yes, a brand new tire. MoP don’t do plugs.

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