Flat Tire Experience

5396 Views 18 Replies 16 Participants Last post by MontanaFred, Feb 24, 2006

jwashow

Discussion Starter · Apr 4, 2005

Started off to work this morning and noticed the Tire Pressure Monitoring System was detecting low air pressure in the driver's side rear. Went home, checked the pressure, looked at the tire and was greeted with a nice screw head sticking out of the tire. Nice to know it wasn't a software problem. As usual I didn't have 1200 pounds of rocks in the bed so I really appreciated the ease and convienence of easy access to the spare and jack. Changed the tire with no problems and went over to the Honda dealer.

Of course the puncture was in the sidewall so the tire, with less than 1,000 on it, had to be replaced.
Of course since the Ridgeline is so new they didn't have a tire in stock.
Of course the space saver warns don't go over 50 mph and I had to be 200 miles from where I was an hour earlier.

When the dealer learned of my travel needs he said if he had the right wheel and tire on another Ridge he would do a swap. Nice action, obviously not something they were obligated to do. Did the swap and thought I was good to go but they couldn't get the sensor light to go off. Reset it several times with no avail. Took it out for a test drive, still on. So they called Honda and found out the sensor not only monitors pressure, but among other things, temperature differences between tires. If there is more than 2 degress difference the sensor light goes on. Since my tires were road warm and the one they swapped on had been on the lot the indicator was on. Once more around the block and everything was fine. It was the first Ridgeline they had had in the shop, the dealer apologized for the delay. It was no problem, I was very appreciative of their efforts.

I wish the guy who engineered the tire monitoring system and engineered the auto door lock system.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

jwashow

Discussion Starter · #2 · Apr 4, 2005

My last sentence should read "I wish the guy who engineered the Tire Monitoring System HAD engineered the auto door lock system."

zero

· #3 · Apr 4, 2005

Wow! I hope that my dealer is as nice as yours if I have a problem.

I never realized that the TPMS also monitored temperature differences amonst the tires. Cool.

Whaleya

· #4 · Apr 4, 2005

I wish the engineer that designed the TPMS had spoken to the tech writer of the manual

vertrkr

· #5 · Apr 4, 2005

Good story and outstanding dealer service. Might want to put in a good word for them to Amercian Honda. I had no idea about the TPMS reading temp too.

laserfan

· #6 · Apr 4, 2005

jwashow said:
...I wish the guy who engineered the tire monitoring system and engineered the auto door lock system.

Great story, thanks for the details!

Everyone here though should expect the same "special" treatment from their dealer on this new truck--I'm sure Honda wants this new introduction to go well, to say the least!

Ridge

· #7 · Apr 4, 2005

"...............As usual I didn't have 1200 pounds of rocks in the bed "

LOL that was funny. Sounds like a cool experience with your dealer.

AHart

· #8 · Apr 5, 2005

So where do you keep your 1200 pounds of rocks? I thought that was standard equipment?!

I hope my dealer will treat me as well as yours treated you.

RTL44

· #9 · Apr 5, 2005

Standard equipment?! LOL! I heard most dealers have a $3000 markup on their rocks.

hwbobk

· #10 · Apr 5, 2005

This is from the March Honda service news bulletin

Low Tire Pressure Indicator
On; DTCs 11, 13, 15, or 17
NOTE: This article applies to ’05 Odysseys,
’05 Pilots, and ’06 Ridgelines.
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.
Hope this helps ... Bob

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laserfan

· #11 · Apr 5, 2005

Thanks a lot, hwbobk, this is the kind of information that makes a forum like this invaluable! Nice contribution!

jwashow

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 6, 2005

One value of this forum is to not only educate ourselves but the dealers as well. I've already pointed the dealer I bought my Ridge from this way. This is new turf for them, just as it is for us.

Heinrich

· #13 · Apr 6, 2005

These trucks don't have roadside assistance do they?

mayfielh

· #14 · Apr 6, 2005

I think the Roadside Assist is only available if you purchase the Honda Care extended warrantee.

bongus

· #15 · Apr 11, 2005

mayfielh said:
I think the Roadside Assist is only available if you purchase the Honda Care extended warrantee.

That is correct, the service is covered by a 3rd party company NOT Honda. If you buy the Honda Care Warranty, you automatically become a member of the "Cross Country Motor Club". Here are some of the Road Service Benefits:
1. Towing to the nearest Honda Dealer or repair facility required as a result of mechanical breakdown or vehicle accident/collision
2. Flat tire change (with your good spare)
3. Battery boost (jump start)
4. Emergency fuel delivery
5. Lockout assistance
I did not list everything but if you think you need more information just ask. I have the Honda Care contract with me.

shovelhd

· #16 · Apr 22, 2005

When I started the Ridgeline up tonight after a customer visit, I noticed that the TPMS light was on, indicating a low passenger side rear tire. I took it to a local station and topped it off until the light shut off (I have yet to put my tire pressure gauge in the truck - my bad). Hopefully I don't have a tire going down.

gormleyflyer2002

· #17 · Apr 22, 2005

Ok, dealer (Canada) told me when I picked up my truck..cancel your CAA, you now have roadside assistance for as long as you own the truck.

Maybe its a Canadian only thing.....?? maybe he was full of it

I'll have to look in the glove box and see if I can find anything...

woodco

· #18 · Feb 24, 2006

Remember....The tire is only flat on one side....JUST A JOKE!!!!
Thanks for the info!

MontanaFred

· #19 · Feb 24, 2006

Very interesting. I'm getting the full size spare as soon as I can. Then if I fill the bed of my truck with rocks (which I actually might do next summer) I will mount the mini-spare in the bed where I can get to it if I get a flat tire.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

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