zealot

Those of you who are using aftermarket wheels with cars equipped originally with the tire pressure monitors, are you seeing the Tire Pressure Warning Light come on?

The reason why I ask is that I had to do a Minus-1 to get Bridgestone Blizzaks onto my Touring 6SP with stock 18" wheels. (18" rear tires were not available at the time).

Obviously the aftermarket 17" wheels don't have the tire pressure monitors installed. I wasn't going to spend $220x4 for the convenience of not having to get out of the car to check my tire pressure.

Even though I did the Minus-1 right and did mirror the factory 17" setup (P225/50 (front) P235/50 (rear)), I get the Tire Pressure Warning Light after about 20 minutes of driving. (The "idiot" light, not the trip computer warning - that display shows "----" all around). That light goes off after I pull over and turn off the ignition, but reappears after another 20 minutes. I check my cold tire pressure with an accurate digital gauge every time before I leave, and always make sure its 35psi.

My service department says that the only way they would look at it is if I come in on factory wheels. Obviously that would solve the problem. When I asked them if they would at least reset the sensors to the car for me if I bought them and installed them in the wheels myself, the service manager flat out refused.

Any ideas?

TIA,
G.C.