Your Vehicle: 2009 Nissan-Datsun Altima V6-3.5L (VQ35DE)
 
Vehicle » Maintenance » Wheels and Tires » Tire Monitoring System » Technical Service Bulletins » Tire Monitor System - Tire Pressure Info.  
 
 
  Tire Monitor System - Tire Pressure Info.  
 

Classification: WT08-003C

Reference: NTB08-033C

Date: October 3, 2011

TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION FOR VEHICLES WITH TPMS

The publication date on this bulletin has been amended to include the newest models.

APPLIED VEHICLES: All Nissan vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)

SERVICE INFORMATION

The Low Tire Pressure Warning Lamp will illuminate continuously (not flashing) if the tire pressure is low in any of the four road tires.

^ This is not an indication of a malfunction. Rather, it is a signal to the driver that the tire pressure in the vehicle must be adjusted.

Tire pressure must be adjusted/corrected at or above the pressure shown on the TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION label before the Low Tire Pressure Warning Light will go OFF.

^ Regular tire pressure maintenance such as described in this bulletin is not covered under the warranty.

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.

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.

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.

Example 1 - Seasonal Temperature Change:

^ 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.

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:

  

^ 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.

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 above.

^ 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 the above example, C-III, Signal Tech II, or the vehicle information display (if equipped) would show a tire pressure of 33 psi. If needed, use C-III or Signal Tech-II to confirm tire pressure.

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.

^ If after turning the ignition ON, the TPMS light flashes for one minute and then turns solid, refer to NTB10-048 or NTB09-1O1.