‘Tire pressure monitoring system’: Lately (very cold weather), the TPMS warning alert on my 2012 ZDX has been more progressively activating, intermittently. I never dreamed I would be one of those people that cover warning lights with black tape, but the flashing/bright dash alert is very distracting, especially at night. Since the problem IS so intermittent & weather related, I assumed it was likely a bad connector contact somewhere in the system circuitry, and not a tire sender fault. So, I pulled out the shop manual, expecting to just locate & clean the connectors. Turns out the TPMS troubleshooting procedure is like, 20 pages long, and the connectors are not easily accessible. I can only imagine what dealer labor charges would amount to, tracking down & solving the issue, with no real guarantee of a permanent fix. Thus, I will merely make it a point to check tire pressure with my manual gauge more frequently in winter, and risk driving on a flat (and thus replacing a damaged tire & wheel) which would likely be a lesser expense. With so many electrical bells & whistles on the ZDX, more troubles down the road are probably inevitable, unfortunately.

 

When the TPMS MIDI notification appears, does the display show which wheel's TPMS is not reading? During these intermittent issues, is it always the same wheel?

 

yes, and no. Left front most frequently (pressure checks ok though with gauge), but often most or all randomly. After several days in my heated garage, system usually works normally, for awhile.

 

Batteries in the sensors getting weak? Had to replace the TPMS sensors in my 2018 already.

 

New tires & sensors much younger than that. Unless the installer reused the old valve anssemblies and charged for new (?). Reputable dealer, but you never know. I suppose, I should figure a way to double-check next time I get new tires.

 

I know not an Acura but this happened frequently with our Honda Pilot (which we replaced with a ZDX). It always happened when going up to the mountains during winter time. It kind of makes sense as you go to a colder area. Later on, it also came on even in lower elevations. I think it was a combination of just going into much colder areas and the sensors getting old (never replaced them). Did you check what the actual tire pressure is when this happens? That would tell you if it's really a pressure issue or some sensor/connector problem.

 

I was curious why my tire dealer always recommended the sensor/valve units should be replaced when new tires are installed. I am usually hesitant to discard any working part, due to the unpredictable quality of many cheap aisian items, but since those reused in the past sometimes leaked eventually (rubber deteriorates with age), and they were relatively inexpensive, I consented. Though obvious now, I initially had no idea they contained a battery, which would naturally lose power in cold temps. I suppose, I should just be thankful most are still holding pressure.