On my way home from work last night, there was an unexpected “bing” (the same sound as for low temperature or low fuel); looking around I spotted a yellow light on the center speedometer and eventually figured that the picture might be for the “flat tire” warning (it’s not very intuitive to me!)
So I stopped and walked round GBMINI, but all (aftermarket non-runflat tires) looked perfectly OK … so I headed home:
Once home, I went round the car and pressure gauge checked each tire … 33psi, 33.5psi, 33.5psi … really starting to think I had a new gremlin in GBMINI but then … 27psi!
The last tire I checked (left rear) was down 6psi – not enough for me to see even though the tire was not runflat (with runflats you can’t really see when they are completely flat) – but GBMINI knew the tire was down and told me.
I am newly impressed with GBMINIs low tire detection – good job MINI!
M&I / GBMINI 
So far having reflated it, it is holding pressure – so maybe it just leaks a bit quicker than the other tires …
Glad you car told you @ 6psi. My only came on when I rotated the tires and when one tire was down 10psi. Of course with the rotation I needed to reset the monitor.
I’ve been checking my runflats once a month. They all loose a couple pounds. Not alot of air in there so a liitle leak shows up fast.
My RF’s have been perfect since getting the car in June of ’05. I do get an idiot light for a flat once in a while but it’s never anything so I just reset.
Great yours work, mine never does , I´ve had already 2 flat tires, and a lot of times when one tire was dropping pressure and it has NEVER turned on!! but of course you call the dealer and they always give you a cheap explanation of how it only works when you drive the car continously for more than 60 miles without stopping so it can detect the low tire……
Sorry to hear that Pepe, can’t believe I drive 60+ miles non-stop often, if ever! Not with the busy Boston traffic 😉
Mine turned on when my tire went to 30 psi, and I had only been driving it around town. However, I don’t know how to reset it (I bought my Mini used and the owner’s manual I ordered hasn’t shown up yet). I know it’s the button underneath the parking brake but I’m not sure when to press it, for how long, etc.
You should be able to press and hold the button for a few seconds, with the car running. The “flat tire” light should then come on steady, but clear after a few miles of driving once the car learns your wheel pressures.
Please be certain that you don’t have a flat, before clearing the fault!
Brought a new 2005 minicooper in May. Since then I have had six flat tires.I drove two chrysler Le Baron’s from 1989 nearly 400,000 miles and never got one flat. What’s wrong with the mini? I’m at my wits end. More important, what kind of tires can I purchase that will won’t keep me in a state of worry everytime I drive it. The Dealer is not sympathetic.
Clare, I’ve never heard of anyone having that problem.
I presume you are getting *real* flat tires that need repair, and not just an erroneous flat tire warning.
The 17″ wheels put more demands on the tires than the smaller 16″ or 15″ wheels.
But apart from that, the runflat tires are *MORE* rugged than normal so I can’t understand why you would have such problems.
Ian C. Thanks for your comment. Yes, real flats… of the six flats, I had to purchase 3 new tires because of the damage. However, the tires are the regular tires that came with the mini not “run flat” I saved three nails and one screw retrieved from the tires. Two of us park in the same driveway and drive out the same street, but Im the only one that gets a flat. Perhaps I should look into the “run Flat” tires. It does seem beyond chance, but I can’t figure out why.
I got the flashing tire signal and I have checked my tires (but not my spare..can’t find the nozzle)and all 4 tires are at 33 psi. I tried to reset the monitor, but continue to get the flashing signal. Anyone else have this problem? If so, how did you correct it?
I have a 2005 s
The runflat warning is generated by measuring tire rotation – so the spare is not relevant.
To reset the monitor, I think you have to hold the button pressed for a few seconds after starting the car, and then drive at least a few miles so the car can “learn” the new tire rotations.
It’s also possible that a wheel rotation sensor is faulty – but then I think you’d also have the triangle ASC/DSC light on.
Thanx I have tried this, but I will try again. According to the book, you are suppose push the button while the key is in position 2. I will try when the car is running.
John
Ian, what do you mean when you say “It’s also possible that a wheel rotation sensor is faulty – but then I think you’d also have the triangle ASC/DSC light on.” I was driving my 2002 Cooper S and both the tire warning and the ASC/DSC came on simultaniously. Any suggestions?
Carl,
The “flat tire warning” works by counting wheel revolutions and comparing to make sure all wheels turn at the same speed – a flat tire will turn faster.
If the sensor is faulty, then the car cannot measure revolutions and so can’t detect flat tires – but it also can’t detect slipping wheels so the ABS/DSC fault would indicate (but since the car can’t decide if a tire is flat, it would turn on that indicator also!)
I have a problem when I turn the car off and start back up, it feels like I have no power steering. This seems to correct itself if I leave the car off for an undetermined length of time. Does anyone else have this problem and if so, how is it corrected.
Thanx,
John
I’ve never heard of that problem John – what does your dealership say?
It just started happening and I have not contacted a dealer yet.
Does the Mini have a power steering reservoir? I have checked the manual and can not tell. Is there a way to check the power steering fluid?
John
Yes John, there is a reservoir for the power steering.
Links to the online manuals are here – go to page 110 of the 2005 manual and you’ll see a picture showing where to fill with coolant; right next to that is the cap for power steering.