1999 Olds Alero GLS

[Vettefan87]

I just purchased this to replace my Escort that was totalled a few months ago. When I bought It and got it home, I drove it for a day then checked the tire pressure since the rear tires looked low. Well the rears had about 17 psi, and the fronts had around 45 psi. Well I let some air out of the front tires, and added some to the rears to get close to 35 psi.

I then drove for about 50 miles when the Low Tire Pressure light comes on. So I check the tires, and the fronts have 38 psi, and the rears had 30, so I have them all to 35, and the Yokohama tires on it now say max of 35 psi.

Now to my question, why would this light be on? Could one of the sensors or something be broke? I don't know why it would'nt be on for a day and a half, then suddenly come on. Any suggestions? I have yet to read the owners manual, I will get to that on Thursday when my finals are done and overwith.

 

[Eric]

Maybe it's on because of too much pressure (just a guess, and a wild one at that) because if I'm not mistaken the tag on your driver door says 30psi for that car. Try setting them all there cold and see what happens.

By the way, does it have the 3.4 or the 4-banger? The 3.4 was quick in my Grand Am GT.

-Eric

 

[JRMaroon]

Did you reset the tire pressure system after equalizing the pressures? I think the system in this vehicle detects changes in rotation due to pressure changes. An underinflated tire rotates more compared to the others due to the smaller circumference. I don't believe it actually has pressure sensors for each wheel.

Jeff

 

[Vettefan87]

Maybe it's on because of too much pressure (just a guess, and a wild one at that) because if I'm not mistaken the tag on your driver door says 30psi for that car. Try setting them all there cold and see what happens.

By the way, does it have the 3.4 or the 4-banger? The 3.4 was quick in my Grand Am GT.

-Eric

It has the 3.4 . I will have to go out there and check the tag and see what it says.

Did you reset the tire pressure system after equalizing the pressures? I think the system in this vehicle detects changes in rotation due to pressure changes. An underinflated tire rotates more compared to the others due to the smaller circumference. I don't believe it actually has pressure sensors for each wheel.

Jeff

How do you reset the system? I am new to all these sensors and monitors.

 

[JRMaroon]

Does the car still have the original radio? You should be able to access a menu through the in dash audio system. I don't know exactly how to do this without looking at a manual or messing around with it myself. You may be able to find a menu that will allow you to make changes to the keyless entry options (headlight flash, horn beep), sentinel lights and some other things.

I will post if I can think of any additional clues.

Best,
Jeff

 

[Vettefan87]

Yeah I read the manual and figured it out. I adjusted the pressure to 30 psi in each tire, and used the reset button that is in the drivers side fuse block to reset the oil, and the tire pressure gauge. Thanks for the help.