Quite simply, how come 6 years ago, with my 2010 Honda Fit, it didn't even come with a TPMS calibration button?
The general operating consensus was if the TPMS light illuminated, you added air and then the system would "automatically" re-calibrate.

Now in 2016 Honda has added a button, and is saying that I need to re-calibrate the TPMS system every time the tires are rotated and/or I add air.

I guess no big deal, it's basically just pushing a button and watching a light flash, but it's something I did NOT have to do with the 2010.

And finally...Do I really have to re-calibrate EVERY time the PSI of the tires may change?
When I first got my FIT, as I do with all new cars I ever get, I checked the PSI. In my experience coming off a dealer lot, the PSI is never right, either over inflated or under inflated. This time? All the tires were a few PSI higher. I had to let some air OUT of all my tires to get them to match the PSI as shown on the door jam. I think it was just a few PSI per tire. It caused no light to go on. However, I never re-calibrated.

Now that I read we evidently SHOULD re-calibrate after any PSI changes, I'm wondering if I should check my tires again, and make sure they are all where I want them to be, and then re-calibrate?

Since we are suppose to do this after a tire rotation as well, does that mean I trust the dealership to do it IF they are rotating the tires as part of the regular maintenance?

Not sure having this button is an advancement in convenience or just something else to worry about.

 

Never touched mine. 40,000 miles. New tires. Several pressure changes.

 

The dealer calibrated my TPMS system when I picked up the car (light was on). Since then, I've aired up the tires, swapped wheels for mounted snow tires and replaced the OEM tires. I've never seen the TPMS light come on and never had to "calibrate" the system.


Honda should have said, IMO, that you "might" have to calibrate the system under certain conditions.


The reason is that the 3rd gen Fit uses an entirely different TPMS system than the 2nd gen. Fit. Your 2010 (and my 2009) used pressure sensors in the valve stems that sent a radio signal to the computer. The 3rd gen. Fit uses the ABS sensors in the four wheels to detect a "soft" tire by comparing the rotational speed of the four tires.


Personally, I like the new system better. It's simpler, as it uses sensors that are already there for the ABS system. There are no expensive, failure prone pressure sensors in the wheels that are "married" to the car's computer. You can use any wheels you want; run mounted snow tires in the winter without buying extra sensors (and no need to have the dealer program them), and so forth.

 

Thanks.
Now at least I can see the advantage to the new system and the button. People can swap their tires out, and not spend all winter with the TPMS light on.

 

The advantage to the later TPMS system is that you don't have to maintain the sensors in the wheels. This eliminates a breakage issue when getting new tires and the occasional battery going dead. IMO, it's a very positive tradeoff!

 

Well said sir.

 

If the new sensors detect the rotational speed of the tires, wouldn't that mean maintaining the OEM size of tire very important for accuracy?

 

Sounds logical. I know other car models have issues if you change the size of the tires installed and don't "re-calibrate the computer". For some, this means taking the car to the dealer or buying an expensive tuner module (later model Jeeps for example).

I don't know what will happen with a 3rd Gen Fit though. I plan on staying with the OEM size.

 

No, the computer only looks for the same relative rotational speed. As long as all four tires are the same size you're good.

Of course, if you use a non standard tire diameter, you're speedometer will be inaccurate.

 

Actually, the computer looks for the same ratios of rotation in the four tires. If tire 1 is 97% of tire 2 that number is saved in the calibration process. If tire 1 is replaced with one of the same rotation as tire 2 the warning light will come on. Then you have to recalibrate.

 

Thanks for the answers.

It does seem that this new system has significant advantage.

I personally like the idea that I could switch to Winter Tires and NOT have to look at the TPMS warning light all winter. That in of itself makes it worth it to me.

 

an anyone help me
i am in big trouble with my 3rd gen fit which has run only 19,000 km
the baterry is good starter too spark plug has been renewed ,but every 2 to 3 days or so the car fail to start in the morning temp here is around 20 oc not cold though engine is cranking normally
we have to reset the ecu each time to have the car started .
Then problem come again after couple of days or on next day itself

 

I always wondered why drifting caused the sensor to come on.