tires pressure low

[sdpapet]

Hello, I am a new driver and I don't know much about cars, even some basic things. I got my Sonic 2013 lt in April. Yesterday, a warning light flashed on my panel. I checked the handbook and it says the air pressure is low. Here are my questions.

1> I don't have a gauge, so I don't know if one tire is low or all tires are low. Can I let the LCD screen show which tire is low?

2> If the screen can't show. Does gas station air charger normally have a gauge?

3> Is this normal? My tires pressure is low after 4 months? I don't drive a lot.
Or this is just because the sensor is too sensitive? This is electronic. My friend told me it is too sensitive sometime and I can ignore it. He has car without LCD screen and he fill tires every year.

4>Should I fill with nitrogen? Do I need special tires to fill nitrogen or any type of tires can be filled with nitrogen?

Thanks

 

[5.0]

1. The LCD screen will not show which tire is low. It only alerts you to a problem. It is up to you to determine which tire(s) are low. Or take it to a shop if you're not comfortable doing it.

2. Yes gas station fillers sometimes have a pop up gauge on them. You should go purchase your own gauge and keep it in the glove box. They are around 4 dollars. Cheap.

3. It is not normal to have low tire pressure after 4 months. However it could be for a number of reasons. You could have a puncture, a leak at the bead, or a leak at the valve stem.

4. Do not fill with nitrogen. Air is just fine. You don't need special tires.

 

[sdpapet]

1. The LCD screen will not show which tire is low. It only alerts you to a problem. It is up to you to determine which tire(s) are low. Or take it to a shop if you're not comfortable doing it.

2. Yes gas station fillers sometimes have a pop up gauge on them. You should go purchase your own gauge and keep it in the glove box. They are around 4 dollars. Cheap.

3. It is not normal to have low tire pressure after 4 months. However it could be for a number of reasons. You could have a puncture, a leak at the bead, or a leak at the valve stem.

4. Do not fill with nitrogen. Air is just fine. You don't need special tires.

Hi, Thank you.

1>If I go to Chevy official service and ask them to help me fill the air, is it free?

3> What's your suggestion? Should I go to the Chevy store and tell them that I think my tires are chronic leaking? So, they will check my tires one by one? I don't know how much this will cost? If there is a puncture, do I normally need to buy a new tires?

Or I should just simply fill the air at this time and keep an eye on it? You know, I brought the car 4 months ago. I supposed the dealer fully inflated the tires and sold the car to me, but I am not sure. There was no low pressure alert at that time. It could be the tires were not fully filled at that time and it is time to refill now. I didn't know when was the last time they inflated

Thanks.

 

[The Champ]

You could go to the dealer and have them check the pressure and most likely they will do this for free.

It would make more sense to buy yourself a gauge and learn how to check pressure yourself. You should check pressures once a month anyway.

I wouldn't consider this to be any kind of serious problem unless you find a tire needing air consistently (more than once a month).

Learning how to do basic car care is worth your time. Do you know how to check your oil? This is another item that you should check on your own once a month.

Things like this are called preventative maintenance and will help your car last longer and perform better.

 

[DoctorFan]

Hi, Thank you.

1>If I go to Chevy official service and ask them to help me fill the air, is it free?

3> What's your suggestion? Should I go to the Chevy store and tell them that I think my tires are chronic leaking? So, they will check my tires one by one? I don't know how much this will cost? If there is a puncture, do I normally need to buy a new tires?

Or I should just simply fill the air at this time and keep an eye on it? You know, I brought the car 4 months ago. I supposed the dealer fully inflated the tires and sold the car to me, but I am not sure. There was no low pressure alert at that time. It could be the tires were not fully filled at that time and it is time to refill now. I didn't know when was the last time they inflated

Thanks.

I use the On STAR app to check my pressure, like, weekly. 2015 LT hatchback with 16" tires and 10k miles. I find I need to top off the tires (I like 37 - 38 psi) after about 3000 miles.

With my old car, it was at Jiffy Lube every 3000 miles, so it wasn't noticable. With this car and a longer oil change interval, it's noticable.

Air escapes. Tires go down. It's normal.



Sent from my VK810 4G using Tapatalk

 

[perrymk]

I have a Black & Decker ASI300 Air Station . The desired pressure can be preset and when it is reached, it stops inflating. There is no air tank so no waiting; just turn it on and inflate. The only thing to know is one has to turn it off and back on between tires to reset the preset. Not a big deal. It's not a high end heavy duty commercial air pump, but for my home use its just fine. It makes it very easy to top off once a month or so.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Hello, I am a new driver and I don't know much about cars, even some basic things. I got my Sonic 2013 lt in April. Yesterday, a warning light flashed on my panel. I checked the handbook and it says the air pressure is low. Here are my questions.

1> I don't have a gauge, so I don't know if one tire is low or all tires are low. Can I let the LCD screen show which tire is low?

2> If the screen can't show. Does gas station air charger normally have a gauge?

3> Is this normal? My tires pressure is low after 4 months? I don't drive a lot.
Or this is just because the sensor is too sensitive? This is electronic. My friend told me it is too sensitive sometime and I can ignore it. He has without LCD screen and he fill tires every year.

4>Should I fill with nitrogen? Do I need special tires to fill nitrogen or any type of tires can be filled with nitrogen?

Thanks

Hello sdpapet,

I see that you're seeking advice on the forum regarding the tire pressure in your Sonic and I understand why this would be concerning as you're a new driver. If you're thinking you'd like to have a Chevy certified technician take a look at this, we'll gladly contact them on your behalf. If interested, feel free to send us a private message with your VIN, mileage, contact information and preferred dealership.

Thanks!

Jasmine
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[borockster]

Maybe it's my age (fast approaching 50) but I cannot imagine not checking my oil and all other fluids as well as tire pressure weekly.

This is not a dig against the OP as all folks are different but over the 30+ years I have been driving I have found more than one surprise on those quick weekly inspections.

 

[Maddmatts]

...If there is a puncture, do I normally need to buy a new tires?

I noticed this question hasn't been answered yet.

Most punctures are repairable. They only times they aren't are if the puncture is too big, on the sidewall, or if it's too close to another previously repaired puncture.