Limp Mode for uneven tire pressure???

[Charles Faw]

A friend's 2011 RT SE5 went into limp mode yesterday. She took it to the dealer and was told that she had 15psi in one front tire, and 17psi in the other, and that the difference caused it to go into limp mode. Now the kicker----they told her the factory recommendation was 15-17psi but to run them at 20. Anyone else experience this?

 

[NancysToy]

Not likely the cause of your friend's limp mode, but the front tires should be operated at the same pressure. A different pressure could cause constant pulling to one side, which could trigger a limp mode in time, but two pounds difference alone is unlikely to be enough to do so. Run the tires at the identical pressures, and if the limp mode crops up again make the dealer eat his words.

 

[Magdave]

I am going to guess it is possible since the diameter of the 2 ply tire will change with air pressure in turn causing different wheel rotation speeds. Regardless spec is within .5lbs of the same pressure in both tires. Also mine was delivered to me with uneven tire pressures and it did not cause a limp mode although it was only a 1.5lb difference:dontknow:.

 

[NancysToy]

If the differential tire pressure did cause an alarm, it probably was not due to different rotational speeds. More likely it would have been from the steering pulling to one side, causing the rider to put constant turning pressure against the bars to compensate. If the steering angle sensor and steering torque sensors have a slight mismatch that continues for enough time to exceed the allowable limits in the programming, a limp mode will occur. Strong side winds, long sweeping curves (especially on banked roads), or steering sensor miscalibrations can do the same thing...or aggravate any tire related difficulties.

 

[Charles Faw]

It did fine on her 45 min. ride home today. So we'll wait and see...