What is the ONE thing that bugs you about your Kizashi?

[sx4rocious]

But, TPMS are still a good idea when implemented in a user friendly manner. You don't necessarily have to be lax in the tyre checking area to suffer a sudden deflation. Reading stuff like the ESP cuts out when the TPMS isn't functioning is crazy. Sensors should also be universal and easy for the owner to program. It should be like the OBDII ECU fault protocol where everyone was forced to stick to certain guidelines.

Well said! That's exactly what I don't like about it. Forcing people to go to their dealership versus giving the user the ability to do what they want with their car is a big impedance to progress. It's like revising the toilet so that you have to ask permission to poop!


Yes...I did go there.

I don't believe for a minute that it's the government forcing the car manufacturers to build a system that requires you to take it back to the dealerships in order to reset or train the TPMS system. I believe the legislation was somewhat generic, and the auto manufacturers took it upon themselves to design this system. This way, thier dealerships have the opportunity to squeeze a few more buck from thier customers. It's a "Do Not Remove This Tag Under Penalty Of Law" situation. The matress tags were there to protect us all from companies that use substandard materials that are not regulated and potentially pose a fire or health hazard inside a new covering to save them a few bucks. Customers didn't take the time to learn what the legislation was ACTUALLY about, saw a tag that stated the government was watching and would prosecute YOU for removing a tag from something you rightfully and legally purchased, and started whining and moaning about it till it became a big joke. That tag was intended to reduce industrial corruption and (if you read the whole tag) had nothing at all to do with the actual consumer. If you don't like the TPMS system, remove it and live with the light in the dash, or do the wheelbarrow tire crack. Otherwise, realize it's a law meant to warn you of a potential hazard that needs to be addressed and fill you tires. BTW, this is coming from one of the most conservative Christians you will EVER meet!!

[sx4rocious]

and to get back on track, I would like to see a stiffer and more responsive shifter like the pre-6 speed SX4's. That and softer plastics or a leather dash pad. these two things would rival ANY other sport sedan out there regardless of price class.

[Woodie]

Waving the majik government wand to put a VERY expensive light on the dashboard does not fix the problem of clueless drivers. The majority of drivers who would happily cruise along on low tires, endangering both you and themselves will happily cruise along with a TPMS light glowing on their dashboard, with the same result plus stability control disabled. Just like gun laws, passing further laws only effects the law abiding, the criminal ignores them, just like the dope ignores safety mandates. Meanwhile, the rest of us (who pay attention to such things and don't need the warning system) have to spend tonnes of money complying.

I don't believe that the sainted government did a wonderful thing by mandating this, nor do I believe that the evil corporations pounced upon a loophole to make it as complicated and expensive as possible. Yes, it certainly should be more universal and not require special tools that only the dealer can afford to reset. It will probably drift in that direction as time goes on, but the root of the problem is the government mandate. They've now mandated stability control, which by caveat, mandates TPMS and ABS on every car, no matter how basic. I want the right to buy a 1990 GEO Metro and get 50 mpg in daily driving. 1600 lbs and no safety or convenience features at all. I don't want to force you to drive one, but I want the choice to be available for those who are cheapskates and choose to take the risk.

I agree that our military should not be used to run around the world forcing democracy on people at gunpoint, but it's one of the only government expenditures I don't mind. That's because it's the only one authorized by the Constitution.

[jono6406]

So far my car has been perfect, not one single problem in the 2 years that I have owned it but it bugs me when the low tire pressure light comes on because you have to check all four tires. My previous Cadillac would tell you what tire needs attention but with the Kizashi you must fiddle with all four until you get it right. Other than than it's perfect and I wouldn't get rid of it for all the tea in China.

[Ronzuki]

Waving the majik government wand to put a VERY expensive light on the dashboard does not fix the problem of clueless drivers. The majority of drivers who would happily cruise along on low tires, endangering both you and themselves will happily cruise along with a TPMS light glowing on their dashboard, with the same result plus stability control disabled. Just like gun laws, passing further laws only effects the law abiding, the criminal ignores them, just like the dope ignores safety mandates. Meanwhile, the rest of us (who pay attention to such things and don't need the warning system) have to spend tonnes of money complying.

I don't believe that the sainted government did a wonderful thing by mandating this, nor do I believe that the evil corporations pounced upon a loophole to make it as complicated and expensive as possible. Yes, it certainly should be more universal and not require special tools that only the dealer can afford to reset. It will probably drift in that direction as time goes on, but the root of the problem is the government mandate. They've now mandated stability control, which by caveat, mandates TPMS and ABS on every car, no matter how basic. I want the right to buy a 1990 GEO Metro and get 50 mpg in daily driving. 1600 lbs and no safety or convenience features at all. I don't want to force you to drive one, but I want the choice to be available for those who are cheapskates and choose to take the risk.

I agree that our military should not be used to run around the world forcing democracy on people at gunpoint, but it's one of the only government expenditures I don't mind. That's because it's the only one authorized by the Constitution.

Amen brother! Honestly I don't get all this complaing about the TPMS operation. By the time the IDIOT light comes on it's far too late. I've owned my car for 3 years and 39,000 miles and the light has never come on. I'lI NOTICE the cars handling deteriorate before the light ever comes on. Even if it does, I'll likely be pissed because it will mean a problem w/ the tech and NOT my actual tire pressure. I don't need this type of expensive tech jazz in my cars. Checking tires once a week is a normal part of owning and operating any vehicle. This is/was standard operating procedure long before TPMS was mandated. Be AWARE of the condition of the vehicle before you get in and drive off. LEARN how to check the tire pressure and do it. All this tech doesn't help us as a species in any way when it fails. I constantly see daily reminders of this fact and it's very disturbing. (Uhhh I can't land the plane because the airport's auto glide-path tech thingy is busted) So crashing the plane, killing and injuring passengers is a better idea. Tech failed, humans were incapable to do their jobs and disaster followed.

So, back to the topic, the presence of useless expensive mandated tech in the car is annoying, air bags included. The iVSP, TCS and iAWD is fun, useful tech

[SamirD]

I don't believe for a minute that it's the government forcing the car manufacturers to build a system that requires you to take it back to the dealerships in order to reset or train the TPMS system.

I don't think this was the case either, but what I have observed definitely seems like some politics were involved in what the manufacturers were ultimately told since almost all Japanese makes (Mazda being an exception) seems to require an OBD tool to reset the tpms, while almost all American makes seem to not require one. There's no way this happened like this without some 'influence'.

And I understand all of this is supposed to make things safer, which it definitely does. But the convenience factor is a huge problem for the vast enthusiast community at large as well as myself.

[SamirD]

Also, not everyone is responsible, attentive, or even sane. Many people pose a risk to themselves and more importantly, to others from their carelessness. While I agree that some of these people are dumb enough that natural selection should take them out, the chance of them affecting others must be diminished.

Also, the bulk of our insane government spending is from our bloated, ridiculous military budget as we play world policeman aka American Imperialism. The US spends more on the military than the rest of the world's combined.

You bring up a good point, and if it's the bad drivers that are the problem, why isn't the driving test a more in-depth process? There's no excuse for not having full simulators that people must pass before they even get on the road--simulating blowouts, being cutoff, run off the road, ice, snow, zero visibility, the hood opening, and the host of issues that can happen while driving that 90% of people won't react to in a safe manner. I wrote a lengthy letter to the National Highway Safety whatever it's called (forgot now) about this when I saw them bragging on their web site on how mandatory airbags have saved lives. What about the lives that have been lost due to ineffective driver training? Where's that statistic?

It is pretty amazing how much money our military endeavors cost. But through them, like space explorations, we end up with some products for civilian life. It's a bit silly that we play 'Captain America World Police' in every corner of the globe, but I guess it's best to fight those battles overseas before they become a problem on domestic soil--at least that's my rationale for that nonsense.

[SamirD]

So far my car has been perfect, not one single problem in the 2 years that I have owned it but it bugs me when the low tire pressure light comes on because you have to check all four tires. My previous Cadillac would tell you what tire needs attention but with the Kizashi you must fiddle with all four until you get it right. Other than than it's perfect and I wouldn't get rid of it for all the tea in China.

And this is interesting because in my research and discussions with companies about the system in our cars, it has to actually know which tire it is, unless a tire rotation doesn't set off the tpms--then it doesn't know each specific tire.

[Ronzuki]

Tire rotation does not trigger the TPMS light (in my car).

[SamirD]

Tire rotation does not trigger the TPMS light (in my car).

Thank you so much for the feedback! So the guy I was talking to was wrong. Hasn't been the first time in my research, and it probably won't be the last.