ABS+Traction Control Lights

BTFU · 02-20-2016, 10:27 PM

So first, I've done some searching and can't find a definite answer so...

Background: I had some work done last week (Stillen CAI & Exhaust +tune, new wheels/tires). I pickup the car today and it all sounds & looks great. HOWEVER, the ABS light & traction control lights are popping up on the dash. the shop (JTRAN) acknowledged this and said it was due to the size difference in tires. They also indicated that the car should 'learn' the new sizes and adapt, thus making the lights go away. After reading on here, it seems like there is a risk of damaged speed sensors as well. I'm going to examine the speed sensors tomorrow.

Wheels/tires:
255/35/20
295/35/20

Does anyone have an answer/solution if it is the difference in wheel/tire diameter? Any help/advice would be appreciated!

cooltoy · 02-20-2016, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPenvy

the thing to watch for is overall diameter differences between F and R. if you go too big on the gap the ECU will think the wheels are spinning and your traction control light will be on.

......

cooltoy · 02-20-2016, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

There are several threads on this topic.

Yes; if there is enough difference in tire height/diameter, traction/stability systems will not work properly. Apparently, there is no published tolerance for how much difference there can be in tire diameter before the control systems balk but anecdotal evidence seems to indicate that it is around 3% (IIRC; check the other threads for details).

....

cooltoy · 02-20-2016, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGTV8

You need the front diameter and rear diameter to be less than 3% difference between them.

OEM 19" sizes are 245/45R19 which is 678.6mm tall, and 275/35R19 which is 675.1 mm tall and the difference between the 2 is 0.52%

......

BTFU · 02-21-2016, 09:50 AM

Yeah, as I said, I found those posts. The main question is in order to get rid of the christmas tree of lights, do I need to get new tires that are in closer in size or will the ECU adapt & learn the size difference?
Also, the lights are obviously an indicator, but is there much of a risk running as-is? I'm assuming that my ABS will still work properly

Chuck33079 · 02-21-2016, 10:04 AM

I'm not sure what issues running like that will cause, but the ecu doesn't adapt to tires being the wrong size. I'd swap out either the fronts or rears to a size closer in height to the other axle.

It would be pretty easy to make sure abs is still working. Go try to lock up the brakes.

cooltoy · 02-21-2016, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTFU

Does anyone have an answer/solution if it is the difference in wheel/tire diameter?

The posts I quoted answer the only question you initially asked. It is the difference in tire size.

The answers to you other questions (which were not asked in the OP) is in Chuck's post above.

ban25 · 02-21-2016, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTFU

Yeah, as I said, I found those posts. The main question is in order to get rid of the christmas tree of lights, do I need to get new tires that are in closer in size or will the ECU adapt & learn the size difference?
Also, the lights are obviously an indicator, but is there much of a risk running as-is? I'm assuming that my ABS will still work properly

If the ABS indicator is on, you do *not* have ABS.

pokeyl · 02-21-2016, 07:18 PM

Check the ABS sensors at the differential, cables are near the exhaust install It is not the tire size.

BTFU · 02-21-2016, 08:52 PM

So after some digging into the issue today, the speed sensors seem fine. The lights only seem to come on initially when getting over ~40. Once they're on, they remain on the entire time until I restart the car and get back up to that speed. While the ABS light is on, the ABS still functions 100% as normal, so I don't think it's the ABS cable. You can feel the pulse when braking hard.

So I think its narrowed down to the difference in wheel size. I don't think there is anyway to make the ECU adapt or flash a new program. Think I'll be making the rear a bit smaller to get into that 3% sweet spot.

BTFU · 02-21-2016, 09:12 PM

Right now I'm at 4.1% difference
255/35/20
295/35/20

dropping down to a 285/35/20 makes it 3.1%. and then 275/35/20 makes it 2%.

Rusty · 02-21-2016, 10:20 PM

What make tire you running? Just checking on Tirerack for PPS sizes.
What you have now is;
255/35-20= 27"
295/35-20= 28.1"

You need to go to a 295/30-20 in the rear which is 27" in height. Or go to a 275/35-20 in the front which is 27.6. Going to a 285/35-20 will not help much. It's 27.9"

2011 Nismo#91 · 02-22-2016, 09:25 AM

Rule of thumb ~3% difference, no more, or live with Christmas tree.

BTFU · 02-24-2016, 06:00 PM

any chance it could also be the rim offset? the shop said they used the same tires on another Z without issue...

cooltoy · 02-24-2016, 06:40 PM

I don't think so.

Why are they even arguing with you. You are the customer, if you want a different tire, it is your right.

02-20-2016, 10:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
BTFU Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 52 Drives: car Rep Power: 15	ABS+Traction Control Lights So first, I've done some searching and can't find a definite answer so... Background: I had some work done last week (Stillen CAI & Exhaust +tune, new wheels/tires). I pickup the car today and it all sounds & looks great. HOWEVER, the ABS light & traction control lights are popping up on the dash. the shop (JTRAN) acknowledged this and said it was due to the size difference in tires. They also indicated that the car should 'learn' the new sizes and adapt, thus making the lights go away. After reading on here, it seems like there is a risk of damaged speed sensors as well. I'm going to examine the speed sensors tomorrow. Wheels/tires: 255/35/20 295/35/20 Does anyone have an answer/solution if it is the difference in wheel/tire diameter? Any help/advice would be appreciated! Last edited by BTFU; 02-21-2016 at 09:01 PM.

02-21-2016, 10:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29538	ABS+Traction Control Lights I'm not sure what issues running like that will cause, but the ecu doesn't adapt to tires being the wrong size. I'd swap out either the fronts or rears to a size closer in height to the other axle. It would be pretty easy to make sure abs is still working. Go try to lock up the brakes. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

02-21-2016, 07:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
pokeyl Track Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: DFS Posts: 891 Drives: ??? Rep Power: 54	Check the ABS sensors at the differential, cables are near the exhaust install It is not the tire size. __________________ It's not my fault I'm old, I was born a very long time ago!

02-21-2016, 10:20 PM	#12 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 68 Posts: 34,867 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684436	What make tire you running? Just checking on Tirerack for PPS sizes. What you have now is; 255/35-20= 27" 295/35-20= 28.1" You need to go to a 295/30-20 in the rear which is 27" in height. Or go to a 275/35-20 in the front which is 27.6. Going to a 285/35-20 will not help much. It's 27.9" __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

02-22-2016, 09:25 AM	#13 (permalink)
2011 Nismo#91 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 2,381 Drives: slowly Rep Power: 33858	Rule of thumb ~3% difference, no more, or live with Christmas tree. Brendan likes this.

02-21-2016, 09:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
BTFU Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 52 Drives: car Rep Power: 15	Yeah, as I said, I found those posts. The main question is in order to get rid of the christmas tree of lights, do I need to get new tires that are in closer in size or will the ECU adapt & learn the size difference? Also, the lights are obviously an indicator, but is there much of a risk running as-is? I'm assuming that my ABS will still work properly

02-21-2016, 08:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
BTFU Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 52 Drives: car Rep Power: 15	So after some digging into the issue today, the speed sensors seem fine. The lights only seem to come on initially when getting over ~40. Once they're on, they remain on the entire time until I restart the car and get back up to that speed. While the ABS light is on, the ABS still functions 100% as normal, so I don't think it's the ABS cable. You can feel the pulse when braking hard. So I think its narrowed down to the difference in wheel size. I don't think there is anyway to make the ECU adapt or flash a new program. Think I'll be making the rear a bit smaller to get into that 3% sweet spot.

02-21-2016, 09:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
BTFU Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 52 Drives: car Rep Power: 15	Right now I'm at 4.1% difference 255/35/20 295/35/20 dropping down to a 285/35/20 makes it 3.1%. and then 275/35/20 makes it 2%.

02-24-2016, 06:00 PM	#14 (permalink)
BTFU Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 52 Drives: car Rep Power: 15	any chance it could also be the rim offset? the shop said they used the same tires on another Z without issue...

02-24-2016, 06:40 PM	#15 (permalink)
cooltoy Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Calgary Posts: 13,938 Drives: 14 PW 370Z S/T MT Rep Power: 240204	I don't think so. Why are they even arguing with you. You are the customer, if you want a different tire, it is your right. __________________ Member of kenchan's "photoshopped mods" and "proper offsets" gang.

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