The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Touareg. The vehicle had pirelli scorpion strs tires, tire size 265/45zr20. The contact observed when the vehicle was parked that the air pressure in the tires needed to be over inflated by two pounds before the vehicle could be in operation. A failure had not occurred when the complaint was filed. The contact disagreed with the practice of over inflating the tires. The failure mileage was unavailable. The current mileage was 5,280.

- Painesville, OH, USA

On January 21, 2008 I purchased a new 2008 Volkswagen Touareg. I am the original owner. The TPMS continuously warns of a low tire (s). However, no such low tire condition exists. After complaining, I learned that Volkswagen sets the 'low tire pressure warning telltale' warning to alert at a tire pressure loss of about 4 psi, based on a factory fixed initial tire pressure preset of 46 psi rear, and 39 psi front. These fixed preset pressures are based upon a maximum vehicle load. At less than maximum vehicle load, 46 psi in the rear tires is excessive, greatly reducing the tire patch area that contacts the road surface. This condition is dangerous, especially in wet or icy conditions due to decreased traction. Moreover, tread life will be greatly reduced with this limited tread contact. To remedy this condition, the Volkswagen owner's manual describes a procedure to change the tire pressure preset (s) based on the type of tire, and/or the conditions expected. (3.1 controls and equipment) in this section, there is also a notation; 'the driver is responsible for the correct tire pressures for all tires on the vehicle.' This feature is visible, but locked by the manufacturer so that it is not accessible to any owner, or the Volkswagen dealer. My efforts to have access to the TPMS preset pressures as described in the owners manual (or) to at least have the TPMS more closely follow the federal standards (49 cfr parts 571 and 585) have been denied by Volkswagen and/or its representatives, with the decision final. With the system designed as it is, the TPMS telltale light is continuously illuminated under all driving conditions, making this mandated safety device completely ineffective for its intended purpose. Volkswagen said that if I don't like the system, my only option is to turn it off. This is not a complaint about my dealer. They would like to help me and others with this problem.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA