matteo_sky5

Safrane ABS and Steering Issues

Hi, I have a 2000 Renault Safrane with a gasoline engine. Recently, the tire pressure low warning light came on. Along with that, the ABS lamp is also lit, the steering wheel vibrates, and it feels like I need to put in way more effort when steering. Could it be a punctured tire, or does it sound like something else?

4 comment(s)

I had similar symptoms on my old Opel Astra, but without the ABS light. The low tire pressure warning and the heavy steering made me think it was a slow puncture. Have you checked the tire pressure with a tire gauge, and are all the tires inflated to the correct pressure? A defective valve can definitely cause pressure loss.

Thanks for the quick reply! I did check the pressure in all tires, and one was indeed significantly lower than the others. But could a simple valve issue really cause all these symptoms at once?

Yes, a faulty valve leaking air will cause the tire pressure to drop, which leads to the warning light. The lower pressure will also make steering harder and can cause vibrations. The ABS light might be related to the difference in wheel speed due to the under-inflated tire; some systems are sensitive to that. Best to get the valve checked and replaced by a tire shop. It's a relatively cheap fix, but driving with significantly different tire pressures isn't safe.

Thanks a lot! It looks like you were right. I took it to a local workshop, and they found a defective valve in the tire. They replaced it, inflated the tires, and the ABS light went off. The total repair cost was 280€. Appreciate the help!

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