I am the new owner of a US spec 2008 550i - I'm trying to learn how to use it!

I do have some questions...

Everything I've read implies that a 2008 should have the TPMS system, with senders in the wheels. All I see on iDrive is a Flat Tire Monitor screen. The wheel valve caps direct me to reset the FTM system after filling. I've done this, and it appears to work. I'd rather have a Tire Pressure Monitor System, I think. Any thoughts?

I've seen the thread on adding OEM HD radio after the fact, and it looks very involved (and expensive, just for the additional module). No easier way out there?

I've decided I need to move much further away from work....

Ned

 

Either the FTM and TPMS were on 2008s (check your manual). My retired 08 535i had TPMS and did indeed have the sensors mounted on the inside of the rims. It also included pewter coloured large valve caps (in 2008 at least).
However, both systems provide the same essential results. They both warn of decreased tire pressure.
FTM uses parts of the ABS system to determine the speed of each wheel relative to the others. Since a deflated tire turns at a different speed, the offending wheel can be detected by the FTM. FTM does not measure actual pressure, just large loss of pressure which causes the different wheel speeds.
The TPMS uses the in-wheel sensor to determine a loss of actual pressure and notifies you.
While they are different systems, they do essentially the same job.

 

Early production date 550's had FTM - e.g production date 2005; In about January 2006 TPMS became standard to replace FTM.

I sincerely doubt that any 2008 model year e60s intended for the US market had the "Flat Tire Monitor" system that basically measured each wheel rotation speed to detect when one or more tires were losing air. To wit - my '09/2006 production date 2007 530xi has TPMS ... if your rims have a metal tire valve stem that usually indicates the wheel-mounted sender is there. Is it possible that someone (a previous owner) fitted wheels w/o the senders?? In that case iDrive will alert to an error.

 

My 2007 550i has FTM
It was an 06/03 production

 

Update: It does indeed have TPMS, labeled 'TPM' in iDrive. I for some reason expected it to show individual tire pressures on the display.

Ned