Losing Air
07-18-2008 | 10:54 AM
#1
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From: Texas
I have the sport package with the 18" wheels and Bridgestone Potenza RFT's. My quesiton/problem is: Do any of you keep getting the tire monitor system yelling that you have a flat, only to find out that one of your four tires has lost some air? I have not gotten a flat, damaged a tire, picked up a nail, etc on any of my tires. They just randomly lose air. It happens about every 3 weeks or so and it will be a different tire each time. I'm not talking about 1 or 2 lbs either, but 10 or more lbs. It is almost like the bead came unseated for a moment and some air escaped. This morning, it was the driver's front. Last time it was the passenger rear. It is starting to make me wonder if something is wrong. Anyone else experiencing this problem?
07-18-2008 | 10:57 AM
#2
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You are absolutely positively sure there is nothing wrong with any of the tires? What I know some people have done is fill up the tire to 2 - 3 psi lower than recommended, set the FTM, and then add another 2-3 psi. This way they'll have to lose about 6 psi or so before the system will come on
Michael
Michael
Originally Posted by Tex735' post='627524' date='Jul 18 2008, 11:54 AM
I have the sport package with the 18" wheels and Bridgestone Potenza RFT's. My quesiton/problem is: Do any of you keep getting the tire monitor system yelling that you have a flat, only to find out that one of your four tires has lost some air? I have not gotten a flat, damaged a tire, picked up a nail, etc on any of my tires. They just randomly lose air. It happens about every 3 weeks or so and it will be a different tire each time. This morning, it was the driver's front. Last time it was the passenger rear. It is starting to make me wonder if something is wrong. Anyone else experiencing this problem?
07-18-2008 | 11:01 AM
#3
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Originally Posted by Tex735' post='627524' date='Jul 18 2008, 09:54 PM
I have the sport package with the 18" wheels and Bridgestone Potenza RFT's. My quesiton/problem is: Do any of you keep getting the tire monitor system yelling that you have a flat, only to find out that one of your four tires has lost some air? I have not gotten a flat, damaged a tire, picked up a nail, etc on any of my tires. They just randomly lose air. It happens about every 3 weeks or so and it will be a different tire each time. I'm not talking about 1 or 2 lbs either, but 10 or more lbs. It is almost like the bead came unseated for a moment and some air escaped. This morning, it was the driver's front. Last time it was the passenger rear. It is starting to make me wonder if something is wrong. Anyone else experiencing this problem?
Do you have OEM BMW wheels?
We'll start with these....
07-18-2008 | 11:23 AM
#4
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My Ride: 04 545i - Titanium Silver/Black, Sport pkg, Comfort Seats w/ Lumbar, Premium Sound, power rear sunshade, Adaptive Xenon Headlights, Steptronic, Park Distance Control, Fold down rear seats w/ski bag, Aux jack, 6-disk changer, puddle lamps...
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If you're loosing that much air consistantly and are absolutely sure the tires are fine, then take it to a reputable shop and have them pull the wheels and leak test them in water (you could do this yourself if you're really bored). If no defects exist in the tires, your leak could be an improperly set bead, leaking valve stem, or even possibly cracked rims (my favorite on 124-styled wheels - had 2 with this issue, same symptoms as yourself. Multiple fissures on inner rim, radiating toward center of wheel). Let us know what happens. Hopefully it's benign.
07-18-2008 | 11:24 AM
#5
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From: SoCal
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+1 definitely explore these options before tricking the system. 
Originally Posted by advancedlogic' post='627546' date='Jul 18 2008, 12:23 PM
If you're loosing that much air consistantly and are absolutely sure the tires are fine, then take it to a reputable shop and have them pull the wheels and leak test them in water (you could do this yourself if you're really bored). If no defects exist in the tires, your leak could be an improperly set bead, leaking valve stem, or even possibly cracked rims (my favorite on 124-styled wheels - had 2 with this issue, same symptoms as yourself. Multiple fissures on inner rim, radiating toward center of wheel). Let us know what happens. Hopefully it's benign.
07-18-2008 | 11:41 AM
#6
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fractured wheels maybe? should go get them checked if you lose that much air
07-18-2008 | 11:48 AM
#7
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Hi,
I did encounter that kind of problem with my first E60 (2007) equiped with OEM 135M 18'.
The problem came out the runflat Dunlop tires (all 4) losing about 220 gr of air/week
The tires have been replaced by conventionnal ones (non-RFT) and the problem disappeared.
Now, your problem might have another origin (I don't want to relight a fight btw RFT & non-RFT fans), I was just sharing my personal experience...
I did encounter that kind of problem with my first E60 (2007) equiped with OEM 135M 18'.
The problem came out the runflat Dunlop tires (all 4) losing about 220 gr of air/week
The tires have been replaced by conventionnal ones (non-RFT) and the problem disappeared.
Now, your problem might have another origin (I don't want to relight a fight btw RFT & non-RFT fans), I was just sharing my personal experience...
07-18-2008 | 11:58 AM
#8
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I experienced the same issue on my 124's with RFT. Never got to the bottom of it. Not sure if it was tire or rim. The weird thing it it was only one wheel. I heard members mention the 124's are notorious for cracking. Make sure you check it out.
07-18-2008 | 06:06 PM
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+1
... during the past 6 months I've had to adjust (add) tire pressure for one rear tire every 4 weeks or so. I routinely check tire pressure every month and the others are usually within a pound or two of correct [likely temperature at the time causes slight differences]. That one rear is usually 4-6 lbs low. Examined tire for obvious punctures or cuts - none noted. Haven't done a soapy water look around the rim and valve but have a dealer visit next week to check DSC fault message and will have them inspect TPM and rim for faults.
Here's a tricky question > Car is still under warranty and I also have wheel and tire insurance. If the problem is a leaking bead or rim stress crack w/o any obvious damage caused by road situation etc which warranty should incur the cost or repair?
... during the past 6 months I've had to adjust (add) tire pressure for one rear tire every 4 weeks or so. I routinely check tire pressure every month and the others are usually within a pound or two of correct [likely temperature at the time causes slight differences]. That one rear is usually 4-6 lbs low. Examined tire for obvious punctures or cuts - none noted. Haven't done a soapy water look around the rim and valve but have a dealer visit next week to check DSC fault message and will have them inspect TPM and rim for faults. Here's a tricky question > Car is still under warranty and I also have wheel and tire insurance. If the problem is a leaking bead or rim stress crack w/o any obvious damage caused by road situation etc which warranty should incur the cost or repair?