I want to purchase a new set of TPM for a set of summer wheels and tires. I am going to swap between factory and aftermarket for certain seasons so it makes sense to buy a new set of monitors. I am wondering if the new set of monitors need to be programmed with my cars system....

Anyone have info? Another person said that the car does not have tpm sensors it goes by rotation and speed.... any advice would help.

I have an 04 525i non-sport!

THANK YOU!

 

For a simple test, go into iDrive menus and see if your system is titled FTM or TPM. If your iDrive shows FTM, you have the older system like me (seems likely with your '04 car). If it says TPM, then you have the newer Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) as opposed to the Flat Tire Monitor (FTM). The TPM has the actual sensors in each tire while the FTM uses the Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) sensor to detect wheel spin and determine if a tire is loosing air by the speed of rotation. FTM = nothing to buy for summer or winter tires, just reset FTM when you change out. TPM = you need to buy the sensors for each set of tires.

 

says FTM... thank you guys! Just saved me a few hundred bucks! So when I swap the wheels what do I do?

 

Put on the new tires, set the proper tire pressure and with the car on and in Park, Reset the FTM in the iDrive. You will then have to drive for a while for the system to register the rotation speed of the tires. The system will then say "Active" in the iDrive. Be aware that this could take a while. Some have reported 15 minutes or so of driving to reset and get the system active.

 

in my experience before, it has taken up to at least 30 mins of stopping and driving for the resetting of the FTM. i guess along with traffic, this is where patience comes in