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TPMS - how do I know if I have it?

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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 06:53 AM
  #1  
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Bought a set of 172s with tires. Seller said they don't come with TPMS but told me my 124s didn't have it either because "they don't have a metal sensor outside the air valve".
Last week, my front right tire lost some air because I rarely drive my car and was sitting in my garage. So I had a warning sign from the dash saying I have a flat tire.
So do I have a TPMS on my wheels or not?

Please help.

Thanks a million.
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 07:02 AM
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If your car is older than 2007 you probably don't have it. Prior to 2007 our cars had FTM - which is a completely different system (no wheel sensors needed).

You (and I) have FTM, which has a sensor located on the suspension that measures the wheels rotation to detect a loss of air.
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 07:03 AM
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My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
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MY07+: tpm

MY07>: ftm

with either you could reset the warning via iDrive.


I would bet you have FTM...

Does your current 124's have rubber or metal valve stems

rubber = ftm

metal = tpm
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 07:14 AM
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My Ride: 2012 535i X-driveSpace Grey/Black Dakota, Fineline Anthracite Trim; Executive Package (Rear View, Lumbar, Nav, Voice, SIRIUS, HiFi Pro) Technology Package (Hi Beam Assist, Lane Departure, Blind Spot Detection, Surround View) BMW Apps (Apps, Smart Pho
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What year do you have?
If you have standard rubber valve covers then you do NOT have TPMS with in-tire sensors. If you have metal valve covers on the outside (rather large and pewter coloured) then you DO have in-tire sensors. I believe only 2008 models have in-tire sensors. All other years utilize the ABS brake sensors to determine the rotation of each tire. If a tire loses air, the rotation is different from the others and the sensors trigger. I have TPMS in-tire but I believe other systems are called FTM (Flat Tire Monitor) and do basically the same job for less cost. Your seller is correct about his description and you have one system or the other.
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 07:43 AM
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Wow!

Thank you very much.
This forum not only gives me entertainment (from reading post like 140mph on a 40mph zone thread).
I also learn something new everyday.

Someday, I hope I will be able to contribute something here.

Thanks again!
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 07:49 AM
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My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
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Originally Posted by 545iBMW
Wow!

Thank you very much.
This forum not only gives me entertainment (from reading post like 140mph on a 40mph zone thread).
I also learn something new everyday.

Someday, I hope I will be able to contribute something here.

Thanks again!
you can always start with

https://5series.net/donate/

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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 07:58 AM
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Originally Posted by GENEaTALS
you can always start with

https://5series.net/donate/


Definitely do that as soon as I unload my old wheels.
Thanks!
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 07:59 AM
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Originally Posted by GENEaTALS
you can always start with

https://5series.net/donate/


+1000 I have learned so much from this forum about my car (much of it from reading Gene's posts ), tips, tricks, features I didn't know I had. This is the best place to be for our cars.
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