TPMS Question
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: United States
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 535
Model Year: 2010
TPMS Question
Does this really work???? I installed new tires about 2 months ago and put in tire pressure 33/36. Drover about 2K miles over a period of 2 months and never got any TPMS warning. So today I go to check the pressure again and it is is a 28/31??? Why did I not get a warning?? Yes I did do the TPMS reset after every air check etc. Any ideas how this works in my car?? I cannot see any pressure reading for sure... I have no errors and the car is clean... Any thoughts or ideas??
#5
New Members
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Gilbert AZ
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2010 528i
I think they read or trigger a low tire when one or more has changed vs the other tired. If they all stay in range of each other it will not trigger.
If the batteries are dead in any or all of them you will get a malfunction warning and it will not show green on any tired in idrive
Let the air out of ONE tire and see what happens...
If the batteries are dead in any or all of them you will get a malfunction warning and it will not show green on any tired in idrive
Let the air out of ONE tire and see what happens...
#7
Members
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Belgium
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: BMW 525dA 2007 pre-LCI.
Model Year: 2007
If you have the european system then the system works via ABS sensors detecting difference in wheel RPM's between all 4. So it doesn't detect if all 4 loose the same amount of air. I would expect the system using sensors in the wheel would, otherwise there no advantage.
Anyone know why the different systems are used ? Is it not allowed to use the ABS sensors in the US ?
Anyone know why the different systems are used ? Is it not allowed to use the ABS sensors in the US ?
#8
Members
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SC
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i2008 535i Monaco Blue
PP, SP, SAT w/paddles, AS, CA, L7,
NAV, PDC, Heated F Seats, SIRIUS,
iPod+Aux, Bamboo Anthracite Wood Trim
BMWs use the same system in the US and Europe. Older cars use the ABS and have no sensors in the wheels/tires. TPMS (=RDS in Europe) uses individual sensors in all 4 wheels and is installed in cars from about 2007 on.
#9
Members
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Belgium
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: BMW 525dA 2007 pre-LCI.
Model Year: 2007
Mine has the ABS system. Its pre-LCI 2007 car.
Proof.
Look in RealOEM.
2009 550i. In USA you can see the sensors mentioned of the wheel. If you select the european one there are no sensors of the wheel mention.
Links :
European :
RealOEM.com * BMW E60N 550i BMW LA wheel/double spoke 116
US :
RealOEM.com * BMW E60N 550i BMW LA wheel/double spoke 116
So yes BMW uses 2 different systems on the E60. Still don't know why. Is the ABS system not good enough for the US ?
Last edited by tom_il; 08-23-2013 at 09:53 AM.
#10
Senior Members
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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
Model Year: 2012
TPMS uses the in-wheel sensors and all wheels operate independently and have nothing to do with the ABS system. My 08 535i only showed air loss if it was below 5-6 psi or more and came on a number of times during my ownership. It would only show the individual tire that was at fault.
FTM (Flat Tire Monitor) does not use in-wheel sensors but relies solely on the ABS system. It typically only indicates a problem only if the tire is virtually flat, especially with run-flats that maintain their shape. The FTM senses when one (or more) tires is rotating at a different speed from the others (just like ABS).
My F10 has FTM (BMW Canada is cheap) while my retired E60 had TPMS.
The FTM only came on when my run-flat tire was completely flat.
IMO, the TPMS is the best system as long as the in-wheel sensors are working.
FTM (Flat Tire Monitor) does not use in-wheel sensors but relies solely on the ABS system. It typically only indicates a problem only if the tire is virtually flat, especially with run-flats that maintain their shape. The FTM senses when one (or more) tires is rotating at a different speed from the others (just like ABS).
My F10 has FTM (BMW Canada is cheap) while my retired E60 had TPMS.
The FTM only came on when my run-flat tire was completely flat.
IMO, the TPMS is the best system as long as the in-wheel sensors are working.
Last edited by Gilgorm; 08-22-2013 at 02:37 PM.