What's the difference between FTM and TPM?
05-25-2007, 02:47 AM
#1
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Boston, MA USA
Posts: 925
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My LCI manual describes both a Flat Tire Monitor system and a Tire Pressure Monitor system. Do these cars have both, or do they have one or the other? Is it a RFT vs non-RFT thing? Is there really any differnce between the two systems? 
05-25-2007, 03:18 AM
#2
Senior Members
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by hinckley' post='428181' date='May 25 2007, 05:47 AM
My LCI manual describes both a Flat Tire Monitor system and a Tire Pressure Monitor system. Do these cars have both, or do they have one or the other? Is it a RFT vs non-RFT thing? Is there really any differnce between the two systems?
I think...
FTM : Flat tire monitor detects 'flat tire' when the tire is damaged or flat from damage
TPM : tire pressure monitor detects 'tire pressure' when the tire is inflated-good in shape / not damaged
05-25-2007, 04:15 AM
#3
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New Orleans, LA USA
Posts: 4,672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: E90 M3
Model Year: 2011
Originally Posted by aqkhan6us' post='428184' date='May 25 2007, 06:18 AM
I think...
FTM : Flat tire monitor detects 'flat tire' when the tire is damaged or flat from damage
TPM : tire pressure monitor detects 'tire pressure' when the tire is inflated-good in shape / not damaged
FTM : Flat tire monitor detects 'flat tire' when the tire is damaged or flat from damage
TPM : tire pressure monitor detects 'tire pressure' when the tire is inflated-good in shape / not damaged
In the TPM system, there are sensors on each tire that actually monitors each tires pressure. This system will also display on the iDrive which tire is low/flat, something not done in the older FTM system. In the FTM system you simply get a warning that you have a flat tire without the system telling you which tire.
05-25-2007, 01:46 PM
#4
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Boston, MA USA
Posts: 925
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by kscarrol' post='428193' date='May 25 2007, 08:15 AM
A little more detail. The FTM came on older models and was a fairly simple tool. By using sensors in car for the anti-lock braking system, the computer would monitor the rate of spin of each of the four wheels. When a tire looses pressure, the diameter of the wheel gets smaller causing the wheel to spin faster. The sensor picks this up and warns of a flat tire.
In the TPM system, there are sensors on each tire that actually monitors each tires pressure. This system will also display on the iDrive which tire is low/flat, something not done in the older FTM system. In the FTM system you simply get a warning that you have a flat tire without the system telling you which tire.
In the TPM system, there are sensors on each tire that actually monitors each tires pressure. This system will also display on the iDrive which tire is low/flat, something not done in the older FTM system. In the FTM system you simply get a warning that you have a flat tire without the system telling you which tire.
05-25-2007, 02:23 PM
#5
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New Orleans, LA USA
Posts: 4,672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: E90 M3
Model Year: 2011
Originally Posted by hinckley' post='428341' date='May 25 2007, 04:46 PM
Thanks - that all makes sense. I think that I must have had the FTM on my 04 E60 because when I did get a warning, it was not specific about which tire. I'm presuming/hoping that my LCI E60 has the more advanced TPM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post