Does your BMW have a tire pressure warning light on? Utilize the steps below to learn how to resolve the issue.
When tire pressure is too low, the BMW tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS, TPM, FTM) is intended to warn the driver. When the tire pressure is 20% below the prescribed pressure, the tire pressure warning light turns on; to turn it off, make sure the tires are properly filled.
The TPM or TPMS light (yellow tire symbol with exclamation point) and a warning message on the Drive Display, along with an audible sound, alert the driver to low tire pressure when a BMW detects a flat tire.
There is a problem with the tire monitoring system if the TPM or TPMS light flashes.
A 20% tire pressure decrease is detected by a BMW Tire Pressure Monitoring System, which then activates a TPM warning to notify the driver. This technology may also go by the names Flat Tire Monitor or FTM on a BMW.
You can be seeing a TPM failure or inactive errors even though the tire pressure is accurate because:
- The TPMS sensor is broken.
- The RDC module is broken
- external obstruction
In This Article...
Why does the TPM not work properly?
Your dashboard will intermittently flash the text TPM malfunction in yellow lights when there is a TPM issue. What does this signify, though, and how can it be fixed? The presence of a TPM malfunction alert indicates a problem with the tires.
The TPM failure light could also indicate a few additional problems with the tires that use it in addition to its primary purpose of alerting the driver to a tire pressure problem.
Tire pressure is low as a result of frequent use – Tire pressure may decrease as a result of frequent wear and tear. Our tires gradually lose the air they contain as we travel down the road. Tire pressure should be checked every two months, according to mechanics and car designers. Once a month, check the tire pressure if your BMW has older tires.
Any petrol station that also sells air should be used to check the tire pressure. Check the tires for the PSI number if you haven’t already. Fill the tires with air using that number.
Low tire pressure because of a hole or other damage. If you unintentionally run over any sharp objects on the road, your tire pressure may drop rapidly. The rubber of the tire can be pierced by rocks on the freeway. Because homeless and irresponsible individuals drop or smash their glass bottles onto the street and fail to pick them up, many streets contain glass along the curbs.
You have two options if the tires on your BMW suffer holes or punctures. You can bring your car to a mechanic, who will then seal the holes. When the tires are less than a year old, the majority of car owners repair them.
However, if the tires are worn out and need to be replaced anyhow, you can buy new tires and have them installed. There is no need to pay someone to repair your tires if you haven’t changed them in three to five years. Time to purchase a fresh set.
There is a calibration issue, but neither the tires nor the pressure are broken. Every now and again, the tire pressure needs to be recalibrated for the computer. Your dashboard will flash with the TPM malfunction light on it if it has been some time since the last calibration.
The tire pressure is good, but there is a problem with the sensor. When a sensor has a problem, it may send inaccurate data back to the car’s computer.
Because the sensor is faulty, the computer is receiving bad data from the sensor. You can therefore reset the TPM system and all the data. If it doesn’t work, you’ll need to have the tire sensor replaced. You’ll probably need to replace the tire as a result.
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Just a friendly reminder that the valve transmitter batteries need to be replaced in roughly 8 to 10 years. This appears as a tire pressure indication that repeatedly fails.
If you have access to a tire bead breaker, you can do these things yourself. each takes roughly 30 minutes. Clamp the tire portion near to the valve after breaking the bead. Remove, swap out, and then reinstall the transmitter and valve.
Recommendation: If your original metal valves are still in working order, use these rather than the cheap plastic valves that are sometimes provided with transmitters. or get new metal ones.
I completed all four at once since if one battery dies, the others will follow quickly.
How can I tell if my BMW’s TPMS sensor is malfunctioning?
The TPMS warning light on your dashboard is the most typical sign of a damaged tire pressure sensor. Other oblique indicators like low tire pressure or inaccurate dashboard warnings may also be present.
A sensor is an electrical component, hence it has a chance to degrade over time. On top of that, the performance of the sensor might be significantly impacted by an erratic power supply, dirt, heat, and dust. When this occurs, the car undergoes certain noticable alterations.
Here is a more thorough list of the three signs that a tire pressure sensor is malfunctioning.
What results in TPMS failure?
Depending on how many kilometers a vehicle is driven, the service life can change (the more it is driven, the more frequently the sensors generate a signal and drain their batteries).
Tire pressure sensors that have reached their end of the line are to blame for the majority of TPMS failures. The lifespan of the batteries in tire pressure sensors is normally between 5 and 7 years. Depending on how many kilometers a vehicle is driven, the service life can change (the more it is driven, the more frequently the sensors generate a signal and drain their batteries). Additionally, rust on or inside the valve stem might cause tire pressure sensors to malfunction. This has been a significant issue with several brands, most notably Toyota, and has led to valve stems snapping or coming off, which causes a tire to go flat suddenly—exactly the type of thing that TPMS sensors were meant to prevent!
Sensors with metal stems are more susceptible to corrosion than those with rubber stems. A TPMS system can also malfunction due to TPMS module, keyless entry, and wiring issues, however these issues are considerably less frequent. When a tire pressure sensor malfunctions, the TPMS system should recognize it and illuminate or flash the TPMS warning light.
Unfortunately, a lot of drivers are unaware of what the TPMS warning light looks like or indicates, thus it can be disregarded. As long as the tires are keeping normal air pressure, the car is still safe to drive, but without the TPMS system, there will be no low tire pressure alert if a tire begins to go flat.
TPMS sensors should typically be replaced when the vehicle needs a new set of tires, which is usually after 5 to 7 years or 60,000 to 80,000 miles. The TPMS sensors might still be working when the first set of tires is changed, but it’s unlikely that the batteries will still have enough life in them to power a second set of tires under normal driving circumstances. The types and designs of TPMS sensors vary, and some original equipment sensors can be very pricey. A “universal” replacement sensor that may be configured to function in a wide range of applications is currently offered by the majority of aftermarket sensor suppliers. These sensors’ electronics include a variety of protocols, allowing them to function in a wide range of applications. While some sensors operate at a 125 KHz frequency, others operate at 309 MHz, 433 MHz, or other frequencies. Although they will need a TPMS service tool to program the sensors for the application and to reset the system, professional installer customers will find it easier to install a universal sensor and your inventory requirements will be reduced.
No. The actual architecture of the sensor shouldn’t matter as long as it produces the same signal frequency and broadcasts the same information as the original. While universal TPMS sensors could be different from the original design, direct replacement TPMS sensors are identical to the original (same fit and function). A rubber valve stem sensor can be used to replace large TPMS sensors that are sometimes positioned in the drop center of wheels with a steel band.
How is a TPM malfunction fixed?
Get rid of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Choose Settings (the gear icon) from the Start menu, then Update & Security, Windows Security, and Device Security. Select Security processor information > Security processor troubleshooting from the Security processor menu. Choose Clear TPM. Try again to activate Microsoft 365 after restarting the device.
Does the BMW TPMS require programming?
Without the necessary information, components, and equipment, maintaining TPMS-equipped automobiles financially can be difficult. There are still many misconceptions concerning TPMS despite all the training programs and technical papers on the topic, and the most common one is the mix-up between vehicle retraining and sensor programming.
The problem is caused by the accessibility of aftermarket TPMS sensor modules that are “programmable,” “universal,” or “cloneable.” Before being inserted in the tire, these sensors need to be programmed with the appropriate protocol/application information for the vehicle, and they then need to be retrained to the vehicle. Unfortunately, several shops skip the crucial relearn stage because they think the sensor programming took care of everything. This misunderstanding may result in complaints from customers and service retries.
Can you operate a vehicle with a TPMS issue?
No, it is not safe to drive with the TPMS Light on. It indicates that one of your tires is either under- or over-inflated. The recommended tire pressure for your vehicle can be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker on the door, trunk, or fuel door. This may result in excessive tire wear, perhaps result in tire failure, and result in a blowout that is hazardous to you and other motorists on the road. For detailed instructions on how to check your TPMS system, make sure to consult your owner’s manual. Different manufacturers may have altered how their TPMS lights activate.
Do I need to replace the TPMS when I change my BMW’s tires?
Although you don’t have to replace your TPMS sensors when you get new tires, doing so if the sensors are more than a few years old is frequently convenient. Older sensors might not live as long as your new tires because the majority of TPMS sensor batteries only last five to 10 years. The trouble of upgrading TPMS sensors in the middle of the tire lifecycle is something that many drivers would rather avoid.
How can I turn off my BMW’s TPMS light?
Click car, vehicle status, tire settings, and tire pressure monitor from the home menu. Select to do a reset when the automobile is stopped and the engine is running. For the reset to be completed, you will need to take a little drive.
How much does a BMW TPMS sensor replacement cost?
Best in Automotive Repair Replacement tire pressure monitor control modules for BMW 328i models typically cost between $597 and $661. Between $245 and $309 is projected to be the cost of labor, while $352 is the cost of the parts.
What may hurt a TPMS sensor?
The sidewall of the tire can snag TPMS sensors fitted to a rim during tire removal. Frequently, this results in harm to the sensor body or the valve stem.
What occurs if TPMS sensors are not replaced?
Customers who ask you to turn off their TPMS light just and leave the underlying problem unattended can put you and your business at unnecessary risk. Without addressing the problem, you are breaking the NHTSA’s “make inoperative” clause, which makes shops legally obligated to disable the TPMS. It is your duty to let the customer know this and to decline service if they don’t want the problem handled properly.
It is strongly advised to replace all sensors at once if a single sensor has reached the end of its useful life. When one sensor fails, the others are likely to follow suit quickly, just like with headlights. The same holds true for replacing an impact sensor or damaged valve stem. Your consumers should be aware of this since it will assist you give their vehicle the finest care possible. They also find it convenient.
The TPMS sensors must always be reactivated and calibrated for drivers who change their tires as the seasons change. If you don’t do this, the car’s TPMS won’t function properly and could turn on the TPMS light.