Winter Tires and TPS

Bluesea Bimmer · 05-27-2012, 02:40 PM

I just bought a 2009 Z4 /Sports Package/Premium Package.

It is my daily driver (I live in Nashville, TN) so I will be switching to winter wheels/tires in November (BMW original equipment package - run flats)

My question: What is the impact on the tire pressure monitoring system when I switch to winter wheels and tires ? Do I have to do something to activate the system when the alternate wheels and tires are installed?

Do I have to take it to BMW for the swap?

THANKS and I am looking forward to being part of this group.

Auraraptor · 05-27-2012, 05:34 PM

You will need to swap the TPM valve stems to your winter wheels, or buy new stems/monitors for those wheels.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 05-27-2012, 06:16 PM

Unfortunately what Auraraptor posted is correct in the US your TPM system is part of the valve steam and swaping it is not recommended (from summer to winter wheels). So a new set would be required for the winter wheels they are quite pricey. If you get the set order it from Tire Rack.

I think if you mount your winter set without it your TPM alarm light will be on all the time. The disadvantage here of course would be to never know if you actually do have a problem or not.

My car is a Canadian delivery, in Canada our TPM system is external to the wheels (i.e. not part of the tire valve.

Your US system is better since it will point to the wheel in question that is low on pressure or that may be flat. Our Canadian system would just sound the alarm and one would have to check each wheel for air pressure.

Bluesea Bimmer · 05-28-2012, 06:36 AM

Thanks very much for the responses to my post.

The tires I am looking at are from a 2006 with TPM sensors. Based on web research, it look likes 2006 - 2009 TPM systems used the same sensors, so if I get the tires, they should work out well.

I also confirmed the sensors are available at TireRack and other places - about $40 each, which is not bad at all. (Just in case...)

Thanks again!

mstevens · 05-28-2012, 11:50 AM

You will need to link the sensors each time you swap wheels.

The iDrive display will let you know when you need to do this and lead you through the process, which involves pressing a button.

05-27-2012, 02:40 PM	#1
Bluesea Bimmer BMW Junkie 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 Deep Sea Blue Metallic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (0)	Winter Tires and TPS I just bought a 2009 Z4 /Sports Package/Premium Package. It is my daily driver (I live in Nashville, TN) so I will be switching to winter wheels/tires in November (BMW original equipment package - run flats) My question: What is the impact on the tire pressure monitoring system when I switch to winter wheels and tires ? Do I have to do something to activate the system when the alternate wheels and tires are installed? Do I have to take it to BMW for the swap? THANKS and I am looking forward to being part of this group.
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05-27-2012, 05:34 PM	#2
Auraraptor Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 215 Posts Drives: Exx Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: North iTrader: (0)	You will need to swap the TPM valve stems to your winter wheels, or buy new stems/monitors for those wheels.
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05-27-2012, 06:16 PM	#3
Mr. ///M3 RD Happy Camper 613 Rep 7,869 Posts Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends : Join Date: May 2010 Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 1969 Restored Merce ... [7.50] 2011 M3 Coupe TRADED [7.34] 1987 BMW 535is [1.00] Cars from the Past [6.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [9.59]	Unfortunately what Auraraptor posted is correct in the US your TPM system is part of the valve steam and swaping it is not recommended (from summer to winter wheels). So a new set would be required for the winter wheels they are quite pricey. If you get the set order it from Tire Rack. I think if you mount your winter set without it your TPM alarm light will be on all the time. The disadvantage here of course would be to never know if you actually do have a problem or not. My car is a Canadian delivery, in Canada our TPM system is external to the wheels (i.e. not part of the tire valve. Your US system is better since it will point to the wheel in question that is low on pressure or that may be flat. Our Canadian system would just sound the alarm and one would have to check each wheel for air pressure. __________________ Cheers, Rolf-Dieter Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found
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05-28-2012, 06:36 AM	#4
Bluesea Bimmer BMW Junkie 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 Deep Sea Blue Metallic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the responses! Thanks very much for the responses to my post. The tires I am looking at are from a 2006 with TPM sensors. Based on web research, it look likes 2006 - 2009 TPM systems used the same sensors, so if I get the tires, they should work out well. I also confirmed the sensors are available at TireRack and other places - about $40 each, which is not bad at all. (Just in case...) Thanks again!
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05-28-2012, 11:50 AM	#5
mstevens Lieutenant 119 Rep 512 Posts Drives: 2020 Z4 M4Misano Blue Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New Hampshire & Cozumel, Mexico iTrader: (0)	You will need to link the sensors each time you swap wheels. The iDrive display will let you know when you need to do this and lead you through the process, which involves pressing a button. __________________ 2004 E85 Z4 3.0 Sport - Sold to brother \| 2004 E83 X3 xDrive3.0i - Gone \| 2011 E89 Z4 35is - Gone \| 2011 F25 X3 xDrive35i - Gone \| 2014 E89 Z4 E89 35is - Gone \| 2014 F25 X3 xDrive 30i X3 - Gone \| 2017 F83 M4 Cabriolet - Gone \| 2017 F25 X3 xDrive30i - Gone 2020 G29 Z4 M40i Misanoblau \| 2020 G01 M40i Phytonicblau Casa Suzana, vacation rental villa in Cozumel, Mexico
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