Help!!-Run Flats-Warning??

[nwbie329]

Hi guys, hope someone can help me. Got in the car this morning and the alarm signaled that there was a problem with the tire, but also said could need to be reset. When I went into the idrive, the "tps" says tire low, and all 4 tires on the picture are gold. Today was the first real cold morning in a while, so i was wondering, could the pressure be off from that, or do i need to bring it in, new to this whole idrive thing and the runflats. I didn't hit anything, and pretty sure didn't run over anything, but i fuess you never really know. Any help is appreciated, thanks!!!!

[seferiad11]

search on tpms sensor and you will see it's a fairly common annoyance.

[Grumpa72]

Perhaps the threshold that triggers your TPMS is very narrow? I hope you checked tire pressures before you drove off.

Gary

[nwbie329]

hi, i did check the tires, whcih seemed fine. there were no problems lastnight, left the car around 10:30. called the dealership and they said it may just need to be reset and to bring it in. my problem is that it says, "tire low", but all 4 are yellow, why doesn't it distinguish the problem tire??? thanks again for all the help!

[seferiad11]

hi, i did check the tires, whcih seemed fine. there were no problems lastnight, left the car around 10:30. called the dealership and they said it may just need to be reset and to bring it in. my problem is that it says, "tire low", but all 4 are yellow, why doesn't it distinguish the problem tire??? thanks again for all the help!

If there IS a tire low, it does indicate which one is low. That message seems consistent with your symptom (tire low or tires low). If tpms senses two tires low, not sure what message it gives you, however.

[The HACK]

Don't you guys have a tire pressure gauge? Check the pressure and see if it's indeed low. If it's low, check for punctures and if no punctures, re-inflate. Tires will lose ~1 psi of pressure for every 10 degrees drop in ambient temp, and around 1 psi per month of air will permeate through the porous rubber substance.

Just because it comes with an electronic tire pressure monitoring system doesn't mean you don't have the personal responsibility to check the tires yourselves anymore. It warns you of pressure loss, doesn't mean it's going to re-inflate those tires for you or inspect for punctures for you.

These electronic nannies are making what used to be an IDIOT PROOF process of checking for tire pressure no longer idiot proof.

[nwbie329]

no need to get bitchy. i do check my tires, esp if i see them low. but this being my first bmw, therefore first experience with run flats and idrive, i was just wondering if this was normal. sorry if this was a "stupid" ques for you.

[The HACK]

No need for you to get b*tchy too. This question comes up WAY TOO OFTEN with you E90 folks I feel the need to chime in.

It's simple common sense. Tire pressure warning system tells you you're low on pressure, what's the first thing a sane person with common sense do?Break out the tire pressure gauge and find out which tire is low on pressure and how much lower by, and check for punctures. It's a warning system, not a preventative system. It's not going to magically re-inflate your tires for you or patch the puncture.

This isn't rocket science. These new electronic nannies are taking the common sense out of EVERYONE. Tire pressure checking is basically idiot proof. A trained monkey knows how to do it. Having TPMS and iDrive doesn't mean the most basic of car maintenance is forgotten.

[Arustik1]

this happened to my on my GS (Lexus)...It only happens on cold mornings, it's just because the pressure in 1 or a couple tires goes below the threshold pressure and sets off the sensors.

[Fpeter]

Same thing happened to me yesterday. Was upset because I bought a new tire 3 months ago. Called dealer was told that because we had a drop in temperature same thing happened to a lot of people, told me to check tire pressure, corrected the pressure, reset TPM and everything is fine.

[Fpeter]

By the way I'm new here and to BMW also, so I understand....

[mryakan]

Check this out:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=848593

I too thought it was my fault for not checking the pressure for a while, but as soon as I got the warning, I pulled into a station, got out my gauge and measured. Found one tire to be much lower than others that were slightly below proper pressure. Inflated all to normal pressure then checked in the evening and sure enough the one tire was deflated again. Traced it back to a nail in the tread. Read the thread above for more details also how to reset the system and how it is supposed to work. Read it and let me know if you have further questions.

[lqbmw14]

it happned to me yesterday morning i reset it today its all good

[Mad Dragon]

Having TPMS and iDrive doesn't mean the most basic of car maintenance is forgotten.I blame the 4yr/50k warranty for removing personal responsibility. They assume that since 'everything' is covered, they don't have to bother actually taking care of their cars. Oil low light comes on after several thousand miles? Don't ever check the dipstick (or board computer for you N5x people:stickoutt ). Take it to the dealership and pitch a fit. Out of washer fluid? Demand a free refill. Run out of gas? Have your car towed in as a no-start. Can't figure out how to use one of your car's features*? Screw the owner's manual; let's waste the tech's time.



*I've seen everything from tilting mirrors not working to trunks not opening, simply because switches were in the wrong position.

[mryakan]

I blame the 4yr/50k warranty for removing personal responsibility. They assume that since 'everything' is covered, they don't have to bother actually taking care of their cars. Oil low light comes on after several thousand miles? Don't ever check the dipstick (or board computer for you N5x people:stickoutt ). Take it to the dealership and pitch a fit. Out of washer fluid? Demand a free refill. Run out of gas? Have your car towed in as a no-start. Can't figure out how to use one of your car's features*? Screw the owner's manual; let's waste the tech's time.



*I've seen everything from tilting mirrors not working to trunks not opening, simply because switches were in the wrong position.
As Homer Simpson said "It's funny because it is true". But then this is what these forums are for, so some can embarrass themselves and other can have a good laugh. :D

P.S. I have embarrassed myself once or twice but hopefully some had a good laugh in the process ;)

[Grumpa72]

I blame the 4yr/50k warranty for removing personal responsibility. They assume that since 'everything' is covered, they don't have to bother actually taking care of their cars. Oil low light comes on after several thousand miles? Don't ever check the dipstick (or board computer for you N5x people:stickoutt ). Take it to the dealership and pitch a fit. Out of washer fluid? Demand a free refill. Run out of gas? Have your car towed in as a no-start. Can't figure out how to use one of your car's features*? Screw the owner's manual; let's waste the tech's time.

*I've seen everything from tilting mirrors not working to trunks not opening, simply because switches were in the wrong position.

I absolutely agree with you on your points but let me add that engineering is actually aiding this problem. I would bet that the engineers think that they are solving our complacency problem with engineering. I think that they CAUSE the problem. Case in point is RFT tires. Yes, we all remember the Bridgestone debacle with Fords a few years ago, but why must the government mandate TPMS? I keep a small compressor in the garage and tire pressure gauges in each car. Another complaint is the lack of a dipstick. Yes, I can check it electronically but what was wrong with the dipstick? It worked for 100 years!

My wife says that she will call for assistance before she changes a tire on her car (no RFTs there). I countered with "why bother with a spare, a jack and the time it takes for someone to respond to your distress?"

My friend was outside of a national parts store while a young lady and the service agent where trying to help her get into her non-BMW car. Seems that the battery in her remote was dead. So, they push this button, that button, pull the battery out and clean the contacts. No go. Then they get ready to call a tow truck before the friend steps up, takes the KEY and unlocks the door - you know, the old fashioned way.

Ok, off my soapbox.
Gary

[The HACK]

Out of washer fluid? Demand a free refill.

Ironically, I've done that.:paranoid:

And asked for new wiper blades too.

[Mad Dragon]

Wiper inserts are covered by warranty. ;)

Washer fluid is not, unless it's with a warranty maintenance service... I think. Our managers flip-flop what we're supposed to do with the damn fluid so often, I don't even know any more.

[mryakan]

Wiper inserts are covered by warranty. ;)

Washer fluid is not, unless it's with a warranty maintenance service... I think. Our managers flip-flop what we're supposed to do with the damn fluid so often, I don't even know any more.
I thought they top it off for free usually as courtesy, but then I wouldn't be surprised if they charge for it as some nickel and diming seems to take over sometimes.

[Arustik1]

Just happened to me last night..about to go check the pressures and see whether or not I will have a little problem.

[cemman]

I have to chime in here too. I too have become a hapless idiot. In the good old pre-runflat tire days, you could look at your tires as a starting point to determine if one of them was not like the others. Now with runflats, you have to check all of them to see which is low. Last week, the warning came on and I couldn't determine by looking which one was low. Again, since I've gotten lazy, I took the car to my local runflat approved tire dealer. He inspected them all and informed me that my right rear had glass in it which caused a slow leak. I told him I was surprised that glass would puncture the tire. He replied that it was a really big piece. Since these tires are expensive, they don't keep them in stock and he had to order me one. He told me that since it was a slow leak all I had to do was to keep it inflated and I shouldn't have a problem until the new one came in. When he gave the car back, the warning was still on. I tried to reset it and it stayed on. I asked him if he had added air to the tire, and he told me it didn't need any. Obviously this didn't make sense so when I got home and did what I should have done in the first place and checked the pressures, it turns out that my left front was low. I added a little air and mysteriously, the warning went off. Needless to say, I canceled the order on the right rear tire. So I openly admit that technology has made me stupid and lazy.

[mryakan]

I have to chime in here too. I too have become a hapless idiot. In the good old pre-runflat tire days, you could look at your tires as a starting point to determine if one of them was not like the others. Now with runflats, you have to check all of them to see which is low. Last week, the warning came on and I couldn't determine by looking which one was low. Again, since I've gotten lazy, I took the car to my local runflat approved tire dealer. He inspected them all and informed me that my right rear had glass in it which caused a slow leak. I told him I was surprised that glass would puncture the tire. He replied that it was a really big piece. Since these tires are expensive, they don't keep them in stock and he had to order me one. He told me that since it was a slow leak all I had to do was to keep it inflated and I shouldn't have a problem until the new one came in. When he gave the car back, the warning was still on. I tried to reset it and it stayed on. I asked him if he had added air to the tire, and he told me it didn't need any. Obviously this didn't make sense so when I got home and did what I should have done in the first place and checked the pressures, it turns out that my left front was low. I added a little air and mysteriously, the warning went off. Needless to say, I canceled the order on the right rear tire. So I openly admit that technology has made me stupid and lazy.
But you still have a leaking punctured tire right? You don't plan on replacing it? If so, are you just patching it?

[nwbie329]

hi guys, thank you fpeter, mryakan and cemman-for understanding what/why i was concerned!!! i called the dealer to ask about this and they told me to bring it in, which i did. turns out the tires were ok, and that the system was "off" for some reason, the guy told me that they've had a few complaints about this recently. true or not, i don't know. thanks again for all the help, i appreciate it!

[cemman]

But you still have a leaking punctured tire right? You don't plan on replacing it? If so, are you just patching it?

No, I don't have a leak at all. It's been more that 2 days and all tires are holding air just fine. I don't think the tire guy new what he was doing. Clearly he didn't check the pressure. My other clue was that he indicated that the slow leak did not result in a loss of pressure. Now, I'm not the smartest guy in the world, but I'm pretty sure that if there is a leak, my pressure would go down.

[mryakan]

No, I don't have a leak at all. It's been more that 2 days and all tires are holding air just fine. I don't think the tire guy new what he was doing. Clearly he didn't check the pressure. My other clue was that he indicated that the slow leak did not result in a loss of pressure. Now, I'm not the smartest guy in the world, but I'm pretty sure that if there is a leak, my pressure would go down.
lol, you'd figure. Check it often though, it may be a very very slow leak. I thought mine was not a leak till I check in like 12 hrs and found that indeed it is a leak. Or just run water/soap on the tire and turn it around looking for any signs of leak. Mine was making a hissing noise on that rainy day, so it was easy to pinpoint. Good Luck.

P.S. I am still waiting for my replacement tire, which reminds me, I should call my dealer now and see if they received it.

[Beer Goggles]

Everybody should watch the movie Idoicracy to see how the future is going to be...funny movie that has a very sarcastic view on the future.

I have to agree, if a light comes on....CHECK it. You realistically should check tire pressure once a week on every car regardless if it has an idiot light or not.

[mryakan]

Everybody should watch the movie Idoicracy to see how the future is going to be...funny movie that has a very sarcastic view on the future.

I have to agree, if a light comes on....CHECK it. You realistically should check tire pressure once a week on every car regardless if it has an idiot light or not.
That movie was a good idea with bad execution. Also once a week is obsessive, once a month or before long roadtrips is usually sufficient IMO.

[cemman]

Look, your asking the guy who was too lazy to check the pressure even when the warning light came on. I also think weekly is overkill. Besides, I have 8,000 miles on this set and don't expect to get much more than 10,000 more.

[Mad Dragon]

Everybody should watch the movie Idoicracy to see how the future is going to be...funny movie that has a very sarcastic view on the future.

I have to agree, if a light comes on....CHECK it. You realistically should check tire pressure once a week on every car regardless if it has an idiot light or not.I had a brand-new X5 4.8i come in today with the following complaint: "warning light came on" :confused

[Beer Goggles]

I know a friends wife took her car in because the light was on...all 4 tires were very low on air. I think the light should read "CHECK PRESSURE" and the car should come with a good pressure gauge, this way it's a light to do something not just "warning"

[SocratesBMW]

Just wow. My light came on today as well. Stopped at gas station, checked pressure, added air, drove away, light went off. Amazing!

[Beer Goggles]

Help a light just went on in my car. It looks like a door and is red. I scheduled an appointment with my dealer!!!

[Mad Dragon]

removed id 10t module. programmed vehicle

[mryakan]

Help a light just went on in my car. It looks like a door and is red. I scheduled an appointment with my dealer!!!
:lol, I wouldn't be surprised if this was an actual service call. Heard worse.