[torontoman]

Hello friends,

Had a question regarding TPMS for aftermarket wheels for my 2024 X7 M60i. For my Mercedes and Audi vehicles, I never had to purchase TPMS sensors for the aftermarket rims winter set because they worked based on suspension or something according to the different tire shops I have worked with. However, one tire shop told me this is not the case with BMWs and the tire light will go on if TPMS sensors are not equipped on the aftermarket rims.

Could you please confirm if this is correct? Will tire warning light go on the dash if TPMS sensors are not installed in the rims?

Also, is there anything to worry about other than the light? Or will everything run as normal other seeing that annoying light everytime I start the car.

Appreciate all your help and knowledge.

[streborx]

Early TPMSs used indirect measuring schemes, but current TPMSs use pressure sensors inside the wheel/tire assembly at the end of the air valve. TPMS is legally required, and you'll need to purchase a set at either your tire dealer or online. BMW compatible sensors can be found at tpms dot com. My set cost about $180 plus tax & shipping.

[Orient330iNYC]

Yes, you need sensors. BMW stopped using indirect pressure monitoring ( rotational based)around 2007.

I used oe sensors, huf is an oem supplier to bmw
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FB7P9MJ

The bonus of the oe sensors is that they are compatible across many different applications.

[Qsilver7]

If you have the TPM system, then yes you will need to install wheel sensors. As mentioned above, you can get aftermarket compatible sensor for less…especially if you’re installing them in a set of seasonal wheels.

Just an FYI…BMW still uses an indirect and direct tire monitoring system. In markets or countries where the TPM/RDC (direct) system is required by law…then that’s what you get. If it is not required by law or statute…then the TPM system becomes an option (2VB)…and the car will have the FTM/RPA (indirect) tire monitoring system that uses the ABS wheel sensors to calculate tire rotation to determine loss of air.

The US market has required the TPM system for a while…but I have a 2015 f06 that was initially imported to Canada…and it has the FTM/RPA system (no sensors inside the wheels)…so I can be a testament that the indirect system extends beyond 2007.

[r33_RGSport]

I’ve been selling TPMS since 2009.
Many forum members has purchased from me.

Here is link to it.

https://www.rgsportshop.com/index.ph...roduct_id=1004

[PinkNinja400Guy]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Just an FYI…BMW still uses an indirect and direct tire monitoring system. In markets or countries where the TPM/RDC (direct) system is required by law…then that’s what you get. If it is not required by law or statute…then the TPM system becomes an option (2VB)…and the car will have the FTM/RPA (indirect) tire monitoring system that uses the ABS wheel sensors to calculate tire rotation to determine loss of air.

The US market has required the TPM system for a while

My USA 2020 Honda Civic had indirect TPMS, so it's not required by law in the US. BMWUSA chooses to have it anyway, which is nice. Indirect TPMS sucks.

[streborx]

One further note - while the OP is in Canada, the U.S. and Canada are greatly harmonized in safety and EPA requirements for automobiles.

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by torontoman

Hello friends,

Had a question regarding TPMS for aftermarket wheels for my 2024 X7 M60i. For my Mercedes and Audi vehicles, I never had to purchase TPMS sensors for the aftermarket rims winter set because they worked based on suspension or something according to the different tire shops I have worked with. However, one tire shop told me this is not the case with BMWs and the tire light will go on if TPMS sensors are not equipped on the aftermarket rims.

Could you please confirm if this is correct? Will tire warning light go on the dash if TPMS sensors are not installed in the rims?

Also, is there anything to worry about other than the light? Or will everything run as normal other seeing that annoying light everytime I start the car.

Appreciate all your help and knowledge.

i missed that you are in canada.

easy way to tell, are your valve stems silver aluminum or black rubber?
black rubber -> indirect system, no sensors
silver aluminum -> direct system, you need sensors

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by PinkNinja400Guy

My USA 2020 Honda Civic had indirect TPMS, so it's not required by law in the US. BMWUSA chooses to have it anyway, which is nice. Indirect TPMS sucks.

thanks for that correction…you’re right, it’s BMW USA that throws in 2VB (TPMS) as standard in this market.

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

i missed that you are in canada.

easy way to tell, are your valve stems silver aluminum or black rubber?
black rubber -> indirect system, no sensors
silver aluminum -> direct system, you need sensors

Just an FYI…you can get TPM sensors with rubber valve stems…I have them (ordered them with the winter tires from Discount Tire) on my winter wheels for my f06. Decided it would be easier to remove the cap if I needed to put air in the tires during a snow/icey weather.

My recommendation for determining if you have the indirect (FTM/RPA) or direct (TPM/RDC) system is just to look at your screen in iDrive. It literally tells you which system you have at the bottom of the screen:

Examples of FTM (flat tire/tyre monitor) indirect system:



Examples of TPM (direct system):

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

thanks for that correction…you’re right, it’s BMW USA that throws in 2VB (TPMS) as standard in this market.


Just an FYI…you can get TPM sensors with rubber valve stems…I have them (ordered them with the winter tires from Discount Tire) on my winter wheels for my f06. Decided it would be easier to remove the cap if I needed to put air in the tires during a snow/icey weather.

technically you arent supposed to use rubber stemmed tpms on cars capable of over 130...

schrader has the max speed listed for their rubber stemmed tpms at 115mph.(at least the one discount tire sells, they have another model that isnt applicable to our cars that has a top speed rating of 130)

originally i was going to buy a wheel and tire package from discount tire direct and they kept specc'ing these: EZ-sensor® GO Rubber Snap-In Part Number 33560

the site is blocking the url for their web page, but


on the product page it has a max speed listed. my guess is that the rubber stem cant support the force generated at high speeds.
Top Speed: 115 MPH

ended up rolling my own with a local installer because of this, didnt like that they were speccing sensors that were not suitable for the application. i tried to contact their customer service to see if they would sub the aluminum stem tpms sensors (they sell them) but they said they couldnt.

bmw has never used rubber stemmed tire valves for its sensors from the factory, always aluminum. Schrader is one of their OEMs. the metal stems are rated for 155-200mph.

[Qsilver7]

I don’t think I’ll be doing anything close to 115MPH on my winter set-up…so I should be good.