[MelbourneFinn]

Tried to browse the forum for answer as thought someone has done this, but couldn’t find the exact answer. So here goes to the brain trust:
2021 M550i with only Flat Tyre Monitoring - can I just buy sensors and code iDrive with Bimmercode and everything works? Or something else required? Anyone done this? If yes, exactly what sensors did you use?

Thanks in advance!

[SonD]

Are these not one in the same thing?
Can you do this in your iDrive in the car?
https://www.google.com/search?client...J8gL2_4KgBQ_35

[MelbourneFinn]

Originally Posted by SonD

Are these not one in the same thing?
Can you do this in your iDrive in the car?
https://www.google.com/search?client...J8gL2_4KgBQ_35

I wish they were, but not, that’s why I’m asking… FTM doesn’t have sensors in tyres (TPMS does) and the operation is based on each tyre’s rotational circumference - if one tyre rotates faster than the others the system assumes it’s flat and alerts. What I don’t know is whether TPMS just adds sensors and different iDrive settings, or is there also some other hardware involved.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by MelbourneFinn

Tried to browse the forum for answer as thought someone has done this, but couldn’t find the exact answer. So here goes to the brain trust:
2021 M550i with only Flat Tyre Monitoring - can I just buy sensors and code iDrive with Bimmercode and everything works? Or something else required? Anyone done this? If yes, exactly what sensors did you use?

Thanks in advance!

You'll probably also need the receiver and wiring for the TPMS.

[SonD]

Well, that's obviously a different region using different kit on a car.
TPMS uses 'bluetooth' tech, so just fitting the TPMS valves will do nothing if the receiver and wiring are not already in place.
I admit to not knowing BMW used a different system to TPMS - especially on such an up to date motor.

[Qsilver7]

BMW uses TWO tire monitoring systems. One is the indirect method referred to as RPA/FTM which uses the wheel speed sensors that calculate wheel rotation to determine if a tire has lost pressure. The second is the direct method referred to as RDC/TPM which uses sensors mounted inside each wheel to determine loss of pressure and tire temperature.

It depends on the market as to which system you may have. In some countries (like the USA)...the direct RDC/TPM system is required by law...but for our northern neighbors in Canada...the RDC/TPM system is an option...if you don't option it or if it doesn't come included in an option package...then you get the indirect RPA/FTM system.

The ability to change from RPA/FTM to RDC/TPM depends on what ECUs (electronic control modules) your car has. I've seen coding parameters to change from RDC/TPM to RPA/FTM when an owner wanted to drop the TPM sensors in the tires...and some platforms can be coded to go the other way...again depending on which ECUs are in the communication bus and the location of the RDC info. Sometimes the RDC is incorporated in the DSC module...if this is the case you may be able to do VO coding using ESYS to add S2VB. But if the setup in your BMW requires the separate RDC module...then more would be involved.

The images below are NBT/ID4 versions of iDrive...if you have a newer iDrive version..it may not look exactly like the pics below but will be similar in overall data seen on the screen.

If you have the RPA/FTM set up...your iDrive screen looks something like this:



If you have the RDC/TPM set up...your iDrive screen looks something like this:

[MelbourneFinn]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

BMW uses TWO tire monitoring systems. One is the indirect method referred to as RPA/FTM which uses the wheel speed sensors that calculate wheel rotation to determine if a tire has lost pressure. The second is the direct method referred to as RDC/TPM which uses sensors mounted inside each wheel to determine loss of pressure and tire temperature.

It depends on the market as to which system you may have. In some countries (like the USA)...the direct RDC/TPM system is required by law...but for our northern neighbors in Canada...the RDC/TPM system is an option...if you don't option it or if it doesn't come included in an option package...then you get the indirect RPA/FTM system.

The images below are NBT/ID4 versions of iDrive...if you have a newer iDrive version..it may not look exactly like the pics below but will be similar in overall data seen on the screen.

If you have the RPA/FTM set up...your iDrive screen looks something like this:



If you have the RDC/TPM set up...your iDrive screen looks something like this:

Thanks, yes know all about the differences between FTM and TPMS from operational perspective, my original question was whether you can just add the sensors and Bimmercode iDrive, but I think I got the answer: no… 😢

I know there are after market kits that integrate with iDrive, any experience of these? I’d be really keen to hear from anyone in Australia who has done the conversion.

[G30M]

following with interest!

[bym007]

Did anyone manage to solve this issue ? I have retrofitted the Autel 433Mhz TPMS sensors in my car a couple of months back. They work with NFC coding, so you can download their app on your phone and initiate them for your make/model/variant.

I did not have option S2VBA enabled from factory, so yesterday I coded it in using E-SYS and tried to detect the TPMS sensors, which are not getting detected.

So now the iDrive is throwing a tyre pressure warning on startup and in my dash. Since the TPMS sensors are installed in the car, it is very difficult to initiate them again without removing the wheel and tyre off. The phone does not pick up NFC signal in the sensor.

Anyhow, is there any solution to this issue ? I may be forced to code the 2VB option out to get the annoying TPMS error out, until I can get the wheels/tyres off.

[G30M]

dumb question, if you VO code the TPMS, does that mean you lose the FTM ?

I think i might just stick with FTM. sounds simpler.

[bym007]

I just did this retrofit. And now I have TPMS proper.

With tyre pressure and temperature on all corners. FTW!

[G30M]

Originally Posted by bym007

I just did this retrofit. And now I have TPMS proper.

With tyre pressure and temperature on all corners. FTW!

did you have to install any hardware to the car? or just coding?

[bym007]

I only needed to enable TPMS via coding. The G30 shares the RDC and Comfort Access wireless receiver, if your car has Comfort Access, you can enable TPMS via coding in E-Sys.

You do need TPMS sensors in your wheels to communicate and provide readings. The aftermarket TPMS sensors are about ~$200, but cheaper if you look up on AliExpress.

[bym007]

This is how it displays on my ‘17 540i after enabling TPMS.

[bym007]

Next step, you can enable temperature and tyre pressure as well. I used Bimmercode for this.

[bym007]

After a quick trip to location servo…. Settled for now.

[bym007]

I used these TPMS sensors.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by bym007

The G30 shares the RDC and Comfort Access wireless receiver,

Technology is amazing

[bym007]

Originally Posted by G30M

Technology is amazing

While it works. Let me know, if you need any assistance with this.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by bym007

While it works. Let me know, if you need any assistance with this.

Thanks, not in the near future, sticking with FTM for now. I live in a village and nobody knows how to code the Tpms sensor even if I manage to code the car

[lnxguy]

Most people remove TPMS and code in FTM. TPMS can be such a pain in the ass.

[bym007]

Its usually done when people put second set of wheels on without TPMS. Otherwise, why would one so that ?