Tire pressure monitor sensors...

[Bouchedag84]

Hey guys,
So I bought my x5 and a few months after the tire pressure sensor went off and sure enough I had a low tire. Got that fixed. Anyways, several months later I got my rims/tires changed for winter by a tire shop where I purchased my tires and supplied my own after market rims. I never considered the tire pressure monitor system. I don't know where it is connected or how t works even. Would I be safe to assume that the tire shop would've reinstalled the tpms into my winter tire/rim setup? How do I check this and ensure they didn't just remove or disconnect them?

[ants_oz]

I was of the understanding that the X5 doesn't use in-wheel sensors on any model - it uses rotational speed difference sensing by way of the ABS hub sensors. Could be wrong, but that's what I understood to be the case.

[JCL]

E53 models used both systems, depending on production date. The RDC (tpm) system was optional. First step is to figure out which system the OP has.

[ants_oz]

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Bouchedag84

...I got my rims/tires changed for winter by a tire shop ... I never considered the tire pressure monitor system. I don't know where it is connected or how [it] works even. Would I be safe to assume that the tire shop would've reinstalled the tpms into my winter tire/rim setup? How do I check this and ensure they didn't just remove or disconnect them?

First, give your model/model year/build date so we can tell which of the two systems you have. Help us help you better by providing model/model year/build date info...that way our replies, suggestions, recommendations, answers, etc can be given with consideration for all the many changes and options that occurred through the production from 1999-2006.

EDIT: I found a chart that list the models and build dates for the two different systems. The RDC system uses the tire pressure monitors inside the wheels. This system was optional up to the 4/04 build date.

From the 4/04 build date...the RPA system was standard equipment & utilizes the ABS wheel sensors to differences in wheel rotation...if you have the latter RPA system, then you just reset the system based on the instructions in the owners manual (see below)...it is really simple to do:

RPA (indirect tire monitor system)



(instructions from the owners manual for the 4/04-up build date with the RPA (indirect) tire monitor system)

[Bouchedag84]

Thanks guys.
Ok how do I figure out my build date?

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Bouchedag84

Thanks guys.
Ok how do I figure out my build date?

Build date is located on the VIN label located on the driver's door...or if you know the last 7 digits of your VIN...you can enter it on either of the online parts database sites...and it will give the month/year build date, too:

• RealOEM.com * Online BMW Parts Catalog - (type last 7 VIN digits were it says "serial number")
• http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog (type last 7 VIN digits were it says "BMW VIN decode")

Build date is located at the end of the 2nd line on the VIN sticker on the driver's door:

(my 2006 model year has a 12/05 build date)

[Bouchedag84]

Ok mine is 10/05....

[Qsilver7]

Your good then...you don't have to worry about replacing sensors in the wheels, or the battery in them dying etc. Just use the reset procedure from the owners manual above whenever you do any wheel/tire work that requires removal or changing air pressure etc.

[Bouchedag84]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Your good then...you don't have to worry about replacing sensors in the wheels, or the battery in them dying etc. Just use the reset procedure from the owners manual above whenever you do any wheel/tire work that requires removal or changing air pressure etc.

Really?! Oh man, that sounds like a relief