False Flat Tire Monitor Warning

Jackson · 01-09-2007, 11:41 AM

Yesterday, as I was driving home, the Flat Tire Monitor warning light appeared, in RED, in the "large" warning area. There was no "small" warning light that accompanied it.

So, initially, I thought that one of my snow tires must have leak or was flat. However, the steering/car didn't feel any different. So I stopped at a gas station to check it out.

All tires appeared fine and I double checked it with a pressure gauge. I then got out the manual to see what to do. I thought that I would have to reset the system.

When looking at the manual, since my car is "Canadian", I believed it had the Flat Tire Monitor as opposed to the Tire Pressure Monitor (on US vehicles). However, when going into the computer, it showed "RESET" instead of "INITIALIZE". In the manual, RESET seems to be for TPM not FTM. (I also noted on the drivers door well where the tire pressure sticker is, there is a sticker with the "pressure warning" - cross-section of tire with an exclamation mark inside it - with "RESET" underneath it.)

Well, I tried to reset by pressing the button for much longer than 5 seconds as recommended but the "arrow" didn't disappear, until I let go of the button. The warning didn't disappear either. Since I knew the tires were okay, I drove home - with the warning light on the dash the whole way. I tried the same procedure a number of times at home- but to no avail. Didn't work this morning either.

Anyone else have this problem. I should mention that I took delivery of the car with 19" 230's which I changed myself a few weeks ago to new rims/snow tires. I didn't do anything to the system then and got no warnings. The new rims/snows don't have the TPM sensors installed - since I was under the believe that Canadian cars didn't need them.

I also looked at the 230's in my basement this morning and couldn't tell if the valve stems were any different than normal - i.e. had the TPM valve stems (anyone have a picture of the difference?)

Your input is appreciated since I would like to avoid a trip to the dealer.

Thanks!

e30klassic · 01-09-2007, 11:47 AM

Have you check all your tires pressure then try to reset it.

Try it.

DerekS · 01-09-2007, 12:43 PM

Jackson,
I had the same experience a week ago with my snows. I believe the warning was triggered by falling temperatures and some minor loss of air in both rear tires (they were both @ 30psi instead of 35psi). However, the resetting issue I found frustrating. Pushing the #2 button for 5 seconds as suggested in the Owners Manual does not work. After a visit to my dealer, the service advisor referred to some internal correspondence on this issue and then showed me how to reset the system. You push in button #2 very briefly, then release the button and drive on.

Jackson · 01-09-2007, 01:14 PM

Thanks DerekS! I will give it a try tonight. I thought it might have something to do with the colder temperatures (finally) that we have had here in the past 2 days. If this doesn't work, I have an appointment on Saturday morning at the dealer.

Hawkshaw · 01-09-2007, 01:22 PM

I had to "Initialize" when I put my winter tires on as well. However, I believe the car has to be stopped (and maybe even the engine off) in order for the "initialize" option to be available instead of reset.

The caveat being that I've got the e90 330i with iDrive, so I don't know if it's an apples to apples comparison / problem. Good luck!

Jackson · 01-09-2007, 06:51 PM

Well, I tried the method suggested by DerekS - but to no avail. I'll try again tomorrow morning but I think it means a trip to the dealer Saturday morning

hue · 01-10-2007, 04:05 PM

I had this same problem after switching to snow tires (I had them changed at the dealership). I had not driven the car for a couple of weeks when suddenly the FTM alarm went off yesterday. I just happened to be driving by the dealership. They checked the pressures and one rear tire was at 28 instead of 35 (cold weather related according to the service manager). They reset the FTM and told me to keep an eye on it just in case.

DerekS · 01-10-2007, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackson

Well, I tried the method suggested by DerekS - but to no avail. I'll try again tomorrow morning but I think it means a trip to the dealer Saturday morning

Jackson,
Did you wait until your computer indicated "reset" before you briefly tapped button #2 ?

Jackson · 01-11-2007, 06:03 AM

When stopped, but with the engine running, I used button #1 to scroll to the FTM warning screen which has ">RESET" displayed underneath the FTM icon - which is red. I pressed button #2 briefly which caused the ">" to disappear in front of "RESET". I then drove on. Nothing happened. Must be something that I'm missing. Help!

Hawkshaw · 01-11-2007, 07:02 AM

I'm guessing you've already read and followed the manual? Have you called your dealer yet? I'm sure they could help you.

Jackson · 01-13-2007, 01:20 PM

Went to the dealer this morning for the 2 minute fix. For anyone else who might encounter this problem, here goes (the procedure in the manual is WRONG)

1. Have vehicle running but stopped;

2. Access "computer" by using button #1 on turn indicator stalk (see manual to identify buttons)

3. Scroll to the TPM icon. It also has ">RESET" underneath (the ">" is an arrow or "sideways" triangle;

4. Press button #2 briefly to make the ">" disappear;

5. Then, press button #2 again and hold it until a box with a check mark in it appears after "RESET".

Drive off and you are good to go. (Please remember this is a "Canadian" car and the procedure may not be applicable to "U.S." cars since they have the Tire Pressure Monitor vs. the Tire Pressure Monitor.)

Now why the hell couldn't the service guy give me this over the phone!?! It would have saved me driving 70 km roundtrip in lousy winter weather this morning for an easy 2 minute fix. (I passed at 5 or 6 cars/minivans which had lost control and gone into the ditch or the guardrail.)

Also, the service guy noted admitted that the manual often contains incorrect information since it is translated from German. Duhhhhh!!! I just spent over $60,000.00 on a car which is susposed to be engineered to the Nth degree. Why the hell can't BMW hire 1 person who can speak/write German and English fluently, is technically minded enough to get in the car and "fiddle with it" and then write a proper manual for all of North America (and other English speaking markets as well).

Just a thought.

Alan(iX) · 01-14-2007, 10:41 AM

I have had the same problem with my FTM warning going off twice.

Both times were after a severe temperature drop.
One time the temp dropped from 60 deg F to 30 deg F.
It is my understanding that tire pressure drops 1 psi for every 10 deg F temp drop. It appears that the warning goes off in the 2 - 2.5 psi range.

It appears that the FTM captures only pressure without temperature.
I now carry a digital tire pressure gauge in the glove box.

bmwmike · 01-21-2007, 08:14 AM

I did the same reset Jackson and my car got a flat and i didn't know about it until i noticed something funny in the handling and then got out and spotted a steaming hot RF flat tire.

BMC330i · 11-09-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackson

Went to the dealer this morning for the 2 minute fix. For anyone else who might encounter this problem, here goes (the procedure in the manual is WRONG)

1. Have vehicle running but stopped;

2. Access "computer" by using button #1 on turn indicator stalk (see manual to identify buttons)

3. Scroll to the TPM icon. It also has ">RESET" underneath (the ">" is an arrow or "sideways" triangle;

4. Press button #2 briefly to make the ">" disappear;

5. Then, press button #2 again and hold it until a box with a check mark in it appears after "RESET".

Drive off and you are good to go. (Please remember this is a "Canadian" car and the procedure may not be applicable to "U.S." cars since they have the Tire Pressure Monitor vs. the Tire Pressure Monitor.)

Now why the hell couldn't the service guy give me this over the phone!?! It would have saved me driving 70 km roundtrip in lousy winter weather this morning for an easy 2 minute fix. (I passed at 5 or 6 cars/minivans which had lost control and gone into the ditch or the guardrail.)

Also, the service guy noted admitted that the manual often contains incorrect information since it is translated from German. Duhhhhh!!! I just spent over $60,000.00 on a car which is susposed to be engineered to the Nth degree. Why the hell can't BMW hire 1 person who can speak/write German and English fluently, is technically minded enough to get in the car and "fiddle with it" and then write a proper manual for all of North America (and other English speaking markets as well).

Just a thought.

Thanks this did the trick for me, I didn't even think of pushing once to enter into FTM and then hlding for 5 sec to reset. I just kept holding for 5 seconds to no avail.

DenverJayhawk · 08-07-2010, 03:33 PM

Thanks so much for posting this. The manual was driving me bat shit crazy. It simply said "TPM needs to be initialized <" and then didn't tell you how to do it. I kept hitting the #2 button by the reset and it wasn't doing a damn thing. Can you tell I'm frustrated? Then I tried your recommendation and bingo. How the hell are we supposed to know you then have to hold #2 in again for 5 seconds to initialize it if the manual doesn't specifically indicate so? I love German cars, but sometimes their ergonomics and logic is the most stupid F'n thing one can come across.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackson

Went to the dealer this morning for the 2 minute fix. For anyone else who might encounter this problem, here goes (the procedure in the manual is WRONG)

1. Have vehicle running but stopped;

2. Access "computer" by using button #1 on turn indicator stalk (see manual to identify buttons)

3. Scroll to the TPM icon. It also has ">RESET" underneath (the ">" is an arrow or "sideways" triangle;

4. Press button #2 briefly to make the ">" disappear;

5. Then, press button #2 again and hold it until a box with a check mark in it appears after "RESET".

Drive off and you are good to go. (Please remember this is a "Canadian" car and the procedure may not be applicable to "U.S." cars since they have the Tire Pressure Monitor vs. the Tire Pressure Monitor.)

Now why the hell couldn't the service guy give me this over the phone!?! It would have saved me driving 70 km roundtrip in lousy winter weather this morning for an easy 2 minute fix. (I passed at 5 or 6 cars/minivans which had lost control and gone into the ditch or the guardrail.)

Also, the service guy noted admitted that the manual often contains incorrect information since it is translated from German. Duhhhhh!!! I just spent over $60,000.00 on a car which is susposed to be engineered to the Nth degree. Why the hell can't BMW hire 1 person who can speak/write German and English fluently, is technically minded enough to get in the car and "fiddle with it" and then write a proper manual for all of North America (and other English speaking markets as well).

Just a thought.

01-09-2007, 11:41 AM	#1
Jackson Private 7 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	False Flat Tire Monitor Warning Yesterday, as I was driving home, the Flat Tire Monitor warning light appeared, in RED, in the "large" warning area. There was no "small" warning light that accompanied it. So, initially, I thought that one of my snow tires must have leak or was flat. However, the steering/car didn't feel any different. So I stopped at a gas station to check it out. All tires appeared fine and I double checked it with a pressure gauge. I then got out the manual to see what to do. I thought that I would have to reset the system. When looking at the manual, since my car is "Canadian", I believed it had the Flat Tire Monitor as opposed to the Tire Pressure Monitor (on US vehicles). However, when going into the computer, it showed "RESET" instead of "INITIALIZE". In the manual, RESET seems to be for TPM not FTM. (I also noted on the drivers door well where the tire pressure sticker is, there is a sticker with the "pressure warning" - cross-section of tire with an exclamation mark inside it - with "RESET" underneath it.) Well, I tried to reset by pressing the button for much longer than 5 seconds as recommended but the "arrow" didn't disappear, until I let go of the button. The warning didn't disappear either. Since I knew the tires were okay, I drove home - with the warning light on the dash the whole way. I tried the same procedure a number of times at home- but to no avail. Didn't work this morning either. Anyone else have this problem. I should mention that I took delivery of the car with 19" 230's which I changed myself a few weeks ago to new rims/snow tires. I didn't do anything to the system then and got no warnings. The new rims/snows don't have the TPM sensors installed - since I was under the believe that Canadian cars didn't need them. I also looked at the 230's in my basement this morning and couldn't tell if the valve stems were any different than normal - i.e. had the TPM valve stems (anyone have a picture of the difference?) Your input is appreciated since I would like to avoid a trip to the dealer. Thanks! __________________ Interlagos Blue e92 M3, 6MT, Palladium Silver Leather with Executive Pkg, EDC, Brushed Aluminum, 18" stock wheels
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01-09-2007, 12:43 PM	#3
DerekS Major 197 Rep 1,180 Posts Drives: '24 X3 M Sport Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: YVR iTrader: (0)	False Flat tire warning Jackson, I had the same experience a week ago with my snows. I believe the warning was triggered by falling temperatures and some minor loss of air in both rear tires (they were both @ 30psi instead of 35psi). However, the resetting issue I found frustrating. Pushing the #2 button for 5 seconds as suggested in the Owners Manual does not work. After a visit to my dealer, the service advisor referred to some internal correspondence on this issue and then showed me how to reset the system. You push in button #2 very briefly, then release the button and drive on. __________________ on order: 2024 i4 eDrive40 M Sport, Tanzanite metallic with all options
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01-09-2007, 01:14 PM	#4
Jackson Private 7 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Thanks DerekS! I will give it a try tonight. I thought it might have something to do with the colder temperatures (finally) that we have had here in the past 2 days. If this doesn't work, I have an appointment on Saturday morning at the dealer. __________________ Interlagos Blue e92 M3, 6MT, Palladium Silver Leather with Executive Pkg, EDC, Brushed Aluminum, 18" stock wheels
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01-09-2007, 01:22 PM	#5
Hawkshaw Major 100 Rep 1,013 Posts Drives: X3 xDrive28i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fredericton, NB, Canada iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I had to "Initialize" when I put my winter tires on as well. However, I believe the car has to be stopped (and maybe even the engine off) in order for the "initialize" option to be available instead of reset. The caveat being that I've got the e90 330i with iDrive, so I don't know if it's an apples to apples comparison / problem. Good luck! __________________ Paul
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01-09-2007, 06:51 PM	#6
Jackson Private 7 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Well, I tried the method suggested by DerekS - but to no avail. I'll try again tomorrow morning but I think it means a trip to the dealer Saturday morning __________________ Interlagos Blue e92 M3, 6MT, Palladium Silver Leather with Executive Pkg, EDC, Brushed Aluminum, 18" stock wheels
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01-09-2007, 11:47 AM	#2
e30klassic Banned 25 Rep 375 Posts Drives: Sport T-Silver E90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: SF, Ca. iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 328i [0.00]	Have you check all your tires pressure then try to reset it. Try it.
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01-10-2007, 04:05 PM	#7
hue New Member 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I had this same problem after switching to snow tires (I had them changed at the dealership). I had not driven the car for a couple of weeks when suddenly the FTM alarm went off yesterday. I just happened to be driving by the dealership. They checked the pressures and one rear tire was at 28 instead of 35 (cold weather related according to the service manager). They reset the FTM and told me to keep an eye on it just in case.
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01-11-2007, 06:03 AM	#9
Jackson Private 7 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	When stopped, but with the engine running, I used button #1 to scroll to the FTM warning screen which has ">RESET" displayed underneath the FTM icon - which is red. I pressed button #2 briefly which caused the ">" to disappear in front of "RESET". I then drove on. Nothing happened. Must be something that I'm missing. Help! __________________ Interlagos Blue e92 M3, 6MT, Palladium Silver Leather with Executive Pkg, EDC, Brushed Aluminum, 18" stock wheels
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01-11-2007, 07:02 AM	#10
Hawkshaw Major 100 Rep 1,013 Posts Drives: X3 xDrive28i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fredericton, NB, Canada iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I'm guessing you've already read and followed the manual? Have you called your dealer yet? I'm sure they could help you. __________________ Paul
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01-13-2007, 01:20 PM	#11
Jackson Private 7 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Went to the dealer this morning for the 2 minute fix. For anyone else who might encounter this problem, here goes (the procedure in the manual is WRONG) 1. Have vehicle running but stopped; 2. Access "computer" by using button #1 on turn indicator stalk (see manual to identify buttons) 3. Scroll to the TPM icon. It also has ">RESET" underneath (the ">" is an arrow or "sideways" triangle; 4. Press button #2 briefly to make the ">" disappear; 5. Then, press button #2 again and hold it until a box with a check mark in it appears after "RESET". Drive off and you are good to go. (Please remember this is a "Canadian" car and the procedure may not be applicable to "U.S." cars since they have the Tire Pressure Monitor vs. the Tire Pressure Monitor.) Now why the hell couldn't the service guy give me this over the phone!?! It would have saved me driving 70 km roundtrip in lousy winter weather this morning for an easy 2 minute fix. (I passed at 5 or 6 cars/minivans which had lost control and gone into the ditch or the guardrail.) Also, the service guy noted admitted that the manual often contains incorrect information since it is translated from German. Duhhhhh!!! I just spent over $60,000.00 on a car which is susposed to be engineered to the Nth degree. Why the hell can't BMW hire 1 person who can speak/write German and English fluently, is technically minded enough to get in the car and "fiddle with it" and then write a proper manual for all of North America (and other English speaking markets as well). Just a thought. __________________ Interlagos Blue e92 M3, 6MT, Palladium Silver Leather with Executive Pkg, EDC, Brushed Aluminum, 18" stock wheels
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01-14-2007, 10:41 AM	#12
Alan(iX) Private First Class 4 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2013 F10 535 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (2)	I have had the same problem with my FTM warning going off twice. Both times were after a severe temperature drop. One time the temp dropped from 60 deg F to 30 deg F. It is my understanding that tire pressure drops 1 psi for every 10 deg F temp drop. It appears that the warning goes off in the 2 - 2.5 psi range. It appears that the FTM captures only pressure without temperature. I now carry a digital tire pressure gauge in the glove box. __________________ Alan(iX) 1988 BMW E30 325iX Ordered 6/29/2006, Built 9/6/2006, Delivered 9/29/2006: 2007 BMW E92 335i Coupe, 6MT, space grey, black leather, dark burl, CWP, ZPP, ZSP, Comfort Access, Nav, Power Rear Sun Shade, Park Distance Control, Sirius
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01-21-2007, 08:14 AM	#13
bmwmike Lieutenant 28 Rep 542 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe - SOLD Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada iTrader: (1)	I did the same reset Jackson and my car got a flat and i didn't know about it until i noticed something funny in the handling and then got out and spotted a steaming hot RF flat tire.
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