ALL four tires w/ Low Pressure ?

NucGal · 10-28-2010, 01:17 AM

My 135 has 2600 miles on it, got a low tire error and it indicated the right front tire. Took to shop and they said " oh it was just that all four tires had low pressure 26 lbs, and two stems were missing". Been driving a few years or two and Never had ALL fours tires low at one time , even after having my car sitting in garage for a few weeks. Seems a little strange to me. These are the Goodyear tires. Any thoughts?

Oh yeah I had the HPFP that failed at 1500 miles...this car is definitely turning out to be quite the anomaly.

ben14142001 · 10-28-2010, 01:27 AM

Cold night?

NucGal · 10-28-2010, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben14142001

Cold night?

In California, lows at night in 50's and the car is garaged.

Dackelone · 10-28-2010, 04:04 AM

After they put in the proper air pressure - Did they reset the TPMS on the board computer? Every time you put air in the tires you then need to reset the TPMS via the bc on the turn signal stalk. I don't think many people realize this.

I just mounted my snow tires and as soon as I drove a few feet the TPMS was telling me a had a flat tire. Even after I set the proper tire pressures the sensors were saying I had a flat. Not until I reset the system did the TPMS light go out. You have to reset the TPMS while stopped, then drive a few hundred meters for teh sensors to reset the bc.

Also... the valve stems are known to get "loose" after awhile. Use a 12mm(?) 1/4" drive deep socket - and gently snug them up. They require very little torque like - 5ft/lbs.

JimD · 10-28-2010, 07:22 AM

My guess is you were probably a little low on air pressure when temperatures were higher and the change in ambient temperature dropped you several additional psi so the TPM activated. Having it come on for all four tires is kind of a good thing - it indicates either there is a problem with all four (unlikely) or all four are fine (likely).

I looked at the manual again to be sure (a pdf is handy when you are not in the vehicle) and I am not sure you need to reset the TPM unless you change tires or you want it to reference a different "OK" pressure. You also need to reset it when it comes on, however. I would not do it until I checked the air pressure myself. I have had tire pressure adjusted to all kinds of silly levels (usually very high) by tire places. When you reset the TPM, you are telling it "this is the tire pressure I want to have". When it goes several psi lower than that, it alarms. If you reset it while you have 40 psi in all four tires, for instance, it could alarm if you later reduce the fronts to 32 psi, which is what the drivers door pillar recommends in my 128i vert. But if that happened, you just have to reset it again (after checking to be sure all 4 tires are OK).

I think you need a good tire gauge (if you don't have one already) and a 12V pump. I recommend Acugauge gauges (based upon tests I have reviewed indicating they are the most accurate brand) and Viair 70P 12V pumps. With these tools, it is very simple to keep the right tire pressure in your tires. The gauge should be about $10 and the Viair is about $50. The Viair is much different from the noisy, slow plastic pumps you most often see. It is quiet and relatively quick with mostly metal construction. It works so well, I do not even move my 2 vehicles to my second driveway where I can use my big 120V compressor. I can be done adjusting pressure with the Viair in less time than it takes to move the cars.

Jim

IDBMW · 10-28-2010, 07:35 AM

Yep, Change to cooler weather. My mom came over last Sunday and said a yellow light was on her warnings. It was the TPMS. We just started having 32 deg. F nights. Checked her tires and all were about 25 psi. Aired them up and all is well.

I check my tires about weekly. I have a tire gauge hanging on the wall near my cars so it makes it really easy to check the tire air pressure. In fact I was checking my tires on the 135i and pushed on the valve stem where I heard air escape. Turns out my TPMS nuts were loose. I have also found low tire pressure and upon inspection of the tire I find a nail. I believe this has kept me from being stranded on the road especially with non RFT’s and no spare.

And if you have the sport package (low profile tires) it is hard to tell if you have a flat by looking at the car.

JimD · 10-28-2010, 09:10 AM

I set mine up for an autocross and found them about 28 psi when I know I had set them to 34/38 a month or so earlier. So I lost about 6 psi when it got cooler here - and our lows have been no lower than 40 F. When I measured my tires, they were probably around 60 F. But when I set them previously they were probably around 80. When I got home and lowered my air pressure I then checked my SUV and they were low too. I knew it was going to be true, just procrastinated getting it adjusted.

Gas station is a poor place to adjust tire pressure but is where many people do it. I kept trying to adjust mine at the autocross and even after sitting for 15-30 minutes they did not come back to the original cold pressure. I had been on the brakes hard which might have affected the cool down of the tires but still I think tire pressure in a gas station lot will be high due to the temperature of the tires. My tire pressures were 2 to 2.5 psi higher on the sunny side of the car too - when they were the same at around 8am when I first adjusted them. I think it is best to set the pressure in the garage first thing in the morning or after the car has set for several hours. It takes time for tires to cool off.

Tire pressue is not a hard thing but I think there are a lot of poorly adjusted tires.

Jim

AntonV · 10-28-2010, 01:55 PM

Im actually shocked how well my tires are holding air. I have a nice guage and check frequently. Ive only had to put air in the tires twice in 1.5 years. But, I have only put 8000 miles on the car.

MikeinAlexandria · 10-28-2010, 02:16 PM

As a general rule, I check the tire pressure on every other tanks of gas. But if the weather changes alot, or I am on a long highway trip, I do a check just before driving. Tires normally can lose a pound or two a month, sometimes more if it gets cold quickly.

The1 · 10-29-2010, 10:04 AM

I stick to the long trip rule. any time i know i'm going to be on the road for about an hour or more, I check the pressure before leaving, then go fill up with gas. then straight inside for some munchies...

I always check pressure at home before i even turn the car on.

I have a tire pressure guage in each car, so i have no excuses.

You get better gas mileage, and tire wear is noticably better, and car handles best when everything is checked regularly.

ZIPNBYE · 10-29-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxnix

Illustrates the necessity to check pressures and fluid levels and conditions regularly.

Every time you fill with gas.

mke135i · 10-30-2010, 06:37 PM

Had 32F temps overnight and my sensor was saying all 4 were low. Turned out it was only the 2 front were under 29lbs. I did not reset the sensors though, and the lights went away.

wnta135 · 10-31-2010, 12:00 PM

Happened to me this morning. All four tires showing low. When I checked they were all around 29 lbs.
Tightened the valve stems and pumped them up to 36. Poor little 112 volt pump just about gave up the ghost. Had to let it cool down before I did the other two vehicles.

1013mm · 10-31-2010, 01:28 PM

happened to me with all 4 just get them air filled and done.

Dackelone · 10-31-2010, 05:01 PM

Everytime I put air into all four tires... I will reset the TPMS via the turn signal stalk. This is the only way the system will know what the "target" tire pressures should be.

jordan314 · 11-23-2010, 07:41 PM

Hiya, newbie here with a 2008 128i convertible.
The tire monitor is starting to bug me. Any time we have a cold night (50° in california) I get a low pressure warning. Once one tire was 1 lb off, the other time it was fine. I reset it each time. Is there any way to make the monitor less sensitive? Maybe I should reset it a pound or two light and then fill them up more.

david986 · 06-16-2011, 01:22 PM

Hey, looking for a followup from anyone. Had the a similar situation happen to me today (all tires down 10psi) but I didn't have the weather swing. Its been consistently 75-100F down here. Any thoughts?
Also, this is my first BMW - do they not check the tire pressure during a service visit? Was in just 8 days ago for a sunroof rattle/oil change and thought they would do at least a cursory inspection.

The1 · 06-16-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david986

Hey, looking for a followup from anyone. Had the a similar situation happen to me today (all tires down 10psi) but I didn't have the weather swing. Its been consistently 75-100F down here. Any thoughts?
Also, this is my first BMW - do they not check the tire pressure during a service visit? Was in just 8 days ago for a sunroof rattle/oil change and thought they would do at least a cursory inspection.

75-100 is a large varriance in temperature... would account for a few PSI easily.

but also remember tires are black, black gets hot, and also black pavement gets very hot. And just driving will warm your tires.

when you drive your car then check your pressure, you are going to have a hugely different pressure then if your car has sat for several hours.

and of course, I've been told BMW rims aren't the best quality.

10-28-2010, 01:17 AM	#1
NucGal New Member 4 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 135i Convertible Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	ALL four tires w/ Low Pressure ? My 135 has 2600 miles on it, got a low tire error and it indicated the right front tire. Took to shop and they said " oh it was just that all four tires had low pressure 26 lbs, and two stems were missing". Been driving a few years or two and Never had ALL fours tires low at one time , even after having my car sitting in garage for a few weeks. Seems a little strange to me. These are the Goodyear tires. Any thoughts? Oh yeah I had the HPFP that failed at 1500 miles...this car is definitely turning out to be quite the anomaly.
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10-28-2010, 01:27 AM	#2
ben14142001 Captain 27 Rep 707 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 ZCP Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Nashville iTrader: (1)	Cold night?
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10-28-2010, 04:04 AM	#4
Dackelone European Editor 10589 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	After they put in the proper air pressure - Did they reset the TPMS on the board computer? Every time you put air in the tires you then need to reset the TPMS via the bc on the turn signal stalk. I don't think many people realize this. I just mounted my snow tires and as soon as I drove a few feet the TPMS was telling me a had a flat tire. Even after I set the proper tire pressures the sensors were saying I had a flat. Not until I reset the system did the TPMS light go out. You have to reset the TPMS while stopped, then drive a few hundred meters for teh sensors to reset the bc. Also... the valve stems are known to get "loose" after awhile. Use a 12mm(?) 1/4" drive deep socket - and gently snug them up. They require very little torque like - 5ft/lbs.
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10-28-2010, 07:22 AM	#5
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	My guess is you were probably a little low on air pressure when temperatures were higher and the change in ambient temperature dropped you several additional psi so the TPM activated. Having it come on for all four tires is kind of a good thing - it indicates either there is a problem with all four (unlikely) or all four are fine (likely). I looked at the manual again to be sure (a pdf is handy when you are not in the vehicle) and I am not sure you need to reset the TPM unless you change tires or you want it to reference a different "OK" pressure. You also need to reset it when it comes on, however. I would not do it until I checked the air pressure myself. I have had tire pressure adjusted to all kinds of silly levels (usually very high) by tire places. When you reset the TPM, you are telling it "this is the tire pressure I want to have". When it goes several psi lower than that, it alarms. If you reset it while you have 40 psi in all four tires, for instance, it could alarm if you later reduce the fronts to 32 psi, which is what the drivers door pillar recommends in my 128i vert. But if that happened, you just have to reset it again (after checking to be sure all 4 tires are OK). I think you need a good tire gauge (if you don't have one already) and a 12V pump. I recommend Acugauge gauges (based upon tests I have reviewed indicating they are the most accurate brand) and Viair 70P 12V pumps. With these tools, it is very simple to keep the right tire pressure in your tires. The gauge should be about $10 and the Viair is about $50. The Viair is much different from the noisy, slow plastic pumps you most often see. It is quiet and relatively quick with mostly metal construction. It works so well, I do not even move my 2 vehicles to my second driveway where I can use my big 120V compressor. I can be done adjusting pressure with the Viair in less time than it takes to move the cars. Jim __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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10-28-2010, 07:35 AM	#6
IDBMW Captain 41 Rep 825 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boise, ID iTrader: (0)	Yep, Change to cooler weather. My mom came over last Sunday and said a yellow light was on her warnings. It was the TPMS. We just started having 32 deg. F nights. Checked her tires and all were about 25 psi. Aired them up and all is well. I check my tires about weekly. I have a tire gauge hanging on the wall near my cars so it makes it really easy to check the tire air pressure. In fact I was checking my tires on the 135i and pushed on the valve stem where I heard air escape. Turns out my TPMS nuts were loose. I have also found low tire pressure and upon inspection of the tire I find a nail. I believe this has kept me from being stranded on the road especially with non RFT’s and no spare. And if you have the sport package (low profile tires) it is hard to tell if you have a flat by looking at the car. __________________ 2019 X3 M40i - Black Sapphire Metallic - Mocha Lather - 21" 718M wheels - Every option except Sun Shade
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10-28-2010, 09:10 AM	#7
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	I set mine up for an autocross and found them about 28 psi when I know I had set them to 34/38 a month or so earlier. So I lost about 6 psi when it got cooler here - and our lows have been no lower than 40 F. When I measured my tires, they were probably around 60 F. But when I set them previously they were probably around 80. When I got home and lowered my air pressure I then checked my SUV and they were low too. I knew it was going to be true, just procrastinated getting it adjusted. Gas station is a poor place to adjust tire pressure but is where many people do it. I kept trying to adjust mine at the autocross and even after sitting for 15-30 minutes they did not come back to the original cold pressure. I had been on the brakes hard which might have affected the cool down of the tires but still I think tire pressure in a gas station lot will be high due to the temperature of the tires. My tire pressures were 2 to 2.5 psi higher on the sunny side of the car too - when they were the same at around 8am when I first adjusted them. I think it is best to set the pressure in the garage first thing in the morning or after the car has set for several hours. It takes time for tires to cool off. Tire pressue is not a hard thing but I think there are a lot of poorly adjusted tires. Jim __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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10-28-2010, 01:55 PM	#8
AntonV Lieutenant 39 Rep 524 Posts Drives: Sedona/Savanna 135i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	Im actually shocked how well my tires are holding air. I have a nice guage and check frequently. Ive only had to put air in the tires twice in 1.5 years. But, I have only put 8000 miles on the car. __________________ 2009 135i Coupe - Sedona Red Metallic - Savanna Beige - 6MT- ///M Sports Package - Boston Leather - Power/Heated Seats 2005 BMW F650 GS - Mandarin Yellow - Farkled
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10-28-2010, 02:16 PM	#9
MikeinAlexandria Lieutenant 44 Rep 567 Posts Drives: 128i M Sport Convertible Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA iTrader: (0)	As a general rule, I check the tire pressure on every other tanks of gas. But if the weather changes alot, or I am on a long highway trip, I do a check just before driving. Tires normally can lose a pound or two a month, sometimes more if it gets cold quickly.
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10-29-2010, 10:04 AM	#10
The1 Major General 76 Rep 5,114 Posts Drives: white 135 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: KW ontario/vancouver temporarily iTrader: (0)	I stick to the long trip rule. any time i know i'm going to be on the road for about an hour or more, I check the pressure before leaving, then go fill up with gas. then straight inside for some munchies... I always check pressure at home before i even turn the car on. I have a tire pressure guage in each car, so i have no excuses. You get better gas mileage, and tire wear is noticably better, and car handles best when everything is checked regularly.
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10-30-2010, 06:37 PM	#12
mke135i Lieutenant 19 Rep 436 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Cabrio Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Midwest iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	Had 32F temps overnight and my sensor was saying all 4 were low. Turned out it was only the 2 front were under 29lbs. I did not reset the sensors though, and the lights went away.
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10-31-2010, 12:00 PM	#13
wnta135 Private First Class 2 Rep 194 Posts Drives: 2008 Sedona Red 135i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South Carolina iTrader: (0)	Happened to me this morning. All four tires showing low. When I checked they were all around 29 lbs. Tightened the valve stems and pumped them up to 36. Poor little 112 volt pump just about gave up the ghost. Had to let it cool down before I did the other two vehicles.
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10-31-2010, 01:28 PM	#14
1013mm aka 1013MM 1253 Rep 9,545 Posts Drives: pokingly flush Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles / HK iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 135i [8.26]	happened to me with all 4 just get them air filled and done. __________________ -John Project YOSHI Sale Thread
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10-31-2010, 05:01 PM	#15
Dackelone European Editor 10589 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Everytime I put air into all four tires... I will reset the TPMS via the turn signal stalk. This is the only way the system will know what the "target" tire pressures should be.
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11-23-2010, 07:41 PM	#16
jordan314 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	Hiya, newbie here with a 2008 128i convertible. The tire monitor is starting to bug me. Any time we have a cold night (50° in california) I get a low pressure warning. Once one tire was 1 lb off, the other time it was fine. I reset it each time. Is there any way to make the monitor less sensitive? Maybe I should reset it a pound or two light and then fill them up more.
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06-16-2011, 01:22 PM	#17
david986 self promotion to jg 0 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 135 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Va iTrader: (0)	Hey, looking for a followup from anyone. Had the a similar situation happen to me today (all tires down 10psi) but I didn't have the weather swing. Its been consistently 75-100F down here. Any thoughts? Also, this is my first BMW - do they not check the tire pressure during a service visit? Was in just 8 days ago for a sunroof rattle/oil change and thought they would do at least a cursory inspection.
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