Losing pressure with new Potenza RE-11

VisualCSharp · 01-31-2010, 12:00 PM

I recently purchased four new Potenza RE-11 tires from TireRack.com for my 135: 225/40R-18 for the front and 255/35R-18 for the rear.

I've been having trouble keeping pressure in the front tires. I frequently check my air pressure and it can be fine for several days and then suddenly the next day I get the "LOW TIRE" red warning on the dash. I do not believe the tire has any damage and I can't hear any leak. In this case it's the front-right but I've had issues with the front-left as well.

For example, I filled the front-right tire up to 36 psi last night and drove home carefully. I took the car out this morning and right after going around a sharp left turn hard with DTC on I got the LOW TIRE warning.

I am wondering if these could be possible causes:

Could the tires be too wide for the BMW performance rims, leading to improper tire bead seating?
Would taking corners under high load possibly be separating the sidewall from the wheel somehow?

For now I'm driving the car much softer around corners to see if I can further verify that it's hard cornering causing the issues.

Anyone knowledgeable about such things is welcome to comment.

JME · 01-31-2010, 02:38 PM

Are the wheels bent at all? That would be my first place to check, especially if it is coming from the front wheels.

VisualCSharp · 01-31-2010, 03:24 PM

That's what I thought but no, they are not bent. A small amount of curb rash to be sure but they are not bent.

BMW86 · 01-31-2010, 04:04 PM

I have RE-11's so I'll check my tire pressure and get back to you today. Only travelled 3000km on them but no warning light so far.

VisualCSharp · 01-31-2010, 06:12 PM

Do you have the same size as I do, on the 18" performance wheels?

BMW86 · 01-31-2010, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VisualCSharp

Do you have the same size as I do, on the 18" performance wheels?

I'm on stock wheels but I assume the performance wheels are the same size, 7.5f and 8.5r. I'm changing to CSL's which run slightly wider when I get them.

Jaguar66 · 01-31-2010, 06:54 PM

!

VisualCSharp · 01-31-2010, 07:07 PM

It's actually not the same issue. The issue with the front-left tire was (I believe) improper installation or a defective tire bead. I have since had that tire replaced with absolutely no issues.

I discovered what the issue is just now on a trip out to a restaurant. I checked the pressure before I left: 38 psi. While driving there the TPMS warning indicator came on. Checked the pressure at my destination: 22 psi. Inflated the tire at a nearby gas station to 40 psi. Got home and now it's 27 psi. Just on a hunch I tried bending the valve stem and sure enough, air started leaking out! I think the lateral forces on the tire are bending the valve stem in such a way as to cause air to leak out. I have no idea how it became damaged but I guess that doesn't matter.

Driving it to BMW of Austin tomorrow. I'll let everyone know what I find.

mleskovar · 01-31-2010, 10:20 PM

Sounds like your valve stems are not tightened or properly installed. The valve stems for TPMS can be tightened with the hex nut beneath the valve cap. I bought a TPMS to check out the possibility of using proactive tire sealant and it came with two crush washers and a rubber grommet/gasket.

VisualCSharp · 02-01-2010, 12:09 PM

Thanks for the replies, folks. Sure enough, BMW told me the tire was installed incorrectly. They fixed the valve stem free of charge.

BMW86 · 02-02-2010, 04:16 PM

I have RE-11's for the past month and this happened to me for the first time this morning. I lost pressure in the rear right. All other tyres were set between 38-40 and the rear right was 30. The warning light came on and I pulled into a servo straight away and pumped it up.

I'm also experiencing the clicking noise from what it sounds like the rear right. The dealers have been unable to fix the problem and are clueless as to what it is.

The losing pressure problem has come at the worst time as I have 2 upcoming road-trips where I'll have no reception most of the time

If losing pressure persists I will have to take it into the dealer and ask them to check out the valve stems.

01-31-2010, 12:00 PM	#1
VisualCSharp New Member 5 Rep 24 Posts Drives: BMW 135i 6AT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Losing pressure with new Potenza RE-11 I recently purchased four new Potenza RE-11 tires from TireRack.com for my 135: 225/40R-18 for the front and 255/35R-18 for the rear. I've been having trouble keeping pressure in the front tires. I frequently check my air pressure and it can be fine for several days and then suddenly the next day I get the "LOW TIRE" red warning on the dash. I do not believe the tire has any damage and I can't hear any leak. In this case it's the front-right but I've had issues with the front-left as well. For example, I filled the front-right tire up to 36 psi last night and drove home carefully. I took the car out this morning and right after going around a sharp left turn hard with DTC on I got the LOW TIRE warning. I am wondering if these could be possible causes: Could the tires be too wide for the BMW performance rims, leading to improper tire bead seating? Would taking corners under high load possibly be separating the sidewall from the wheel somehow? For now I'm driving the car much softer around corners to see if I can further verify that it's hard cornering causing the issues. Anyone knowledgeable about such things is welcome to comment.
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01-31-2010, 02:38 PM	#2
JME Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 239 Posts Drives: Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	Are the wheels bent at all? That would be my first place to check, especially if it is coming from the front wheels.
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01-31-2010, 03:24 PM	#3
VisualCSharp New Member 5 Rep 24 Posts Drives: BMW 135i 6AT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	That's what I thought but no, they are not bent. A small amount of curb rash to be sure but they are not bent.
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01-31-2010, 04:04 PM	#4
BMW86 Major General 398 Rep 9,156 Posts Drives: RS3 Sedan / Macan S Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	I have RE-11's so I'll check my tire pressure and get back to you today. Only travelled 3000km on them but no warning light so far.
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01-31-2010, 06:12 PM	#5
VisualCSharp New Member 5 Rep 24 Posts Drives: BMW 135i 6AT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Do you have the same size as I do, on the 18" performance wheels?
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01-31-2010, 06:54 PM	#7
Jaguar66 M Power 41 Rep 1,469 Posts Drives: '09 ///M-Sport 135i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Rafael iTrader: (3)	! __________________ Last edited by Jaguar66; 04-17-2010 at 01:41 PM..
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01-31-2010, 07:07 PM	#8
VisualCSharp New Member 5 Rep 24 Posts Drives: BMW 135i 6AT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	It's actually not the same issue. The issue with the front-left tire was (I believe) improper installation or a defective tire bead. I have since had that tire replaced with absolutely no issues. I discovered what the issue is just now on a trip out to a restaurant. I checked the pressure before I left: 38 psi. While driving there the TPMS warning indicator came on. Checked the pressure at my destination: 22 psi. Inflated the tire at a nearby gas station to 40 psi. Got home and now it's 27 psi. Just on a hunch I tried bending the valve stem and sure enough, air started leaking out! I think the lateral forces on the tire are bending the valve stem in such a way as to cause air to leak out. I have no idea how it became damaged but I guess that doesn't matter. Driving it to BMW of Austin tomorrow. I'll let everyone know what I find.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-31-2010, 10:20 PM	#9
mleskovar Lieutenant 79 Rep 435 Posts Drives: '18 230i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Huntington Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	Sounds like your valve stems are not tightened or properly installed. The valve stems for TPMS can be tightened with the hex nut beneath the valve cap. I bought a TPMS to check out the possibility of using proactive tire sealant and it came with two crush washers and a rubber grommet/gasket.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-01-2010, 12:09 PM	#10
VisualCSharp New Member 5 Rep 24 Posts Drives: BMW 135i 6AT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the replies, folks. Sure enough, BMW told me the tire was installed incorrectly. They fixed the valve stem free of charge.
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02-02-2010, 04:16 PM	#11
BMW86 Major General 398 Rep 9,156 Posts Drives: RS3 Sedan / Macan S Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	I have RE-11's for the past month and this happened to me for the first time this morning. I lost pressure in the rear right. All other tyres were set between 38-40 and the rear right was 30. The warning light came on and I pulled into a servo straight away and pumped it up. I'm also experiencing the clicking noise from what it sounds like the rear right. The dealers have been unable to fix the problem and are clueless as to what it is. The losing pressure problem has come at the worst time as I have 2 upcoming road-trips where I'll have no reception most of the time If losing pressure persists I will have to take it into the dealer and ask them to check out the valve stems.
	Appreciate 0 Quote