A look at a BMW TPMS sensor

[slo town]

Y'all:

In case some of you don't know what TPMS sensors look like inside the wheel...this is a BMW design in my BBS CH wheel. Not all in the wheel sensors look like this, but you get the idea.

For this design, tighten to 35 in/lbs. Importantly, the threaded sleeve has a crushable collar inside it that enables proper tightening torque of the sensor to the valve stem. With a new valve stem you'll notice the threaded sleeve bottoms out on the valve stem before closing enough to clamp securely on the rim. The crushable collar is what "sets" the torque for the little round headed screw that holds the valve stem to the sensor. You'll hear and feel the crushable collar break, then you further tighten to 35 in/lbs.

FWIW,

Scott

 

[GSCJR]

An Italan valve with a German sensor, I mean, what can go wrong?

 

[BHopkins]

From what you show, those are very nice looking wheels.

 

[slo town]

From what you show, those are very nice looking wheels.

This is the car and the wheels. BBS CH 19 inch staggered. 8.5" ET 35 front with 235/35s, 9.5" ET 40 rear with 245/35s, Michelin Super Sports. The rears are gone so I'm putting on a new pair of Super Sports.

Scott

 

[jcy]

the OE wasn't Schrader?

 

[slo town]

the OE wasn't Schrader?

Schrader is the style of the valve stem, not the brand. Yes, these are schrader-style valve stems which is the worldwide standard for automobiles. A schrader-style valve stem can be either rubber or metal.

Scott

 

[jcy]

Schrader is the style of the valve stem, not the brand.

i'm not sure i'm reading this correctly, there is definitely a Schrader brand and it is the OE for my G30

 

[slo town]

i'm not sure i'm reading this correctly, there is definitely a Schrader brand and it is the OE for my G30

It looks like you are correct with respect to there actually being a Schrader brand. That said, a schrader valve stem is an industry standard style that is made by a variety of different manufacturers. My BMW has schrader STYLE valve stems made by Huf.

I’m surprised your G30 actually comes with Schrader BRANDED valve stems from the factory.

Scott

 

[jcy]

G30 actually comes with Schrader BRANDED valve stems from the factory.

ok afaik, OE is the OE manufacturer of the part, i.e. Schrader.

OEM is when the car manufacturer puts their own logo on the part. my car came with BMW branded TPMS parts, when I swapped them out at 100k miles, the BMW OEM TPMS parts were selling for something like $130 each so no way was I going to spend over $500 on OEM when the OE Schrader part was $25 each from rock auto

anyone please feel free to correct me if i'm wrong about OE vs OEM

 

[slo town]

It's not complicated. You bought a less expensive aftermarket version of the OEM Infinit part, the less expensive version from Rock Auto being manufactured by Schrader. That's an option for many different parts. Just look how many different brands of water pumps are available for the same exact application from Rock Auto, ranging from inexpensive to expensive. Not only is there a wide variation in price, there is a wide variation in quality.

For example, look at the many different brands of schrader-style TPMS sensors that Rock Auto offers for my 2011 BMW 328i; Ultra-Power, Dorman, Schrader, BH Sens, Denso, and Standard Motor Products; with prices ranging from $15 to $60 for the same application. And even so, Rock Auto's offerings aren't complete because they don't offer the Huf brand that I used, which is the OEM supplier to BMW.

I'd venture to say that your Infiniti came from the factory equipped with Denso made sensors.

Scott

 

[slo town]

New tires arrived. I'll get them mounted tomorrow. I run Mercedes Benz M01 versions because, according to Michelin, they have a stickier tread compound compared to the Star BMW versions.

Scott

 

[jcy]

It's not complicated. You bought a less expensive aftermarket version of the OEM Infinit part, the less expensive version from Rock Auto being manufactured by Schrader. That's an option for many different parts. Just look how many different brands of water pumps are available for the same exact application from Rock Auto, ranging from inexpensive to expensive. Not only is there a wide variation in price, there is a wide variation in quality.

For example, look at the many different brands of schrader-style TPMS sensors that Rock Auto offers for my 2011 BMW 328i; Ultra-Power, Dorman, Schrader, BH Sens, Denso, and Standard Motor Products; with prices ranging from $15 to $60 for the same application. And even so, Rock Auto's offerings aren't complete because they don't offer the Huf brand that I used, which is the OEM supplier to BMW.

I'd venture to say that your Infiniti came from the factory equipped with Denso made sensors.

Scott

Oh I drive a 540ix the G30 chassis specifically, I do not drive an infiniti

 

[edyvw]

An Italan valve with a German sensor, I mean, what can go wrong?

Nothing. Works like a charm.
When I switch between summer/snow/track tires it registers automatically. Unlike “some” other manufacturers.

 

[slo town]

Oh I drive a 540ix the G30 chassis specifically, I do not drive an infiniti

Haha! Too funny! G30 registered as an Infiniti to me. Sorry about that!

Anyway, you replaced your original equipment Huf made TPMS sensors with a less expensive brand. Is the quality the same? Who knows, but in general I believe you get what you pay for.

FWIW, I'm still running the same factory installed TPMS sensors on my 2011 E90 328i. Those sensors have 100K miles on them and I have no plans on replacing them. The only reason I was putting new valve stems on was because I recently installed a pair of Michelin Cup 2s on these wheels. I specifically told the tire guy to leave the existing valve stems and sensors intact, but he didn't and installed aftermarket valve stems that were 3mm longer than the ones that were on it (43mm stems were on it).

I didn't like the look, which gave me enough reason to swap the recently installed Cup 2s with a pair of Super Sports. I have a set of BBS CH fronts with nearly new Super Sports on them, so this will give me a nearly new set of Super Sports for the E90.

The Cup 2s I removed made it onto the BBS CHs I have for my E46, which had Cup 2s on them already but they were down to the wear bars. I'll order a new pair which will give me a nearly new set of Cup 2s on my E46. I have an extra wheel set, a staggered set of BMW Style 225M wheels with Pilot Sport 4Ss that I swap between the E46 and E90 when I feel like it, but I'm not a fan of the 4Ss. The Super Sports are superior, the Cup 2s otherworldly.

No doubt a ramble, but I am very particular.

A picture of my prized BBS CH shod 2003 E46 330Ci ZSP, of which I am the original owner. My E46 has never once been driven in the rain or on a wet road - literally - and has never once spent a night parked outside - literally. The only time it's outside is when I'm driving it. The undercarriage is as pristine as the body.

Scott

 

[slo town]

To finish this off, BMW's iDrive can be used to reinitialize the TPMS sensors. This process is necessary when rotating tires and/or installing new TPMS sensors. No need for dealer service to perform this.

Be sure to properly set tire pressures first!

Scott

Notice the TPMS warning.

Use iDrive to navigate through the options. All of the following are on the iDirve display in the dashboard navigation screen.

Go to TPMS.

Hit reset/

Drive for a minute or two so it can reset

Successful completion!

 

[edyvw]

To finish this off, BMW's iDrive can be used to reinitialize the TPMS sensors. This process is necessary when rotating tires and/or installing new TPMS sensors. No need for dealer service to perform this.

Be sure to properly set tire pressures first!

Scott

Notice the TPMS warning.
View attachment 323941

Use iDrive to navigate through the options. All of the following are on the iDirve display in the dashboard navigation screen.
View attachment 323942


View attachment 323943

Go to TPMS.
View attachment 323944

Hit reset/
View attachment 323945

Drive for a minute or two so it can reset
View attachment 323946

Successful completion!
View attachment 323948

Mine just does it automatically.

 

[slo town]

Mine just does it automatically.

Either way beats having to have them programmed at the dealership!

Scott

 

[edyvw]

Either way beats having to have them programmed at the dealership!

Scott

Eh, I own a Toyota too. Tell me about it.

 

[Marcozi]

Mine just does it automatically.

My F22 does it automatically, too.

 

[edyvw]

My F22 does it automatically, too.

I this OP’s is same year as mine. That is why I mentioned it. Not sure is it different bcs. mine doesn’t have iDrive.