Direct or indirect TPMS?
Discussion
Hi, I have just got a 2014 F25 X3 and the valve stems are rubber, this is throwing me because I was under the illusion that my car has direct TPMS and that the stem would be metal, do some direct TPMS systems use rubber stems or have I got indirect TPMS? Hope some one can kindly answer this for me. Cheers Cliff.
crolandc said:
Hi, I have just got a 2014 F25 X3 and the valve stems are rubber, this is throwing me because I was under the illusion that my car has direct TPMS and that the stem would be metal, do some direct TPMS systems use rubber stems or have I got indirect TPMS? Hope some one can kindly answer this for me. Cheers Cliff.
If your TPMS is working and you've got rubber valves then be very happy; you've got indirect 
Are they really that bad?
I heard the same things about the TPMS sensors on the Mondeo? Touchwood ours have been fine. But we have been very picky about which tyre fitters we go to. Only two here seem to install them fine.
They've both balanced them without a hitch as well. They've not been problem free. 2 of them have new valve stems, and two have received a service kit (keep the existing valve, but change the seals and locking device). The sensors themselves have been fine (touchwood), and they have covered 60k on the car while we have owned it (possibly 168k if they are the original sensors). IIRC they are Siemens sensors as well.
If a bloke can't jack a car up right or carefully should you really trust them to fit your tyres?
They are quite handy IMO.
I heard the same things about the TPMS sensors on the Mondeo? Touchwood ours have been fine. But we have been very picky about which tyre fitters we go to. Only two here seem to install them fine.
They've both balanced them without a hitch as well. They've not been problem free. 2 of them have new valve stems, and two have received a service kit (keep the existing valve, but change the seals and locking device). The sensors themselves have been fine (touchwood), and they have covered 60k on the car while we have owned it (possibly 168k if they are the original sensors). IIRC they are Siemens sensors as well.
If a bloke can't jack a car up right or carefully should you really trust them to fit your tyres?
They are quite handy IMO
.Edited by SebringMan on Monday 20th March 23:43
crolandc said:
Ahh if only, I put my reg down on the TPMS warehouse site and they told me I have 433 MHz sensors, it shows a picture of a Schrader ez 433 sensor and the bloody valve is rubber...oh well....thanks for the replies folks, Cliff.
Did you ever got to the bottom of this ? Mine a rubber and I get an alert from time to time (only shows all 4 tyres on the display, no pressures).I need 4 new tyres anyhow (2011 F25 X3M 30d) but simply not sure if to get an indy to fit them + new 433 monitors or if it uses ABS and therefore no point in spending 160 quid on 4 new sensors and get Kwik Fit to do the tyres !
Interestingly if I enter my reg into either Euro Car parts or a TPMS site , it states that I need a direct sensor at circa £50 a corner.
However having just changed all 4 wheels and tyres, watched my friendly tyre fitter fit on my drive, spoken to my local main dealer and the independent that has worked on all our BMWs for the last 20 years, my '13 3.0d MSport F25 definitely uses the indirect system via the ABS system.
The iDrive display shows not the pressures but 4 greens. I don't know, however, if there was a mid-life change during the life of the F25 model.
However having just changed all 4 wheels and tyres, watched my friendly tyre fitter fit on my drive, spoken to my local main dealer and the independent that has worked on all our BMWs for the last 20 years, my '13 3.0d MSport F25 definitely uses the indirect system via the ABS system.
The iDrive display shows not the pressures but 4 greens. I don't know, however, if there was a mid-life change during the life of the F25 model.
ric p said:
Interestingly if I enter my reg into either Euro Car parts or a TPMS site , it states that I need a direct sensor at circa £50 a corner.
However having just changed all 4 wheels and tyres, watched my friendly tyre fitter fit on my drive, spoken to my local main dealer and the independent that has worked on all our BMWs for the last 20 years, my '13 3.0d MSport F25 definitely uses the indirect system via the ABS system.
The iDrive display shows not the pressures but 4 greens. I don't know, however, if there was a mid-life change during the life of the F25 model.
Same here ... get the same result However having just changed all 4 wheels and tyres, watched my friendly tyre fitter fit on my drive, spoken to my local main dealer and the independent that has worked on all our BMWs for the last 20 years, my '13 3.0d MSport F25 definitely uses the indirect system via the ABS system.
The iDrive display shows not the pressures but 4 greens. I don't know, however, if there was a mid-life change during the life of the F25 model.
The tyres are due to be delivered tomorrow as ordered from Italy (cheaper than uk even once the fitting charge is added). The TPMS sensors will be delivered in next couple of days and can be refunded up to 30th Jan ... I'll get the Indy to fit them next week and if there are sensors then replace them. If no sensors then I'll be refunding ... cheers
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