Hi All,

As many of you know, one of the changes made in the later build 07 MINIs (what we've been classifying as one of the 08 model year changes) is the new Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS or just TPM). Well, I just thought that I'd share with you what the new TPM system looks like on the nav system's onboard monitor (as compared to the older Flat Tire Monitor or FTM system that's shown in the owner's manual).

I was browsing through the Owner's Guide and found that it still references the old FTM system (where any significant tire pressure loss in one tire is discovered based upon a change in its rolling radius as compared to the other tires). However, our just delivered week 34 build MINI came with the new TPM system (where the actual pressure of each individual tire is monitored by the system via sensors installed inside the tire as part of the valve stem) and it looks pretty darn cool on the nav display:



Apparently, the green wheels turn orange/yellow when they have low tire pressure and red when flat. Very cool! It would be nice if the actual pressure of each of the tires was displayed though. Although... In the unit settings section of the nav system there is a unit setting for tire pressure (e.g. PSI or kPa), and so I guess it's possible that the actual pressure of a tire would/could be displayed when it's low or flat. I'll have to test it out when I get some more free time.

I'm really enjoying how well the whole computer system is now integrated into the nav system in the newer 2nd gen MINI's. Our 1st gen R53 is nowhere even close to being as cool as this setup. Way to go MINI!

 

Where did you see this? I don't have that feature :( Could it be because I don't have run flat tires?

 

It's only on the newer build cars that have the new TPM system (with the sensors inside the tires). I think it started somewhere around the 32nd week of production. Otherwise, you'd have the older FTM system (that doesn't have the graphical warning/monitoring system shown above).

To access it:

1) Press the Home button

2) Go to "Setup"

3) Select "Settings"

4) Select "Vehicle and tires"

5) Select "TPM" (or "FTM" if you have the older tire monitoring system)

Also, if you get a flat (or a low tire pressure warning), the nav's Control Display automatically flips to this screen as part of the warning system I believe.

 

OfficeMaven: Try letting some air out of a tire and see what happens. If you didn't order the Nav what happens, does it show in the radio display (I assume the TPM is on all newer units Nav or not)?

 

Yes, I'm quite sure the non-navi cars have the warning system as well. It probably just displays a simple warning icon on the OBC though.

I'm planning on letting the air out of one of the tires for a test (since I need to check how much air came in the tires anyway) and will let you guys know what happens. Trouble is that it's the wife's car and so she has it at work all day.

 

It is nice to have it tell you which wheel is low, but not cool enough to give up the option of running non-runflat tires.

It would be much much better if you could check actual pressures whenever you wanted to. I'm surprised they don't have that.

 

This doesn't affect whether you can use non runflats, apart from the issues with the sealants not getting thru the new valves.

The most annoying thing for me is that unless you drop 2100 bucks for the nav (a ridiculous amount in my mind at 1/10 the base price of an MCS) you don't get this functionality, just an idiot light like the old days.

 

Nice!

How does the pressure #'s get from the tire valve to the computer? Wireless?

 

I agree... I see no reason why the new sensors would prevent someone from running non-runflat tires???

I also see no reason why they would stop someone from changing their rims for aftermarket ones either. My neighbor just bought a new Toyota truck that has the TPMS sensors and he simply swapped the sensors from his stock rims into the new (aftermarket) rims and it works fine. No problems at all.

@Birdman, yes, I do believe that the signal is picked up wirelessly somehow.

 

Agreed. Seems silly that MINI didn't take the time to allow that to happen since it would be very easy for them to do so (i.e. they're already doing it internally and the UI is already 99.9% of the way there on the nav equipped cars). However, this isn't limited to just MINI. My neighbor's new Toyota does the same exact thing in that it won't let you monitor the current pressure in each tire even though the system knows what it is. Strange.

 

Aha! Thius explains the HUGE price increase in OEM wheels for '07 cars-as an example, the 18" Star Spoke JCW wheel/tire package is $2295 for '06, and $3050 for an '07....these of course are list prices, and you can get 20% or more off of them, but it's stll gonna be $500 more....

How does the aftermarket deal with this? Do you simply give up your TPMS, or can the valves/sensors be retrofitted?

 

The same could be said for the absolutely ridiculous $2,000 price tag on the leather seats. Ouch! :impatient At least with the nav system you get some real functionality for your money and it's super sweet the way that the whole computer setup/warning system, entertainment system, communication system, etc. is integrated into it (i.e. it's not just a nav system anymore).

I'm not really defending the price of the nav system mind you (as I totally agree that $2,100 is a rip off), just trying to point out that there are other options on the MINI that are just as bad (if not worse).

While shopping around for cars, we found base MINIs to be very competitively priced. However, as soon as you start adding on options (such as nav, Bluetooth, leather, etc.), the MINIs quickly out paced their competition (price wise) for similarly equipped cars. MINI's options are outrageously over priced and some would say bordering on price gouging.

However, I just couldn't get myself to purchase the MINI without the nav system. It just completed the package IMHO.

EDIT: Also, I would imagine that the non-nav cars have a very similar system that is delivered via the digital OBC readout on the tach.

 

Yes, I'm sure it does. Also, when MINI USA slipped up and changed the online configurator to show 08 convertible pricing for the hardtops, each of the standard rim sets went up by $150. I'm sure that's to cover their cost on the new TPMS.

Also, as I mentioned, my neighbor simply moved the new TPMS sensors into his aftermarket rims and it worked great. No problem at all as long as the sensors fit into the grooves of the new rims I guess.

 

Supposedly, Goop wont get past the sensor to fix a leak. So, you either have to carry a spare, or risk getting stuck. What would your strategy be for running non-runflats on a TPSM equipped car?

However, the NAV is not just a NAV. It has other features of the MINI integrated into it. To me it was worth the price. Steep, but worth it. MINI really gets you on the add-ons. The iPod Adaptor is going to cost $600, installed. I'd love to have it, but...

Not all rims will fit sensors. Eventually, mfgs will upgrade them so they do. However, it makes buying used wheels a little tricky.

Yes, it is a wireless system.

 

I got word from Alex at Tirerack that the conticomfort kit will get past the sensor and fill the tire, but it will likely wreck the sensor. Not a bad tradeoff for an emergency.

 

A bit off topic... I want to mention that the MINI's wheel/tire packages have always been outrageously priced, but part of the reason is what they charge for tires. You can purchase just OEM wheels alone and get tires elsewhere and save quite a bit over MINI's package (even with the same runflats).

 

OK, so the sensor transmits wirelessly - so how is it powered? Is the rotation of the wheel used to generate power... pressure?

Just curious!

 

A wee battery in each sensor.

 

so how do you replace the battery?

 

They're lithium-ion batteries with a ten-year service life. When they go dead, I don't know if they're replaceable.

 

Tirerack has replacement sensors, it's about $240 for a set of 4 that they'll install with your wheel/tire combo. I'd rather just be rid of the whole thing and stick to the common sense walk around your car method :P
Any idea if the tpms can be disabled ?

 

Fyi, this may be a viable alternative to "Goop" for vehicles running the TPMS.

http://www.dynaplug.com/

I currently have these in my car (I don't have a compressor, but in southern california a gas station isn't that hard to find once I get the hole plugged).

The wheel can be plugged while mounted, and all you have to do is inflate it afterwards.

 

In all honesty, how do you intend to use this tool in pitch black darkness (cannot see), freezing cold (numb fingers) in real-life conditions...

It does not seem realistic...unless you are back home in your well-lit garage..

 

I don't know what miserable part of Alaska you live in, but I do most of my driving during the day & rarely does the temp. drop below freezing. If you've got it that rough, call your roadside assistance You can also buy a flashlight & a set of gloves for your toolkit.
Most flats end up being slow leaks from a nail or screw, so odds are you're going to spot it while your at a gas station or when you're about to leave the house.
I just ordered one up, if it works, it'd beat, going in to work, pulling the wheel off, pulling the tire off, installing a plug from inside the tire, re-seating the tire, balancing the wheel again, re-mounting it....
just need a few CO2 air cartridges to finish off the kit or one of those cheesy cigarette lighter air compressors