Looking to buy a new set of wheels for my 2013 Countryman All4.

How do I know if I currently have pressure sensors on my 17" wheels today. From what I understand there is an indrect way for the CM to determine loss of pressure by using the ABS system.

Is there an easy way to determine this (or do all US countryman use the same system).

 

I think all have the tire pressure sensors. If you have rubber valve stems you probably do not have tire pressure monitors.

 

Yes, all US countryman use the same system. You have tire pressure sensors in your wheels.

 

The indirect system was not installed on US bound cars after 2007....
It did not meet us government rules....
So you have sensors.

 

Indirect TPMS are not accurate on run flat tires since the tire radius is not affect as much on runflats with low air pressure.

 

Well...almost...kinda...sorts...not really...
With the indirect system, it monitors rpms over a long period of time...remember..gen1 cars had the indirect system (some EARLY GEN2 DID TWO)....
issue is...system can tell you when a tire is flat (works fine with runflats!!)...but takes a couple seconds... With a standard tire you are already pulling over cause you felt it BEFORE the light went on.....
Biggest reason for the change was government rules for tpms, looking to monitor for LOW psi...to increase mpg and prevent more Firestone/ford exploder type crashes....

 

A runflat's radius will not decrease as much as a conventional tire as air pressure decrease due to the stiff sidewalls. A indirect TPMS system on a runflat will not be sensitive enough. With a slow leak, by the time the indirect system sense a low pressure in the runflat, one could have been driving around for months with low enough air pressure to cause a dangerous problem such as the decrease in the tire's load rating due to the low pressure, not to mention tread separation as you stated. If you catch a flat tire early enough on a runflat, it can be patch if you keep it inflated. With the indirect system, by the time the warning is on, the tire is almost completely flat. If that's what you mean by indirect TPMS works fine with runflats, then yes, it will work but don't count on it as an early warning system.

 

It was sensitive enough for all mini's from 2002-2007....and MOST cars mini sold overseas till recently.....on a technology level, you might be right...but functionly it WORKED...I had a warning on a runflats with a nail...had about 25 psi left in it...was patched..back in ..er 2005.

 

Did you have the runflat tires on your 2005 Mini?

 

I've read my manual and am still confused. If I'm getting a low tire warning is that the same as a flat tire warning- cited in the manual? There's nothing about low tire. Can I just add air and reset as directed in the manual or is the tire shot? This is a 2013 Countryman S.

 

The sensors simply report tire pressure and temperature to the TPMS ECU, so to the system there is really not a difference between low and flat. If the tire is not visibly damaged, add air and reset.

 

Yes...all "S" mini's were delivered with runflats as were are coopers with tires other than the stock 15' size...so ALL MINI'S with non-15 inch rims got runflats...(so ANY MINI going back to 2002 with 16 or bigger rms got runflats....).

 

I found out this morning, it was 42 degrees out and all 4 sensors went off!

Most worthless invention ever!

 

Depends....
It might just need a bit of air...
It might have a nail or other issue allowing a slow leak, this needs a repair/replacement.....
If you are unsure, it is best to go to a tire shop....just adding air to a tire that MIGHT have a nail or screw in it is dangerous thing....a friend thstvknows cars might be able to help you...

 

You can thank the us government for them.....they are required (in the us).

 

Unless you check your tire pressure weekly like you are suppose to, and we all know 99% of drivers do not, TPMS is a very good safety feature.

 

Still...it is like crying wolf....

 

on cars with the TPMS SENSORS in the wheels, when you do a reset, the system "remembers" the current pressure in each wheel and alarms when the pressure falls some predetermined amount below that

i have eliminated false alarms this way

i run 42 psi front/38 psi rear

i set all tires to 32 psi (per OM), do a TPMS reset, set pressures to 42 f/ 38 rear ... now if i get a warning, it is real ... i have a tire going down

i arrived at my pressures using a tire pyrometer i borrowed from a racer buddy

i check the tire pressure weekly, before driving

 

I was traveling this weekend so car was not in garage, so with it being 42 I got my first warning. My issue is the dealer did not reset sensors when they rotated tires so it said left front low but it was was fine. Back was right on the margin, car was running and all I did was pop hose on and warning went off. Had fed the machine a dollar so I brought them all up a couple of pounds.

 

Yea check your tire pressure bmwr606 , great advice, reset them after a swap , they all have the TPMS in the US, outside of the US some do and some don't dependent on the countries rules and regulations. When you get a full new set of wheels and need new sensors , we have them here.

Carryy one of these incase I get a weird error , usually from a large weather temp change ( warm to cold ). Just to make sure the sensors are not bad.

Official MINI Tire Gauge 82120150931

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/82120150931/



Thanks

 

Agreed, the system on our '03 MCS worked as it should have whether we used run flats or non run flats.