What is a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Imagine a magic eye that watches over your BMW X6’s tires and alerts you when something goes wrong. That’s precisely what the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) does. This high-tech system uses sensors to monitor the air pressure in each tire, and if it drops below a certain level it sends a warning signal to the dashboard. The best part? The TPMS works in real-time constantly analyzing the tire pressure so you don’t have to keep guessing or checking with a manual gauge. Thanks to this innovative feature, you can rest assured that your BMW X6’s tires are always in tip-top condition, providing you with a safe and enjoyable driving experience. Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out how TPMS works, when to reset it and common causes for the tire warning light to turn on!
How to Reset BMW X6 Tire Pressure Warning Light:
VERSIONS
2008-2014 (E71)
Push the scroll dial down to select info on the Idrive infotainment system. (next to the shifter)
Select VEHICLE/TIRES
Scroll over and select TPM
Select RESET
Select YES when prompted to “Reset TPM”
Screen will say “Status: Resetting TPM…”
Drive the vehicle after completing these steps.
2015-2019 (F16)
Select MENU
Select VEHICLE INFORMATION from main Idrive menu
Select VEHICLE STATUS
Select PERFORM RESET
Select PERFORM RESET again
Drive the vehicle
2020-PRESENT (G06) Uses Direct TPMS, uses tire pressure sensors
Select CAR on the Idrive infotainment screen
Select VEHICLE STATUS
Select TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR
Select TIRE SETTINGS
Choose the correct TIRE TYPE (choose summer or winter if you swap tires for different seasons)
Select SAVE TIRE SETTINGS
If you are swapping between winter and summer tires, follow the same steps but select PERFORM RESET
Drive the Vehicle
Everything in this article is applicable to all BMW X6 versions and models including M competition versions.
(xDrive40i, M50i, X6 M, M competition & diesel models)
How Does the BMW X6 TPMS Work?
The BMW X6 tire pressure sensor system uses sensors mounted inside the tires to constantly monitor the air pressure.
The sensors send data to the car’s computer, which compares it to the recommended tire pressure.
If the tire pressure drops below a certain level, the system triggers the warning light on the dashboard. (usually 10%-25% below the recommended level)
The warning light is accompanied by an audible alert to notify the driver of the low tire pressure.
The system is capable of detecting which tire has low pressure and will display the specific tire’s location on the dashboard.
When the tire pressure is corrected, follow the steps above to reset the tire pressure system.
In the newer BMW X6 models (G06), the TPMS can also measure the temperature of each tire to provide more accurate readings and improve performance.
When to Reset BMW X6 TPMS?
After adjusting tire pressure.
After tire rotations, tire balancing, or wheel alignment procedures.
After replacing one or more tires.
After installing new rims or wheels. (remember to transfer old sensors to new wheels)
After the TPMS warning light remains on after inflating a tire to the correct pressure.
After swapping seasonal tires. (switching between winter and summer tires)
After any tire or wheel-related service or repair.
After replacing the vehicle’s battery.
After jump starting a dead battery.
After a TPMS sensor is repaired or replaced.
What are Common Causes For Tire Pressure Lights to Turn On?
Low / high tire pressure in one or more tires.
A flat tire or slow leak due to puncture or damage to the tire
A crack in one or more rim or wheel. (This is extremely common in all BMW vehicles)
Significant changes in ambient air temperature greatly affects tire pressure and is the number one cause of setting off TPMS warning lights!
Dead or dying tire pressure sensor battery. (to figure out which sensor is dead or dying you need to use a TPMS tool)
Vehicle weight overload. Too much weight in, on, or being towed by the vehicle can set off the TPMS light.
Malfunctioning, leaking or damaged TPMS sensors.
TPMS software or calibration issues. (some systems may need to be updated)
A dead vehicle battery that’s jumped can cause the TPMS light to come on.
What Happens When your BMW X6 Tires are Underinflated?
When the tires on a BMW X6 are underinflated, it can lead to various issues such as decreased fuel efficiency, increased tire tread wear, and poor handling and braking. This can ultimately result in costly repairs and replacements and a heightened risk of accidents while driving. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain proper tire pressure to ensure optimal performance and safety of your BMW X6. Regularly checking and adjusting tire pressure can prevent these problems and ensure a smooth and enjoyable driving experience. We recommend checking tire pressure at least once a month and before taking long trips! (At the least!)
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