How to reset tyre pressure on a BMW
Learn how to reset the tyre pressure on your BMW and find out more about how tyre pressure can be affected
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When it comes to maintaining a BMW, keeping on top of tyre pressure is important. To enjoy your premium car to the best standard, properly filled tyres are a must.
What is tyre pressure?
Tyre pressure refers to the amount of air inside your tyres. Making sure you’re filled to the correct amount is important to get the best fuel efficiency, keep your tyres in good condition, and ensure you’re safe on the roads.
Tyre pressure is measured by calculating the amount of air pumped into the tyre per square inch, or by another measurement known as BAR pressure.
You’ll be able to find the recommended tyre pressure for your car in your vehicle's handbook, inside the fuel cap, and stamped on the sill inside the passenger door.
Each used BMW model will have its own recommended tyre pressure, so make sure you confirm yours before pumping up.
What can affect your tyre pressure?
It’s really important you have tyre pressure on your list of regular maintenance, especially before you head off on a long drive.
There are a number of things that can affect tyre pressure on your BMW, such as:
Punctures or slow punctures
One of the more obvious reasons of losing tyre pressure is a puncture or a slow puncture. Slow punctures are harder to recognise, but a regular decrease in pressure on one tyre, at a faster rate than the others, is a good indicator that air is slowly escaping.
If you do have a puncture on a tyre in your BMW, you’ll usually notice the pressure dropping by around 4 PSI per day.
Changes in temperature
Tyres will expand when exposed to hot temperatures and contract when cold, and this can lead to changes in tyre pressure.
Changes in temperature like these can cause tyres to be under-inflated or overinflated.
It’s a good idea to monitor your tyres regularly when the weather changes and keep an eye out for signs like bulging.
Faulty tyre valve
The tyre valve is put in place to keep the air locked into your tyres, so a faulty valve can lead to pressure loss.
With a faulty air valve, you’ll experience pressure loss like you would with a puncture.
It’s a good idea to rule out your valve before concluding that a puncture is the problem.
Damage to the tyre
Another reason for a drop in tyre pressure could be damage to the tyre bead, which is the inner circle that connects the tyre to the rim.
This can happen with usage overtime, so is more common in older tyres that have been on your BMW for a while.
You might also experience damage to your tyre bead if your wheels are incorrectly aligned, but this is usually a straightforward fix at a reputable garage.
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How to reset tyre pressure on BMW
Your BMW is pretty smart – in newer models with tyre pressure sensors, the iDrive system will let you know when pressure is low.
It’s quick and easy to reset the tyre pressure on your BMW:
As soon as you notice that the tyre pressure on your BMW is low, pull over when it’s safe and inspect the condition of your tyres. With run flat tyres, the reinforced sidewalls mean you can travel up to 50 miles at 50mph – but it’s usually safer to stop as soon as possible
Check the individual tyre pressure by using the iDrive system and navigating to the Vehicle Status section, then to the tyre pressure monitor
Once you’ve identified which tyre has the incorrect tyre pressure, refill your tyre to the correct PSI
Go back to the Vehicle Status and Tyre Pressure section on the iDrive system, and select ‘Tyre Settings’
At the bottom of the settings menu, you should find the option for ‘Perform Reset’
If your BMW is running and stationary, you can select the reset option and head out for a short drive (two to six miles should do it) for the reset to be complete
If you notice that your tyre pressure is reducing regularly, especially if one tyre is dropping faster than the others, it’s worth visiting a garage to get their opinion. You could have a puncture or a faulty tyre valve that’s causing issues.
Is BMW iDrive useful?
BMW iDrive is the luxury system fitted within the car that gives you access to a range of features without the need for loads of buttons and switches on the dash.
Depending on the age of your BMW, you might be able to navigate your iDrive system via touchscreen or the classic rotary dial between the seats. Newer models from BMW also use voice command and steering wheel controls.
The iDrive system is brilliantly useful and gives access to a range of entertainment, comfort, and vehicle management functions.
The latest system is the iDrive 8.0 model and includes features like gesture control, a climate menu for controlling temperatures, voice control, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
You’ll be able to use the iDrive infotainment screen for 2D and 3D sat nav, plus use the 360-degree camera for parking and manoeuvres.
So, while the BMW iDrive is handy for monitoring vehicle settings like tyre pressure, the system is brilliant for using so many features across the car.
It’s a useful system that keeps everything in one place and rids the need for a complicated set-up.