TPMS Recalibration?

[MIKE R]

I've just inflated my tyres to 36psi front and 42 rear using (what I believe to be) an accurate tyre pressure guage. Unfortunately when riding the tyre pressures on the TFT are showing 42F, 53R. When I inflated the tyres the ambient temperature was about 10-12 degrees centigrade and I fully understand that the TMPS compensates to give a readout that the pressure would be at 20 degrees C. To me this seems t obe to big a varience. The bike handles perfectly.

I'm going for a service in 10 days time and will ask them to check the accuracy of the TMPS readout. If they confirm that the pressures shown on the TFT are inaccurate, can this be fixed by a re-calibration of will the tyres have to be removed and new sensors fitted? The bike is still under warranty

Mike

 

[philbuck]

I've just inflated my tyres to 36psi front and 42 rear using (what I believe to be) an accurate tyre pressure guage. Unfortunately when riding the tyre pressures on the TFT are showing 42F, 53R. When I inflated the tyres the ambient temperature was about 10-12 degrees centigrade and I fully understand that the TMPS compensates to give a readout that the pressure would be at 20 degrees C. To me this seems t obe to big a varience. The bike handles perfectly.

I'm going for a service in 10 days time and will ask them to check the accuracy of the TMPS readout. If they confirm that the pressures shown on the TFT are inaccurate, can this be fixed by a re-calibration of will the tyres have to be removed and new sensors fitted? The bike is still under warranty

Mike

Maybe a second tyre pressure gauge to corroborate your initial readings...........

I'm not aware that the TPMS can be re-callibrated, unless a new coding feature has been added by one of the third party systems that we use to re-set service intervals, open valves, etc.
(I have changed a few TPMS over the years, and they just seem to read accurately, when they work!!)

 

[botus]

mine rides and handles far better with much lower front tyre pressure - otherwise its just smashing off every dimple - like a merc Hamilton drove

 

[tomtom1200]

The whole system is a bit riddiculous. It uses a reference temperature of something like 20 degrees (as you said) and then adjust the reading against that. I means that when you are not on the ref temperature the reading is wrong. They have done this for ages and I can't believe it doesn't just use the actual measurement.

Especially when riding in hot conditions (+30 degrees) the display can signficantly under read the actual pressure

 

[tomtom1200]

mine rides and handles far better with much lower front tyre pressure - otherwise its just smashing off every dimple - like a merc Hamilton drove

I am old enough to remember when bikes had different pressures depending on weight, load etc. The world of everything being 36/42 is a bit silly, its not the same for cars. I ride solo and have found that knocking about 3 psi of the front and about 4 of the rear is the best compromise for me personally. For motorway I do put them back to 36/42 though.

 

[TaskMule]

I would suggest that the TPMS is not meant to give an accurate pressure reading or reliably tell you the difference between a cold tire and a hot tire. It is specifically to warn you when one or more tires is way out of range indicating a leak. This is something they do quite well.
The 36/42 is the specified pressure for fully loaded two up. You can absolutely drop that a few psi with single rider no luggage. BMW isn't going to make those suggestions because it's too variable. It's up to the rider to decide. Also as we all know 36/42 cold will be around 39/45 hot

 

[MIKE R]

Maybe a second tyre pressure gauge to corroborate your initial readings...........

I'm not aware that the TPMS can be re-callibrated, unless a new coding feature has been added by one of the third party systems that we use to re-set service intervals, open valves, etc.
(I have changed a few TPMS over the years, and they just seem to read accurately, when they work!!)

Thanks for your reply.

I have another bike with TPMS through the TFT and the pressures shown on that are +/-2psi with those on the pressure gauge.

I would suggest that the TPMS is not meant to give an accurate pressure reading or reliably tell you the difference between a cold tire and a hot tire. It is specifically to warn you when one or more tires is way out of range indicating a leak. This is something they do quite well.
The 36/42 is the specified pressure for fully loaded two up. You can absolutely drop that a few psi with single rider no luggage. BMW isn't going to make those suggestions because it's too variable. It's up to the rider to decide. Also as we all know 36/42 cold will be around 39/45 hot

I tend to agree with most of the above especially the TPMS main function is to warn you of a deflation. However, before I put the bike away for the winter (I'm fortunate to have a few bikes, and I kept one on the road) I would pump the tyres up to 36/42 and the TFT would normally show up to 34-38 and 39-45 depending on the ambient tempurature. The pressures reported in my original post are far above what they were, hence my post

Tyre pressures are an individual thing. My manual gives only 36/42 and I'm quite happy with these general pressures which can alter according to ambient tempurature, altitude. roads that warm the tryes up at a different rate etc etc. Weight is also a factor but I must confess when I'm touring abroad with full panniers I don't adjust the tyre pressures when I leave the hotel for a day out with empty or no panniers

Mike

 

[MIKE R]

The whole system is a bit riddiculous. It uses a reference temperature of something like 20 degrees (as you said) and then adjust the reading against that. I means that when you are not on the ref temperature the reading is wrong. They have done this for ages and I can't believe it doesn't just use the actual measurement.

Especially when riding in hot conditions (+30 degrees) the display can signficantly under read the actual pressure

Totally agree

Mike

 

[botus]

my bikes with TPMS all seem to give pretty accurate values on pressure - yes they are modified by the bike to make it seem like there is less variation between a hot and cold tyre - and I find the tyre temps a great safety feature - its a real shame BM have stolen than chocie from us on k1600 and all the LCD cluster bikes

if smashing it down, overloaded at 130mph in germany for mile upon end - seeing its still under 60C is quite a reassuring thing

 

[IrishGaucho]

I have the same issue with mine, it definitely reads too high. Not by that much though, but always 3/4 PSI higher than all my other gauges, manual, digital and the one of my little portable tyre inflator.

It wasn't as bad on my previous bikes, there's something going on on the software for sure.

 

[botus]

if you are seeing TPMS values in cold ambient temps higher than the actual, its meant too - 3 to 4 PSI above at temps under 11C would be exactly what to expect

it has a make me feel good curve build in - meaning TPMS fakes stable readings between a cold (low pressure) and a hot (higher) tyre

get the tyres up to 25C and now see if they are reading about right

 

[MIKE R]

I've just inflated my tyres to 36psi front and 42 rear using (what I believe to be) an accurate tyre pressure guage. Unfortunately when riding the tyre pressures on the TFT are showing 42F, 53R. When I inflated the tyres the ambient temperature was about 10-12 degrees centigrade and I fully understand that the TMPS compensates to give a readout that the pressure would be at 20 degrees C. To me this seems t obe to big a varience. The bike handles perfectly.

I'm going for a service in 10 days time and will ask them to check the accuracy of the TMPS readout. If they confirm that the pressures shown on the TFT are inaccurate, can this be fixed by a re-calibration of will the tyres have to be removed and new sensors fitted? The bike is still under warranty

Mike

Dealer checked the TPMS and said the readings were out of the acceptable range and that they had recalibrated them. All good now.

Mike

 

[botus]

billy BS dealership lies

the customer is always right - a gullible idiot that believes all the rubbish we say

 

[simmo1]

I currently have a 2024 F800GS. The tpms readings for both wheels read about 4psi higher than multiple gauges at 20 deg C. At a dealer service I asked them if they could recalibrate the sensors. This was done and they then read correctly at standard temp, 20 deg C. So yes recalibration can be done

 

[RallyeGS]

Is that something that can be done with a GS911, or is it a trip to the dealers to have them recalibrated?

 

[simmo1]

Is that something that can be done with a GS911, or is it a trip to the dealers to have them recalibrated?

For me it was a dealer, I don't have the GS911 so not sure

 

[Martin GSA UK]

Mine also reads higher on the TFT screen and so did both of my 1250s. I have checked my digital pump against a dial guage and also one of those old style extending pressure guages, those three are within 2 psi of each other, so I use my digital pump and double check occasionally.

I like my tyres bang on, even slightly over the recommended pressures. I find it improves steering response and I've not found it reduces grip, even in the wet. I take time to warm everything up though, at least 10 miles in the winter, before I lean on it more.