Tire PSI Settings

RFernando · 06-07-2019, 09:51 AM

Hello,

I was wondering if you could provide some clarity on what PSI I should be running in my tires - I have the 21" wheels with run flats.

The "recommended PSI" on the door sticker differs from what the recommended PSI says on the TPMS iDrive screen.

Door Sticker Says FRONT: 33 psi / REAR: 38 psi
iDrive TPMS Says: FRONT: 39 psi / REAR: 44 psi

I got my winters swapped out and the tire shop has inflated them to the "door sticker specs" but I believe they were set to the higher "iDrive" setting when I received the vehicle from the dealer.

Just wondering which numbers I should go with, or if that 5-6 psi even really matters?

lo_cheng · 06-07-2019, 10:32 AM

I also thinking about the same, it is confusing.
and when I saw the iDrive PSI, i was like: Wow, really? 44 PSI?

HoustonEaDo · 06-07-2019, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RFernando

Hello,

I was wondering if you could provide some clarity on what PSI I should be running in my tires - I have the 21" wheels with run flats.

The "recommended PSI" on the door sticker differs from what the recommended PSI says on the TPMS iDrive screen.

Door Sticker Says FRONT: 33 psi / REAR: 38 psi
iDrive TPMS Says: FRONT: 39 psi / REAR: 44 psi

I got my winters swapped out and the tire shop has inflated them to the "door sticker specs" but I believe they were set to the higher "iDrive" setting when I received the vehicle from the dealer.

Just wondering which numbers I should go with, or if that 5-6 psi even really matters?

I don't remember if my door sticker matches iDrive, but I did have to change the details for my tires in iDrive - it thought I had 19" all season tires (if I remember correctly) when I have 21" summer tires

Verify your iDrive has the correct details regarding your tires - 21", summer, etc...

MechX3M40i · 06-07-2019, 12:17 PM

I have the 20" set. After properly setting the right tire size in iDrive, there is also an option to choose if I normally drive below 100mph or above - iDrive will then recommend the most appropriate tire pressure based on tire size and speed.

After a while though, iDrive will also learn my driving habit and 'tweaks' the recommended psi for my tires. In addition, it will also continuously tweak the number based on temp of tires. I follow the more 'dynamic' way iDrive recommended, but it took me a while to adjust the tire pressure perfectly to closely match iDrive recommendation. So for example, iDrive would recommend 33/36 front/rear in the morning when it's cool outside, and the tires are also at low temp (e.g. 70F). But in the afternoon commute home, iDrive will change the recommended setting to 35/38 after I drive for at least 5-10 miles, but by then, my tires will be at 100F so the pressure on the tires will also increase to about 35/38 from 33/36.

RFernando · 06-07-2019, 12:33 PM

Thanks for the input so far - yes I changed the "Tire Settings" in iDrive when my winters were taken off (changed settings to 21" summers).

So based on what I've read so far, I should go with iDrive recommended settings as opposed to the door sill sticker?

Wgosma · 06-07-2019, 01:11 PM

I think go with door sticker- I have always followed the stickers numbers in every car I own. Those iDrive numbers are I bet going to give you quite a firm ride.

Phone a Dealer "genius" or whatever they're called and inquire- or a good tire shop

skier219 · 06-08-2019, 09:04 PM

Door sticker gives cold values.

iDrive gives realtime values, taking tire heating into account. As in, if you were to fill the tires at this instant in time, use these pressures due to current tire temperature.

khaug · 06-08-2019, 10:32 PM

The figures shown on the iDrive page reached via My Vehicle/Vehicle Status/TPMS are the actual pressures in your tires, not recommendations. Recommended pressures are shown on the door post sticker or in the owner's manual.

For example, the recommended pressures for my 2018 M40i for under 100 mph are 33 psi front, 35 psi rear, as shown on the door post sticker and the owner's manual. The recommended pressures are used for cold tires.

RFernando · 06-09-2019, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khaug

The figures shown on the iDrive page reached via My Vehicle/Vehicle Status/TPMS are the actual pressures in your tires, not recommendations. Recommended pressures are shown on the door post sticker or in the owner's manual.

For example, the recommended pressures for my 2018 M40i for under 100 mph are 33 psi front, 35 psi rear, as shown on the door post sticker and the owner's manual. The recommended pressures are used for cold tires.

Sounds like I'll just go with the Sticker Values.

That being said - my iDrive also shows "Recommended" in addition to "actual" as well as seen here, and this is where there are the PSI discrepancies.

Wgosma · 06-09-2019, 08:39 PM

Here's the math:

21" wheels + Runflats + 44 psi = VERY stiff and unyielding German ride 😉...👎

skier219 · 06-11-2019, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khaug

The figures shown on the iDrive page reached via My Vehicle/Vehicle Status/TPMS are the actual pressures in your tires, not recommendations. Recommended pressures are shown on the door post sticker or in the owner's manual.

For example, the recommended pressures for my 2018 M40i for under 100 mph are 33 psi front, 35 psi rear, as shown on the door post sticker and the owner's manual. The recommended pressures are used for cold tires.

Go look again and stop confusing things. iDrive gives the recommended inflation pressures based on real time conditions and tire heating. This is what the OP was asking about, and what he should be using when trying to set tire pressure on the fly. Door sticker only pertains to a cold pressure before any driving.

Every car in the US tells you the actual pressure. That is not what we're talking about here. We are talking about inflation recommendations.

EDIT: see screenshot posted above.

mmmmm40i · 09-08-2019, 07:33 PM

US-based 2019 X3 here. I just replaced my RR RFT due to a nail. Seem to have a few variances from the screenshots and descriptions above.

1) My tire pressure screen doesn't show any 'recommended pressure' - only what the 'actual pressure' is. Could this be a US vs. ROW thing?

2) My tire setting is set to "other". I have 718M's, but there is no 21" option available; I suppose the dealer chose "other". I find it annoying that a factory wheel option does not have a factory setting in the iDrive and instead you have to select "other"?? Are other people able to find a 21" option in the tire selection?

3) The BMW TPMS displayed PSI is about 7lbs lower than the actual PSI as measured by a tire gauge. I suspect this may be due to the 'other' tire setting, but haven't found anything yet to validate this.

chicagofan00 · 09-08-2019, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmmmm40i

US-based 2019 X3 here. I just replaced my RR RFT due to a nail. Seem to have a few variances from the screenshots and descriptions above.

1) My tire pressure screen doesn't show any 'recommended pressure' - only what the 'actual pressure' is. Could this be a US vs. ROW thing?

2) My tire setting is set to "other". I have 718M's, but there is no 21" option available; I suppose the dealer chose "other". I find it annoying that a factory wheel option does not have a factory setting in the iDrive and instead you have to select "other"?? Are other people able to find a 21" option in the tire selection?

3) The BMW TPMS displayed PSI is about 7lbs lower than the actual PSI as measured by a tire gauge. I suspect this may be due to the 'other' tire setting, but haven't found anything yet to validate this.

I'm in the US and it shows recommended pressures for my tires in iDrive. It changes as the tires warm up as well. I am also able to choose the 21" wheel/tire option within iDrive.

Battin4th · 09-08-2019, 09:10 PM

Gotta select a tire size before iDrive will show recommended pressures. After selecting a tire type (summer, other, etc) there is a another option at the bottom of the screen that allows you to select tire size. At least that's how mine works. Maybe it's not available when Other is selected?? BTW - The recommended pressures for my 21" match what's on the door.

mmmmm40i · 09-09-2019, 09:15 AM

Interesting. Maybe I'm driving with an outdated version of iDrive? Car delivered in November 2018, but was taken in for service in July this year so...

FWIW, my door sticker says 33F/38R recommended for 21"

syuan92 · 11-15-2020, 08:08 PM

I took my 2020 M40i (19" all season runflats) for it's annual oil change, inspection sticker, and multipoint inspection. I also had the dealership install the latest software so that I could have HUD compatibility with Apple Maps in Carplay. After getting my car back, I got a notification saying I had low tire pressure. I checked all four tires and every tire was 2-3 psi above the pressures on the doorsill sticker. However, iDrive was recommending about 8-9 psi above the sticker. On my ActiveHybrid 3, I could reset the iDrive TPMS to remember the current pressures as normal. On the M40i, I don't see this option and the only way I can get the low tire pressure message to go away is to add the extra pressure to the tires. I would prefer the lower pressure since the ride is more harsh with the higher psi. Can anybody provide advice?

HighlandPete · 11-16-2020, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syuan92

I took my 2020 M40i (19" all season runflats) for it's annual oil change, inspection sticker, and multipoint inspection. I also had the dealership install the latest software so that I could have HUD compatibility with Apple Maps in Carplay. After getting my car back, I got a notification saying I had low tire pressure. I checked all four tires and every tire was 2-3 psi above the pressures on the doorsill sticker. However, iDrive was recommending about 8-9 psi above the sticker. On my ActiveHybrid 3, I could reset the iDrive TPMS to remember the current pressures as normal. On the M40i, I don't see this option and the only way I can get the low tire pressure message to go away is to add the extra pressure to the tires. I would prefer the lower pressure since the ride is more harsh with the higher psi. Can anybody provide advice?

Are you physically measuring when tires are cold? If warm, that may account for the increase above sticker you are seeing.

Be careful about running run-flat tires too low, as you will be riding on the sidewalls and get odd wear.

MattXYZ · 11-16-2020, 05:44 AM

I always use the TPMS indicated pressure because the tyre pressure will change according to temperature.

Go for a 10-15min drive, check tyre pressures on TPMS. Inflate/adjust to indicated values.

My pressures normally stay within 1 psi of TPMS indicated numbers.

Good tip : store the tyre pressure screen on one of the short cut buttons so that you can bring it up easily/quickly.

I check my tyre pressures while driving on almost every trip I make.

Admiral · 11-16-2020, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattXYZ

I always use the TPMS indicated pressure because the tyre pressure will change according to temperature.

Go for a 10-15min drive, check tyre pressures on TPMS. Inflate/adjust to indicated values.

My pressures normally stay within 1 psi of TPMS indicated numbers.

Good tip : store the tyre pressure screen on one of the short cut buttons so that you can bring it up easily/quickly.

I check my tyre pressures while driving on almost every trip I make.

Brilliant tip Matt, never though of doing that, I must do that as, like you I check my pressures every trip, I used to compete in Rallies so know how important tyre pressures are, Thanks

rob175 · 11-16-2020, 08:12 AM

No PSI stickers on any of my doors!....hummm. what gives? I had to refer to the manual that has a number of pressures listed depending on the tire type and size....so I went with that number. No door sticker anywhere.

383vett · 11-16-2020, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob175

No PSI stickers on any of my doors!....hummm. what gives? I had to refer to the manual that has a number of pressures listed depending on the tire type and size....so I went with that number. No door sticker anywhere.

Look on the driver's side door jamb.

VrmmVrmm · 11-17-2020, 01:01 PM

The idrive as has been stated is realtime inflation pressure...I inflate my tyres as per door pillar sticker at 32 psi all around. I only inflate at home when the vehicle has not been driven at all or it has rested for at least an hour (cold tyres). Of course and by way of checking when I'm out driving I ask the system to display current pressure...invariably it will be higher than when I inflated (as per expectation) as the tyres are by now warm and the idrive shows me the realtime pressure. Where I find this handy is not in reading the returned value but are all four of the real values the same? Another feature in idrive (X3 G01 2018) in my vehicle is that I can pick from a list of tyres and in effect tell idrive what actual tyres are on the vehicle this in turn must allow the idrive system to give the appropriate information back to the driver from the pressure system. This feature will enable different feedback for differing setups. I think I read somewhere that a request from idrive for tyre pressure would not be accurate until circa 20 mins driving had been done after a re-inflation. I'm pretty sure too as my vehicle is 2018 that the subsequent idrive software and systems have been updated so I'm only sharing my own experience...if it helps fine...if not no harm done.

06-07-2019, 09:51 AM	#1
RFernando Private 46 Rep 62 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i - Alpine White Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	Tire PSI Settings - Door Sticker or iDrive Recommended? Hello, I was wondering if you could provide some clarity on what PSI I should be running in my tires - I have the 21" wheels with run flats. The "recommended PSI" on the door sticker differs from what the recommended PSI says on the TPMS iDrive screen. Door Sticker Says FRONT: 33 psi / REAR: 38 psi iDrive TPMS Says: FRONT: 39 psi / REAR: 44 psi I got my winters swapped out and the tire shop has inflated them to the "door sticker specs" but I believe they were set to the higher "iDrive" setting when I received the vehicle from the dealer. Just wondering which numbers I should go with, or if that 5-6 psi even really matters?
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06-07-2019, 10:32 AM	#2
lo_cheng First Lieutenant 101 Rep 361 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I also thinking about the same, it is confusing. and when I saw the iDrive PSI, i was like: Wow, really? 44 PSI? __________________ 2019 X3 M40i - Phytonic Blue, Black Vernasca Leather, 21" 718M Wheels, Premium Essential
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06-07-2019, 12:17 PM	#4
MechX3M40i Lieutenant Colonel 1006 Rep 1,727 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Blue/Cognac Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: MidWest USA iTrader: (0)	I have the 20" set. After properly setting the right tire size in iDrive, there is also an option to choose if I normally drive below 100mph or above - iDrive will then recommend the most appropriate tire pressure based on tire size and speed. After a while though, iDrive will also learn my driving habit and 'tweaks' the recommended psi for my tires. In addition, it will also continuously tweak the number based on temp of tires. I follow the more 'dynamic' way iDrive recommended, but it took me a while to adjust the tire pressure perfectly to closely match iDrive recommendation. So for example, iDrive would recommend 33/36 front/rear in the morning when it's cool outside, and the tires are also at low temp (e.g. 70F). But in the afternoon commute home, iDrive will change the recommended setting to 35/38 after I drive for at least 5-10 miles, but by then, my tires will be at 100F so the pressure on the tires will also increase to about 35/38 from 33/36.
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06-07-2019, 12:33 PM	#5
RFernando Private 46 Rep 62 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i - Alpine White Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the input so far - yes I changed the "Tire Settings" in iDrive when my winters were taken off (changed settings to 21" summers). So based on what I've read so far, I should go with iDrive recommended settings as opposed to the door sill sticker?
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06-07-2019, 01:11 PM	#6
Wgosma Lieutenant Colonel 806 Rep 1,906 Posts Drives: 2012 F25 X3 28i (N52) Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Northern Nevada iTrader: (0)	I think go with door sticker- I have always followed the stickers numbers in every car I own. Those iDrive numbers are I bet going to give you quite a firm ride. Phone a Dealer "genius" or whatever they're called and inquire- or a good tire shop
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06-08-2019, 09:04 PM	#7
skier219 Captain 608 Rep 969 Posts Drives: X3 M40i, M2C, Ferrari 328 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Door sticker gives cold values. iDrive gives realtime values, taking tire heating into account. As in, if you were to fill the tires at this instant in time, use these pressures due to current tire temperature.
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06-08-2019, 10:32 PM	#8
khaug Enlisted Member 6 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW X3 340i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Tire Pressures The figures shown on the iDrive page reached via My Vehicle/Vehicle Status/TPMS are the actual pressures in your tires, not recommendations. Recommended pressures are shown on the door post sticker or in the owner's manual. For example, the recommended pressures for my 2018 M40i for under 100 mph are 33 psi front, 35 psi rear, as shown on the door post sticker and the owner's manual. The recommended pressures are used for cold tires.
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06-09-2019, 08:39 PM	#10
Wgosma Lieutenant Colonel 806 Rep 1,906 Posts Drives: 2012 F25 X3 28i (N52) Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Northern Nevada iTrader: (0)	Tire PSI Settings - Door Sticker or iDrive Recommended? Here's the math: 21" wheels + Runflats + 44 psi = VERY stiff and unyielding German ride 😉...👎
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09-08-2019, 07:33 PM	#12
mmmmm40i Private 37 Rep 60 Posts Drives: X3 m40i Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	US-based 2019 X3 here. I just replaced my RR RFT due to a nail. Seem to have a few variances from the screenshots and descriptions above. 1) My tire pressure screen doesn't show any 'recommended pressure' - only what the 'actual pressure' is. Could this be a US vs. ROW thing? 2) My tire setting is set to "other". I have 718M's, but there is no 21" option available; I suppose the dealer chose "other". I find it annoying that a factory wheel option does not have a factory setting in the iDrive and instead you have to select "other"?? Are other people able to find a 21" option in the tire selection? 3) The BMW TPMS displayed PSI is about 7lbs lower than the actual PSI as measured by a tire gauge. I suspect this may be due to the 'other' tire setting, but haven't found anything yet to validate this.
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09-08-2019, 09:10 PM	#14
Battin4th Private First Class 141 Rep 112 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Gotta select a tire size before iDrive will show recommended pressures. After selecting a tire type (summer, other, etc) there is a another option at the bottom of the screen that allows you to select tire size. At least that's how mine works. Maybe it's not available when Other is selected?? BTW - The recommended pressures for my 21" match what's on the door.
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09-09-2019, 09:15 AM	#15
mmmmm40i Private 37 Rep 60 Posts Drives: X3 m40i Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	Interesting. Maybe I'm driving with an outdated version of iDrive? Car delivered in November 2018, but was taken in for service in July this year so... FWIW, my door sticker says 33F/38R recommended for 21"
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11-15-2020, 08:08 PM	#16
syuan92 Member 26 Rep 237 Posts Drives: '20 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2013 BMW ActiveHybr ... [0.00]	I took my 2020 M40i (19" all season runflats) for it's annual oil change, inspection sticker, and multipoint inspection. I also had the dealership install the latest software so that I could have HUD compatibility with Apple Maps in Carplay. After getting my car back, I got a notification saying I had low tire pressure. I checked all four tires and every tire was 2-3 psi above the pressures on the doorsill sticker. However, iDrive was recommending about 8-9 psi above the sticker. On my ActiveHybrid 3, I could reset the iDrive TPMS to remember the current pressures as normal. On the M40i, I don't see this option and the only way I can get the low tire pressure message to go away is to add the extra pressure to the tires. I would prefer the lower pressure since the ride is more harsh with the higher psi. Can anybody provide advice?
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11-16-2020, 05:44 AM	#18
MattXYZ Private First Class 151 Rep 188 Posts Drives: X3 (G01) M40i, X5 (F15) 40d Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I always use the TPMS indicated pressure because the tyre pressure will change according to temperature. Go for a 10-15min drive, check tyre pressures on TPMS. Inflate/adjust to indicated values. My pressures normally stay within 1 psi of TPMS indicated numbers. Good tip : store the tyre pressure screen on one of the short cut buttons so that you can bring it up easily/quickly. I check my tyre pressures while driving on almost every trip I make.
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11-16-2020, 08:12 AM	#20
rob175 Major 688 Rep 1,116 Posts Drives: BMW X3 xiDrive30 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	No PSI stickers on any of my doors!....hummm. what gives? I had to refer to the manual that has a number of pressures listed depending on the tire type and size....so I went with that number. No door sticker anywhere.
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11-17-2020, 01:01 PM	#22
VrmmVrmm Private First Class 66 Rep 164 Posts Drives: BMW X3 XLine G01 Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0)	The idrive as has been stated is realtime inflation pressure...I inflate my tyres as per door pillar sticker at 32 psi all around. I only inflate at home when the vehicle has not been driven at all or it has rested for at least an hour (cold tyres). Of course and by way of checking when I'm out driving I ask the system to display current pressure...invariably it will be higher than when I inflated (as per expectation) as the tyres are by now warm and the idrive shows me the realtime pressure. Where I find this handy is not in reading the returned value but are all four of the real values the same? Another feature in idrive (X3 G01 2018) in my vehicle is that I can pick from a list of tyres and in effect tell idrive what actual tyres are on the vehicle this in turn must allow the idrive system to give the appropriate information back to the driver from the pressure system. This feature will enable different feedback for differing setups. I think I read somewhere that a request from idrive for tyre pressure would not be accurate until circa 20 mins driving had been done after a re-inflation. I'm pretty sure too as my vehicle is 2018 that the subsequent idrive software and systems have been updated so I'm only sharing my own experience...if it helps fine...if not no harm done.
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