TPMS DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION – BMW 5 series (1997-2017)
BMW 5 series (1997-2017)
After the TREAD Act was mandated in 2007, all vehicles manufactured in the United States beginning in 2008, must be installed with direct or indirect TPMS systems.
The BMW 5 Series is equipped with a direct TPMS system which has TPMS sensors installed in the wheel. If one or more tires indicate low tire pressure, the TPMS sensors will transfer the information to the vehicle’s ECU. An indicator light (low-line TPMS system) or each tire pressure will show on the dash (high-line TPMS system).
A TPMS relearn is recommended for a BMW 5 Series when changing air pressure, rotating tires, and/or replacing a TPMS sensor.
There are several models within the BMW 5 series that the article will cover, including:
BMW 5 Series E39: 1997-2003
BMW 5 Series E60, E61: 2003-2011
BMW 5 Series F10, F07: 2010-2016
BMW 5 Series G30, G31: 2017-2019
BMW 5 Series GT: 2017
Type of TPMS system
Direct TPMS: TPMS sensors are installed in the wheel, tire pressure is communicated via radio frequency (RF) technology from the sensor to the vehicle’s ECU
OE and Aftermarket (Universal, Hybrid, Programmable, Configurable, One-to-One, OE-style) options for TPMS sensor replacement
All OE, programmable, configurable, hybrid and OE-type (one-to-one) TPMS sensor options and service kits can be found in the VT56, VT46 brands, and VT36 TPMS Tools.
Type of TPMS frequency
315MHz, 433MHz – depending on the model and/or year. See troubleshooting tips at the bottom of the article.
Type of TPMS tool required to relearn the system
TPMS activation tool (VT31, VT6, VT46 brand, VT56) for the manual relearn (E-39, E60, E61, F10, F07, G30, G31, GT)
TPMS scan tool (VT46 brand, VT56) for the OBDII relearn bonus coverage (E-39, E60, E61, F10, F07, GT)
Type of Relearn procedures
Manual (stationary) and/or OBD relearn procedure, depending on the model
Bonus OBD relearn procedure – BMW 5 Series available for E39 (1997-2003); E60, E61 (2003-2011); F10, F07 (2010-2016); GT (2017)
Adjust tire pressures to placard value
Hold TPMS tool to tire sidewall, activate Left Front, Right Front, Right Rear and Left Rear sensors
Apply OBD module to tool
Turn ignition ON
Apply OBD module to DLC
Press OK to transfer ID’s to ECU
Disconnect ONBD module from DLC
Turn ignition OFF, then start engine
Drive for at least 5 minutes at 28 mph
The video below shows an OBD relearn on a Toyota vehicle, but the OBD procedure is the same for BMW’s. It is recommended to drive the vehicle for 5 minutes after the relearn or activate the TPMS sensors to complete the procedure.
Manual relearn procedure – BMW 5 Series E39 (1997-2003)
Adjust tire pressures to placard value
Turn ignition ON
Press RESET until MIL light turns yellow and begins flashing
Drive up to 5 minutes
Manual relearn procedure – BMW 5 Series E60, E61 (2003-2011) with iDrive System
Adjust tire pressures to placard value
Turn ignition ON
Open i-menu to select SETTINGS
Select VEHICLE
Select TPMS
Select RESET
Drive vehicle up to 5 minutes
Manual relearn procedure – BMW 5 Series E60, E61 (2003-2011) without iDrive System
Adjust tire pressures to placard value
Turn ignition ON
Hold TIRE PRESSURE WARNING until TPMS MIL is ON
Drive vehicle up to 5 minutes
Manual relearn procedure – BMW 5 Series F10, F07 (2010-2016); G30, G31 (2017-2019); GT (2017) with iDrive System
Adjust tire pressures to placard value
Turn ignition ON
Use iDrive menu to select SETTINGS
Select CAR/TIRES
Select CONFIRM TIRE PRESSURE
Drive vehicle up to 5 minutes
Manual relearn procedure – BMW 5 Series F10, F07 (2010-2016); G30, G31 (2017-2019); GT (2017) without iDrive System
Adjust tire pressures to placard value
Turn ignition ON
Use turn signal lever tip UP or DOWN until TPMS/RESET displayed
Hold button at the tip of the turn signal level until check mark appears
Drive for up to 5 minutes
Troubleshooting tips
How to easily find the Model and Year for a BMW 5 series
BMW vehicles have many model types, and can be difficult to determine the correct model by visually looking at the vehicle, and it can take even more time to find the year by looking at the 10th digit on the VIN. To save time, the VIN scan option on the VT56 will determine the correct Make, Model and Year in seconds when checking sensors or servicing TPMS.
Go to CHECK TPM or SERVICE
Select VIN scan, select OK
Use the green trigger button to scan the vehicle’s VIN barcode, located on the door jamb
OBD vs manual relearn procedures
Some BMW 5 series models have bonus OBD relearn coverage to skip the manual relearn steps required to reset TPMS on the VT56 or VT46 brands. The OBD relearn procedure is the same for all vehicles with the ability to reset the vehicle through the DLC, which means there is less room for error, and it is easy to remember one relearn for all vehicles. The OBD relearn steps will save you time by resetting the vehicle in just three easy steps:
Turn the ignition to ON and activate each TPMS sensor
Plug the OBDII module to the tool, then plug to the DLC
Use the tool to transfer the TPMS sensor ID’s to the ECU
You may be required to activate the sensors or you may be required to drive the vehicle for 5 minutes after resetting with the OBD module.
BMW TPMS reset failure, iDrive System
If the manual relearn fails for the BMW 5 Series with an iDrive system, try the following troubleshooting steps.
Park and turn the ignition OFF for 15-20 minutes. Then turn the vehicle on, and drive the vehicle for 5 minutes at a speed lower than 50 mph (80 kph).
If it is an option for the specific 5 Series model, perform an OBD relearn in place of the manual relearn.
The BMW iDrive system requires the user to “confirm” tire pressure prior to driving the vehicle; driving at higher speeds can create a system failure. Therefore, the above troubleshooting steps are recommended to correct the failure, if it occurs during the manual relearn process with the iDrive system.
BMW 5 Series – which frequency sensor is your vehicle manufactured with?
Please use the “CHECK TPM” or “CHECK SENSOR” feature on your TPMS tool to determine which frequency the BMW 5 series has before replacing a sensor or programming an aftermarket sensor to be sure the frequency matches.
The BMW 5 Series E-39 is manufactured with a 315 MHz TPMS sensor frequency from 1997-mid 2002. In mid 2002-2003, the BMW 5 series is manufactured with a 433 MHz TPMS sensor.
The BMW 5 Series E60 and E61 is manufactured with 433 MHz TPMS sensor frequency for years 2003-2011.
The BMW 5 Series F10 and F07 is manufactured with 433 MHz TPMS sensor frequency for years 2010-2016.
The BMW 5 Series G30 and G31 is manufactured with 433 MHz TPMS sensor frequency for years 2017-2019.
The BMW 5 Series GT is manufactured with 433 MHz TPMS sensor frequency for the year 2017.
TPMS DTC code information
Use the VT56 to retrieve and clear BMW TPMS DTC codes by selecting the “Service” icon. After selecting the Make, Model, and Year, select the DTC code icon. Use the OBDII module to retrieve the BMW DTC TPMS information to diagnose and service the TPMS issues determined.
