Need Schooling on TPM System

[enjr44]

2008 4X4 Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

I googled this and I got all sorts of information and most of it was conflicting. So I would like to know how this system works on a Ranger.

I am guessing it is a band type system?
Does it monitor the spare?
If you rotate the tires do you have to reset the system?
What range of tire pressures can I use and not tick it off?
And if I do tick it off, will it reset itself if I put the pressure back where it was (or is supposed to be)?

And I guess aftermarket wheels are off the table if I want the system to work? Or how do you get it to work if you change wheels for winter?

This new to me and I would like to understand its operation.

Thanks, Ed

 

[holyford86]

it depends on year whether its a band type system or not, if you want to do aftermarket wheels you will need to purchase 4 new sensors and sync them. Re syncing the sensors is recommended after a rotation, and the spare usually doesn't have have a sensor. You can get the range of the sensors tweaked at the dealer if you want to run different pressures.

 

[adsm08]

Holy is mostly right.

The sensors are wireless, your year will be mounted on bands inside the tire, the sensor should be 180* from the valve stem. The spare will not have one, no Ford ever had one on the spare.

Aftermarket rims certainly are on the table, you just need to get the correct size bands for your wheels. The band style ones are actually the easiest to use with aftermarket rims. Don't use zip ties, I saw that once, it worked not at all. The sensors kept sliding around the wheel throwing off the balance. That was on an LA West converted Fusion, took us months to figure it out.

Reset is recommended by Ford after having the tires rotated, but since the Fords don't tell you which tire is low like GM or MOPAR, I really don't see the point. It won't change the alert you get, and it's faster and easier to just check all 4 tires to see which is low than get a scanner out and ask the computer.

The tires should be set to the number on the door, probably 35 PSI for your truck. 5 PSI low will turn on the light, going high will not. After resetting pressures from being low the light should reset itself after driving at 20 MPH or faster for two minutes, if the pressures are correct To my knowledge the pressure range cannot be altered by the dealership. TPMS is sold as a safety system, like seatbelts and airbags, we aren't allowed to change operating parameters on safety systems.

You can have a set of winter wheels, but it would need a second set of sensors, which would have to be trained each time you switch wheels. This little guy is the reset tool:
http://www.amazon.com/Motorcraft-TPMS19-Remote-Pressure-Sensor/dp/B001FKSNUI/?tag=959media-20

Cycle key off to on 3 times, hit brake once, cycle key 3 more times, horn honks, point tool at sensor and hit button, horn will honk as each sensor ID is learned.

One last thing that nobody seems to be able to understand: The light on steady from start up means one or more low tires. If the light flashes for the first 30 seconds there is a bad sensor.

 

[enjr44]

Thanks, Adsm08

One last question. How long do the batteries in the sensors last? Or are there any batteries (or are they like the chip in the key)?

 

[RonD]

There are batteries, 5 to 7 years is the expected life.
I think they started using these in or around 2007, so................
Battery's are molded into the sensors so are not replaceable, you must get new sensors.

In my opinion, well I wouldn't have this system, lol, but........if you are close to or over the 5 year mark and are changing wheels or even tires I would replace all 4 sensors at that time

 

[adsm08]

I wouldn't have this system,

^This^. When I go do the tires on my wife's Explorer this fall I am going to look into deleting the TPMS from the software because it was an option that year.