TPMS breakdown for dummies
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New User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 6
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TPMS breakdown for dummies
Ok guys I have a question for those that already know this. This is my first F350 with a TPMS and I have to admit its driving me crazy.
My dealer insists on topping the air pressure off every time I go in for an oil change. They explained it was a requirement of their dealership.
My question is... I like to run about 45 psi in the tires when the truck is empty. Since that appears to drop into the alarm range (which I understand must be within 10% of the posted pressures on the door pillar), what are my options?
Is the computer in the truck adjustable by the dealer to recognize a lower pressure is ok? Or is it set in the actual device mounted on the wheel? Has anyone been successful in having this changed?
About the only solution I have been given so far is to drill 4 holes in the spare wheel for the TPM sensors and just place standard fills on the wheels.
Let me know what worked for you,
Thanks
My dealer insists on topping the air pressure off every time I go in for an oil change. They explained it was a requirement of their dealership.
My question is... I like to run about 45 psi in the tires when the truck is empty. Since that appears to drop into the alarm range (which I understand must be within 10% of the posted pressures on the door pillar), what are my options?
Is the computer in the truck adjustable by the dealer to recognize a lower pressure is ok? Or is it set in the actual device mounted on the wheel? Has anyone been successful in having this changed?
About the only solution I have been given so far is to drill 4 holes in the spare wheel for the TPM sensors and just place standard fills on the wheels.
Let me know what worked for you,
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 181
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Are you running stock rubber? I can't imagine running at 45# on the street......doesn't the truck handle like crap at those pressures? I know at the beach with my 05 F150 with Nitto Trail Grapplers that I ran at 80 psi on the street I would air those down to around 40# for the sand and once back on pavement the truck was a pig.....
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Spokane, WA
The sensors need to be spinning in order to work. putting them in the spare will not avoid the idiot light on the dash.
The air pressure settings can be lowered by a dealer, but I was told 50psi is as low as the software allows, that's what all four of mine are set at. You'll need to find a dealer willing to do it for you. I run 65 front, 55 rear when empty.
P.S.
Currently driving a new GMC panel van for work, not 'top of the line' by any means, manual windows and locks, no frills, but the dash shows me the air pressure in each of the four tires. Sure would be nice if my F-350 did also.
The air pressure settings can be lowered by a dealer, but I was told 50psi is as low as the software allows, that's what all four of mine are set at. You'll need to find a dealer willing to do it for you. I run 65 front, 55 rear when empty.
P.S.
Currently driving a new GMC panel van for work, not 'top of the line' by any means, manual windows and locks, no frills, but the dash shows me the air pressure in each of the four tires. Sure would be nice if my F-350 did also.
New User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 9
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They can set the sensors to what ever they want to,the problem is finding a dealership that will do it. I have my tpms set at 40psi all the way around, so if I get a light on my dash that tells me I need to pull over and see what is going on, I run 60 in the front's and 50 in the rear and am getting even tire wear rotating every 3500 miles
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 642
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From: herriman utah
don't you just love the government and our vehicles?? for one thing 45 is too low to be running in these trucks. I think about 60#'s is about right however with my truck they are supposed to be run at 80 which is a ton of freakin air. both dealers I went to freaked out over the notion of lowering it. they told me it could not be done and they would not do it for liability reasons. to me the system should be such that if you have a tire issue it will let you know, so I would set my TPMS to 40 if I could.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
They have the ability to set it this low but most will not. Then they become liable for anything that happens down the road that can be remotely attributed to lower air pressure in the tires. I can't imagine running 45 PSI on the road, but have to admit I have never tried it.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
No need for a dealer. I know the SCT SF3 tuner has the ability to reset the TPMS threshold. You can also change the tire size and they'll be adding the fuel tank size reset soon. You don't have to apply any of the engine tunes if you don't want to.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Oklahoma City
I'm not sure if it would work or not. But has anyone tried "training" their tires to a different pressure?
It seems ridiculous to have a TPMS sensor on a truck for 1 set pressure when there are so many different wheel tire combos. I would think that the truck would illuminate the tires once a difference in trained pressures was sensed.
Just a thought...
It seems ridiculous to have a TPMS sensor on a truck for 1 set pressure when there are so many different wheel tire combos. I would think that the truck would illuminate the tires once a difference in trained pressures was sensed.
Just a thought...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 2,480
From: West Michigan
My dealer did the change, but I had to sign a liability release for them. Had them set to 60 all the way around. That way no need to retrain due to tire rotation. Ford's TPMS doesnt display which tire is low, just the idiot lamp. Dont understand that, since internally TPMS knows which tire, why they couldnt have had a display on the productivity screen showing actual pressures, and the warning.
80psi is way to hard when running empty, so much so, that the rear tires wear out to quickly.
80psi is way to hard when running empty, so much so, that the rear tires wear out to quickly.
New User
Joined: Dec 2011
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When I changed wheels and tires I had the low pressure message. I took it to the dealer and they took it in for "service". When I picked it up they told me that it was impossible to reset the threshold and I'd just have to deal with the error.... When I drove away, the message was gone, never to be seen again... go figure...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 2,480
From: West Michigan
When I changed wheels and tires I had the low pressure message. I took it to the dealer and they took it in for "service". When I picked it up they told me that it was impossible to reset the threshold and I'd just have to deal with the error.... When I drove away, the message was gone, never to be seen again... go figure...
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
If the dealer tells you it can't be done, that's bunk. The programmer that can do this at the dealership is called IDS. Try to find an independently owned repair shop who has one or tip a mechanic at the dealership to do it for you.
Here's the steps:
1. Followed path: Module Programming> Programmable Parameters> Tire Pressure Monitoring System
2. You will see some warning pop-ups that you just click "OK" and/or "YES" through.
3.Then set the pressure for front and rear. Every setting is available.
Here's the steps:
1. Followed path: Module Programming> Programmable Parameters> Tire Pressure Monitoring System
2. You will see some warning pop-ups that you just click "OK" and/or "YES" through.
3.Then set the pressure for front and rear. Every setting is available.