TPMS Question
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Tuned
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 316
Likes: 16
From: Richmond, VA
TPMS Question
I'm looking to pick up an '08 Screw this upcoming weekend and noticed it has a tpms light on. From what I've gathered, Ford uses the in-wheel annoying as hell to work on sensors. I've only ever had ABS/wheel speed sensor style TPMS, so this is new to me. Is it as simple as I need to calibrate the sensors? Does it flash if its malfunctioning and stay solid when its low or is it always solid and best ****in' luck to you to figure out why its on? I don't have a owners manual to look at, and before I catch a lecture from the choir I'm just looking for someone more knowledgeable to share what they know. If you don't know, save your typing out how I should use google and go bother someone who cares.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,865
Likes: 497
On my '07, the TPMS sensor is attached to the wheel. Steel bands. There were kits available for $50 or so, way back when, for cutting the OEM steel band, and reinstalling the sensor onto new wheels.
I've rotated my tires, and the dash light did not activate. Which tells me that as long as there is a sensor there, sending back a signal, the sensors are not wheel location specific.
1st thing that I would do is put air in the tires. You would be surprised at how many people have low air in the tires.
Next, ask if those are the factory wheels. 10 year old truck might be using a wheel that he traded someone for or picked up in a junk yard. Really popular for guys to not like the stock wheels with the hubcap, and decide to upgrade to some mag wheels. Then it might be completely missing sensors and that's why the light is on.
You can try to relearn the sensors. For whatever reason, the truck's computer is not reading the sensors correctly, and the "relearn" process is in the owners manual.
I've rotated my tires, and the dash light did not activate. Which tells me that as long as there is a sensor there, sending back a signal, the sensors are not wheel location specific.
1st thing that I would do is put air in the tires. You would be surprised at how many people have low air in the tires.
Next, ask if those are the factory wheels. 10 year old truck might be using a wheel that he traded someone for or picked up in a junk yard. Really popular for guys to not like the stock wheels with the hubcap, and decide to upgrade to some mag wheels. Then it might be completely missing sensors and that's why the light is on.
You can try to relearn the sensors. For whatever reason, the truck's computer is not reading the sensors correctly, and the "relearn" process is in the owners manual.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 193
I also use indicators for pressure on valve stems
I use the 36 psi indicators to give me an idea as to which tire is acting up . Same tire all the time means you need to soap it and inspect it . Twice it has indicated a real problem with tires so no complaints.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 512
Likes: 26
The Remedy
The TPMS is the remedy to people wasting gas by driving underinflated tires. That's the sole purpose for them. If Americans weren't so lazy they would check their tires once in a while and the government wouldn't have mandated them.
The TPMS has a small battery in it and it sends a signal if the pressure moves out of a preset range. What upsets me is on a really cold morning, I know my '08 will be giving me tire pressure warnings. The warning light should come on and stay on until the pressure is returned to the preset range.
R.
The TPMS has a small battery in it and it sends a signal if the pressure moves out of a preset range. What upsets me is on a really cold morning, I know my '08 will be giving me tire pressure warnings. The warning light should come on and stay on until the pressure is returned to the preset range.
R.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 193
I believe it was to prevent tire related crashes
Very common to get a slow leak that could flip you on the highway . Too many nails /screws all over the roads . Life is busy alarms help . I do run valve stem colored indiactors that show red when it drops too far below 36. Then wife knows which one to air up.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,865
Likes: 497
The Firestone recall in the late 1990s (which was linked to more than 100 deaths from rollovers following tire tread-separation), pushed the United States Congress to legislate the TREAD Act. The Act mandated the use of a suitable TPMS technology in all light motor vehicles (under 10,000 pounds), to help alert drivers of under-inflation events.
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