TPMS - Educate a new guy, PLEASE!
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 165
Likes: 3
TPMS - Educate a new guy, PLEASE!
I've got a 2012 F250 4x4. It's the very first vehicle I've ever owned with a TPMS. I got it used at 40,000 miles, and it came with dealer provided new tires that are, frankly, absolute crap in the snow. Or even on a wet lawn, for that matter. I want to pick up four used rims and get TRUE snow tires mounted and balanced on them for winter use.
What happens if I just put regular valve stems in these wheels instead of the TPMS sensors? Will it drive me crazy with warning lights and/or buzzers when I drive? Any way to just turn the TPMS off? (I drove for many years without such a system, and I wouldn't miss it.)
If I do have to put the factory sensors in these extra wheels, how hard is it to get the system to recognize and be happy with them?
Thanks for the help.
What happens if I just put regular valve stems in these wheels instead of the TPMS sensors? Will it drive me crazy with warning lights and/or buzzers when I drive? Any way to just turn the TPMS off? (I drove for many years without such a system, and I wouldn't miss it.)
If I do have to put the factory sensors in these extra wheels, how hard is it to get the system to recognize and be happy with them?
Thanks for the help.
New User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
This post is based on FoMoCo passenger cars & swapping wheels on them, thus may not apply to your truck.
Trying to do it without the TPMS light shining will be expensive: https://bit.ly/2tFZobq Use the link to confirm years that wheels are the same & TPMS is as well.
I'd simply find a salvage yard with 2 wheels & make sure the stems weren't damaged. You might even find tires/wheels that will simply bolt up. Here's where you can find 17" wheels. https://bit.ly/2SeGD97 It'd be nice if your personal info gave a city & described your vehicle, since there are 3 wheel OD potentials.
BESTUSEDTIRES.COM would be a great source for tires, used/repaired/take-offs. I've been using them for several years for a fleet with no issues. They back-up their warranty.
Finally, you're probably going to need to have a tire store or competent mechanic with the electronics perform a re-learn on the replacement TPMS. Probably wouldn't hurt to mark the tires for position when they are removed.
Trying to do it without the TPMS light shining will be expensive: https://bit.ly/2tFZobq Use the link to confirm years that wheels are the same & TPMS is as well.
I'd simply find a salvage yard with 2 wheels & make sure the stems weren't damaged. You might even find tires/wheels that will simply bolt up. Here's where you can find 17" wheels. https://bit.ly/2SeGD97 It'd be nice if your personal info gave a city & described your vehicle, since there are 3 wheel OD potentials.
BESTUSEDTIRES.COM would be a great source for tires, used/repaired/take-offs. I've been using them for several years for a fleet with no issues. They back-up their warranty.
Finally, you're probably going to need to have a tire store or competent mechanic with the electronics perform a re-learn on the replacement TPMS. Probably wouldn't hurt to mark the tires for position when they are removed.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,795
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I have a 2011 F350 with the tpms system. I have never put the tpms valves in my dedicated winter tires or any replacement tires.
only effect is that every few months, the tpms error message would pop up for a day or so. Not an issue - just press “ok” and it goes away.
only effect is that every few months, the tpms error message would pop up for a day or so. Not an issue - just press “ok” and it goes away.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 165
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Follow up question. I ended up having the snow tires mounted on my original rims. Now I'm going to pick up four rims from StockWheels.com and I'd like to put new TPMS sensors in. I can get them online from Silver State Ford Parts. Anything special I should know before I order these? No special tool needed to install the TPMS sensors? I could do it myself, or any garage could do it? Or would I need to have a Ford dealer do the installation? (Which of course means buying the sensors from them instead of Silver State.)
Sorry if these questions are really simple.Appreciate you taking the time to reply.
Sorry if these questions are really simple.Appreciate you taking the time to reply.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 234
From: Southern California
You can put the sensors in yourself. "They" say they need to be torqued to a certain spec but if you just use common sense you can tell when they are tight. Or any tire shop is usually set up for it.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2015
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Thank you, Thunderkiss1965. You know, it's funny. When I was a teenager, I worked in my uncle's garage and I learned to change tires on a Coates 1010 machine, so I know all about mounting and balancing tires. But I've never seen these TPMS sensors, so I had no idea what to expect. Thanks again for responding to what can only be described as a "There may not be any stupid questions, but there sure are a lot of inquisitive idiots!"
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,898
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From: Southern California
One thing to keep in mind is where the TPMS sensor is located, valve stem, when breaking beads and dismounting. It's easy to snap one off if you aren't consciously thinking about it. Ask how I know.
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i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
another thing you can do is put regular valve stems in all wheels. put the tpms sensor/valves in a glued and capped PVC tube, pressurize it to shut the light off, then toss the pvc container in the glove box, or under the seat.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Can the TPMS be disabled or modified via FORScan I'm wondering?
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
i have read yes, but have never tried it.
supposedly you can also change pressure of the TPMS with forscan. but again, i have never tried it. when i put the new tires on the 2014 i will attempt it because i do not run 80 lbs pressure in the cooper AT-3's.
supposedly you can also change pressure of the TPMS with forscan. but again, i have never tried it. when i put the new tires on the 2014 i will attempt it because i do not run 80 lbs pressure in the cooper AT-3's.
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