How to reset the TPMS?

[VFRcanada]

I'm about to rotate the tires on my 2023 Aviator. How do I reset the TPMS? I can't find anything in the manual about it.

 

[Black Label]

I thought those sensors were attached to the valve stems. When you rotate the tires, the whole wheel and tire is removed. Why would you need to reset it?

 

[The Chairman]

I'm about to rotate the tires on my 2023 Aviator. How do I reset the TPMS? I can't find anything in the manual about it.

It’s automatic. You shouldn’t have to do anything.

 

[VFRcanada]

It’s automatic. You shouldn’t have to do anything.

Job done.

You are correct. It took about a 4 minute drive for the system to identify which corners the tires are in now.
I wonder why the manual says to do a reset.

“Tire Rotation WARNING: If the tire label shows different tire pressures for the front and rear tires and the vehicle has a tire pressure monitoring system, then you need to update the settings for the system sensors. Always perform the system reset procedure after tire rotation. If you do not reset the system, it may not provide a low tire pressure warning when necessary.”

______________________________

 

[The Chairman]

Job done.

You are correct. It took about a 4 minute drive for the system to identify which corners the tires are in now.
I wonder why the manual says to do a reset.

“Tire Rotation WARNING: If the tire label shows different tire pressures for the front and rear tires and the vehicle has a tire pressure monitoring system, then you need to update the settings for the system sensors. Always perform the system reset procedure after tire rotation. If you do not reset the system, it may not provide a low tire pressure warning when necessary.”

If you change wheels and have new TPMS’s installed, the car has to “learn” the new ones.
Happens when I change to new rims on my other cars.
The car has the ability to remember several different sets once installed and set up. I rotate wheels on my track cars and the car recognizes them all now.

 

[Black Label]

That posted warning says the system needs to be reset if the tire pressures are different for the front and rear tires.

 

[VFRcanada]

That posted warning says the system needs to be reset if the tire pressures are different for the front and rear tires.

Yes, and mine are. 38 front, 42 rear.

 

[Black Label]

Yes, and mine are. 38 front, 42 rear.

You said in post #4 you wonder why the manual says do a reset but you posted the answer yourself. Anyway, sounds like they reset themselves.

______________________________

 

[bbf2530]

Yes, and mine are. 38 front, 42 rear.

Hi VFRcanada. When the front and tear tires/wheels/TPMS sensors have the same recommended tire pressures/PSI, they can be freely rotated without reprogramming because all four are programmed for the same pressure.

However, since your factory specified front and rear tire PSI’s are different, the TPMS sensors are programmed from the factory accordingly, and you need to have yours reset if you want them to be completely accurate after a tire rotation.

I’ll try to explain best as I can. And this is an overly simplified explanation:
The TPMS sensors for the two front tires were programmed from the factory to issue a warning if the pressures drop ~20-25% below 38psi.
On the other hand, the two for the rear tires were programmed to issue a warning if the pressures drop ~20-25% below 42psi.

Now, your fronts are on the back and vice-a-versa.

So the TPMS sensors previously on the rear are now on the front, but are programmed for 42psi. And the TPMS sensors previously on the front, are now on the rear, but are programmed for 38 psi. Not a big deal if you are old school and regularly check/inflate your tires with a tire pressure gauge.

Also, next tire rotation they will be back where they should be. Alrhough after a few rotations, you may lose track of what is where.

That’s a short explanation as to why the TPMS sensors need to be reprogrammed when front and rear tires utilize different PSI requirements.

It’s up to you whether you want to have them reprogrammed. A Lincoln/Ford dealer should normally do it automatically.

Hope it all makes sense.

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

 

[inmanlanier]

Not quite related to the topic of the post but since you mentioned tire pressures - my personal experience is that the tire placard posted rear tire pressure is quite a bit too high. With a combination (as I deduced) of the dealership NOT rotating the tires the last two oil changes and my tracking tread depth, the rear tires were quite wore to be quite a bit more worn inn the center of the tread vs. the outer edges (wasting tire life). That's a clear indication of over-inflation. Note it was only on the rears; had the tires been properly rotated and it was overinflation, all tires would wear like that.

I now put the rear tires at 1 psi less than the fronts vs. 4 psi more. I've got a lot of experience with tires over my life, in particular racing cars so this is not some uneducated recommendation.

If you're not to take my advice, at least periodically measure depth across the tread of each tire and track it. If you note a pattern of the center depth less than the inner and outer edges on all tires (with them regularly rotated), that affirms my allegation. At $275 plus per tire that's money wasted IMHO.

 

[peterk9]

Every time I take mine in for the annual winter/summer tire change, the techs always retrain the TPMS and check the pressures.

Peter

 

[inmanlanier]

I forgot last month to comment after I changed oil and rotated my tires. Yes, apparently our cars learn each TPMS sensor and track it around the car automatically when you rotate. I had forgotten to check for this with my last oil change/rotation (tires were near end of life anyway - not that critical to me). This time, however after rotating I inflated one at a time. Unlike what I remember about older cars and sensors, these can even be monitored stationary (in my garage with the ignition switch in the on position, engine not running). I remember older cars needed to be driven to excite the sensor to transmit. Last month I would inflate one corner - check - change noted real time on the dash. I moved on to the next, etc. Pretty good technology now.

______________________________