Stupid Ford Trick (low tire pressure alarm)

[Industrial Toys]

I was looking forward to winter, only because I thought with my winter tire/rims I could stop putting air in the tires every few days.

 

[Raspy]

I refuse to run my tires at maximum inflation all the time just to keep the TPMS from "warning" me. Fortunately, with Jeeps, you can get a small programmer and set the warning point at any pressure you want, or even zero. On the 3500 Rams, the pressure is shown on the dash, but no warning light or beep is given, so you are free to set the tires at any pressure you wish. On the 2500s, it does warn on the dash and I don't think it can be shut off in an easy way.

 

[Morning Wood]

Yes, so I have this 2014 E350 passenger van with a low tire pressure alert system on it which I just learned was federally mandated. After buying it used last year I had winter tires put on it. The next day I got in and had this low tire pressure alert so I checked and indeed one of my new tires was down so I pumped it up and the alert went off. (The tire checked out okay so it may not have seated correctly)

About a week ago the alert came on. No flats, pressures all good? I tried the standard if all else fails unplug it by temporarily removing the ground cable off of the battery. That did not do it so I went to the net' and did some research. A couple of You Tube video's described this routine which I followed and as crazy as it sounds, it worked!

You turn the ignition to the on position where the lights on the dash including the alert come on. Turn the four ways on and off three times within 10 seconds until the horn beeps once. Then go one at a time around the vehicle letting some air out of each tire until the horn beeps for each tire. Check on the light and it was out! Follow up with a pressure check and inflation on each tire to spec and I am good to go. I also learned that I could buy a tool to reset each sensor for about 23 or so bucks.

I also read where GM's system is much better but maybe that will be the next truck, lol!

Having just had a rebuilt transmission put into the truck about two weeks ago, when the alert came on I thought oh' brother, what's next?

Check the pressure in your spare tire.
My 2016 f350 did this to me and I couldn’t figure it out until I aired up my spare

 

[Industrial Toys]

What good is it if it does not alert you? I'm too busy texting and eating pizza to watch my gauges. I hate when the mushrooms fall down between the seats.

 

[oosik]

Industrial Toys - - just wait until you hit a pothole and that very last piece of pizza flips out of its box and lands face down on you nice clean seat. OR when your Chocolate Lab puppy can wait no longer back there in the back seat. Jumps over the front seat - lands right in the center of the pizza and smears all over everything. Ever tried to drive and get your dog to not eat the pizza box, also. He just quaffed off the entire pizza - which he is bound to puke up real soon........

My brand new BMW R1200 GSA motorcycle has more dash display alarms, buzzers and flashing crap that a five gallon bucket full of M&M candies.

 

[Jstpssng]

I refuse to run my tires at maximum inflation all the time just to keep the TPMS from "warning" me. Fortunately, with Jeeps, you can get a small programmer and set the warning point at any pressure you want, or even zero. On the 3500 Rams, the pressure is shown on the dash, but no warning light or beep is given, so you are free to set the tires at any pressure you wish. On the 2500s, it does warn on the dash and I don't think it can be shut off in an easy way.

That setting can be changed, to reflect your normal air pressure. As I was reading about the alloy rims it seemed like this thread goes hand in hand with the "#$%&@ new truck" thread. My Ranger has alloys and I dislike them for all of the reasons listed above; plus after 15 years of use I always wonder how well the lug nuts actually are seated, and if they have weakened the softer metal..

 

[Soundguy]

Check your owners manual, that Chinese fire drill method to reset the toms is in there. I know, crazy that its in the manual, but.. They had to, since dealers do service work.

I have a 2014 e350 as well. About half the times it went I for service and they touched the tires, they managed to forget to reset that system, meaning I either had to do it or east time taking it back.

Both my dealer and myself are glad my warranty just ran out. I've complained to the owner and ford corporate sooo many times due to that worthless dealer and their non-mechanics.

 

[oosik]

Jstpssng - - I hope your concern about the lug nuts weakening the softer metal is just you being ****. My 2006 Jeep TJ has alloy rims. What are you trying to do - - make me worry??

 

[om21braz]

Alloy wheel corrosion is a common problem here with the calcium Chloride (road salt). All you can do at that point is file or scrape the loose stuff off, thin coat with clear silicone caulking, mount the tire. Or, new wheels $$$.

Had same issue before. Used to be OEM wheels were better than that.

 

[Jstpssng]

Jstpssng - - I hope your concern about the lug nuts weakening the softer metal is just you being ****. My 2006 Jeep TJ has alloy rims. What are you trying to do - - make me worry??

I think that it's just me being ****. Also, I have 10 ply tires which is a little more than the rims may be rated for... but many years ago I got tired of buying tires every time I drive down a dirt road.