How to disable TPMS?

[Aech40]

I got a set of XL steelies to serve as winter wheels for my XLT hybrid. They didn’t come with sensors and I just put regular valve stems in them because I really do not care about sensors in the winter wheels. The warning message that the system is faulty is the most annoying thing about this truck (it beeps, it flashes). Any way to disable the system for the winter? I know its a government mandate so it’s probably a tall ask but the truck freaking out every time I drive it is pretty lame. Thanks in advance!

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[ryan2366]

if you are familiar with Forscan you can disable the TPMS menu in the IPC module.

Turn it back on when you change your tires.

 

[Aech40]

if you are familiar with Forscan you can disable the TPMS menu in the IPC module.

Turn it back on when you change your tires.

Not familiar with forscan but I will look into it. Thanks!

 

[colinl]

TPMS is a useful technology. I don't view it the same as wearing a seatbelt for safety, but I would suggest to just go get TPMS sensors installed.

It really doesn't matter if it's "only" your winter tires. You are using them the next several months, and a slow leak that TPMS would have caught will still ruin your day.

 

[Aech40]

TPMS is a useful technology. I don't view it the same as wearing a seatbelt for safety, but I would suggest to just go get TPMS sensors installed.

It really doesn't matter if it's "only" your winter tires. You are using them the next several months, and a slow leak that TPMS would have caught will still ruin your day.

There’s several reasons I didn’t go with TPMS:
Cost
Its a pain in the butt
I keep the tire gauge in the truck at all times, and I do at least give a visual check every time i drive.
For the winters, it doesn’t really matter to me. This is actually the first car I’ve owned that has them installed. Its more an annoyance than an actual useful feature , at least in my experience, IMO. I understand why someone could like it but respectfully agree to disagree!

 

[Mavericksport]

TPMS is a useful technology. I don't view it the same as wearing a seatbelt for safety, but I would suggest to just go get TPMS sensors installed.

It really doesn't matter if it's "only" your winter tires. You are using them the next several months, and a slow leak that TPMS would have caught will still ruin your day.

What did people do before TPMS sensors? There a waste in my opinion. $200 at the tire shop installed.

 

[Aech40]

What did people do before TPMS sensors? There a waste in my opinion. $200 at the tire shop installed.

For real. Its not like I was asking if I should get tpms sensors, I was asking how to circumvent them lol

 

[colinl]

What did people do before TPMS sensors? There a waste in my opinion. $200 at the tire shop installed.

This is somehow both a good question, as well as a really dumb question.

The primary reason that TPMS was invented and subsequently mandated by the US and other governments is a high number of fatal accidents where low tire pressure was noted as a significant factor in causing the crash. Ford Explorers with Firestone tires were the scapegoat for this. It happened with a lot of vehicles, but lawyers got involved and smelled the money, and they got it.

TPMS can warn a driver of a slow leak, and it can provide definite confirmation of a major puncture or blowout so you can get off the road as soon as possible.

Specific to a Maverick, TPMS is particularly useful because it can be seen in FordPass and it warns. If you get the low tire pressure warning, you can look to see if it's just slightly under (I think 28 psi causes it) or if it's nearly flat.

There is no question it's on a human to ensure that the tire pressure is good and the vehicle is safe to operate. TPMS makes that easier to do.

 

[raymaines]

There’s several reasons I didn’t go with TPMS:
Cost
Its a pain in the butt
I keep the tire gauge in the truck at all times, and I do at least give a visual check every time i drive.
For the winters, it doesn’t really matter to me. This is actually the first car I’ve owned that has them installed. Its more an annoyance than an actual useful feature , at least in my experience, IMO. I understand why someone could like it but respectfully agree to disagree!

How is the TPMS a pain? Besides in the wallet anyway. You don't have to look at it, it's just there. Totally unobtrusive.

 

[Aech40]

How is the TPMS a pain? Besides in the wallet anyway. You don't have to look at it, it's just there. Totally unobtrusive.

Until you have a sensor go bad. Every car has a different frequency, its just annoying. I had em in my civic and they leaked, and they went bad intermittently (and this was after replacing them). Its far less of a hassle to just keep a tire gauge close by. I also have a ryobi inflator that i take with me so the slow leak thing is virtually a non issue.

 

[raymaines]

Until you have a sensor go bad. Every car has a different frequency, its just annoying. I had em in my civic and they leaked, and they went bad intermittently (and this was after replacing them). Its far less of a hassle to just keep a tire gauge close by. I also have a ryobi inflator that i take with me so the slow leak thing is virtually a non issue.

You're your own man and can do whatever you wish, but I've got at least as many miles under my belt as you and I've never had a defective TPMS.

 

[Aech40]

You're your own man and can do whatever you wish, but I've got at least as many miles under my belt as you and I've never had a defective TPMS.

Yeah man, I know what I got myself into lol. Simply wondering if there was a way to turn the stupid light off.

 

[hdave]

I agree with OP - Wish there was a way to disable TPMS.

 

[realshelby]

I will give one good reason why TPMS are not the Holy Grail.

Part of my driving pre trip is looking at my tires. Not just to see if one is low ( you develop a sense for how they look when properly inflated) but to visually inspect them for a nail, tread defect developing, or any obvious defect that may be a problem sooner than later. I double check my tires about once a month with a gauge. Yes, I have TPMS in some of my vehicles, but the only thing I consider them good for is to alert to a tire going down at speed. If a catastrophic blowout....they are no help. But a slower leak they might be, although you can often feel that in how it drives.

 

[commadorebob]

Solution above. You will need Forscan.

I personally like the TPMS. I still use my Ryobi pump to ensure tire pressure is where it needs to be, but the TPMS has helped in the past to let us know when we had a screw in the tire. Given I work from home, a slow leak could happen over several days before I visually notice.

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