Tyre pressure monitoring (TPMS) on additional wheels?

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Hi,

Does anybody have experience with running additional set of wheels on a vehicle that has an active tyre pressure monitoring system?

I want a second set of wheels for our ST, but don't want to pay Ford for the privilege of brand new wheels and their TPMS system. I also don't want to have to keep removing and refitting the sensors as they can be quite fragile.

It seems that you can get 3rd party compatible monitors. You can allegedly have them cloned so the car thinks nothing is different? I have also heard that the alternative is a dealer job to re-code the sensor to car which I really want to avoid. (and impossible I imagine if using 3rd party sensors)

One alternative is to simply accept the dash warning (like when you have the spare on) but I think cancelling the warnings and chimes every journey will get old quick, is there any way to code this out of the ECU?

This must be a common thing for people colder countries that are required to run additional sets of winter tyres for example?
 
I tried my set of non runflat wheels on my car the other day and the incessant bonging from dash complaining about the non functioning tyre pressure system drove me up the wall.

On the BMW's there is a way to code it out of the ECU and restore the older system which simply measures the relative rotational speed of the wheels but it's quite long winded. I am not familiar with Ford coding so don't know if its possible on the Focus.

If not, then it's probably worth getting some aftermarket sensors and fitting them to your new wheels.
 
I don't know Fords, but on Audis, you can disable it with a recode or recode to a basic flat tyre warning using ABS/ESP rather than full TPMS with pressure and temp sensors.
 
I'm aware theres a system called ez sensor you can get from the same oem as the ford/bmw systems, which presumably can be coded for the car.

As for recoding, its presumably possible but then kind of defeats the point of having the system.
 
acemastr said:
Toyota have a button under the dash to re-calibrate
Click to expand...

Everyone has a button to re-calibrate but that isn't what he is asking - he wants to install a set of wheels that physically doesn't have the sensors installed.

You can press that button under the dash all you want, if the sensors are missing you'll continue to get an error :p
 
Some systems have specific fuses. Take teh fuse out you turn off that system. I doubt the TPMS is a separate system with its own fuse though.
 
One said:
Some systems have specific fuses. Take teh fuse out you turn off that system. I doubt the TPMS is a separate system with its own fuse though.
Click to expand...

if it has an external reciever then maybe, but often the systems are integrated into the ecu.

unfortunately part of the point of a sensor based tpms system compared to a traction control based system is you can't just re-set it when it goes off (to prevent you re setting then driving with flat tyres)
 
There is a reset option within the sync media system that you need to use if you add more air etc, but no disable option.
I would have thought that given they like to classify tpms as a safety system it would be harder to disable with a recode or flash. I am surprised that other manufactures make it possible.

Some Ford owners in the USA have constructed a pressure vessel with their sensors inside that they leave in the boot of the car, car sees the sensors and is OK! this is all 2012-13 stuff though so using the older type sensors.

Sadly the newer system is based in the valve stem and detects rotation as well so given that the number of people talking about this topic these days is a lot less I guess people just get additional sensors fitted.
 
On my 2010 Mondeo it disables the alerts and warning light if all the sensors are absent. It also self learns new and replacement sensors automatically within a couple of miles.

Not sure if the later cars do the same.

The cheapest way to get new sensors I found was to buy VDO replacements. They make the OE sensors for Ford so they are identical bar the Ford logo, but about half the price.
 
Thats an interesting point about the system being "smart" and de-activating if all the sensors are gone. I think I will try this first when the new wheels arrive.

I'll check VDO too, I wonder if I can get the part number somehow without having to take the tyre off the rim to look for serial numbers!
 
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