Tyre pressure monitoring (TPMS) on additional wheels?

[Five_Star]

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?

 

[Five_Star]

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.

 

[Five_Star]

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!