If you own a Ford vehicle and are considering buying aftermarket wheels and tires, then you should know a little bit about the TPMS sensor.

You might also be wondering if you need to reprogram it or if it will automatically do this when changing your tires.

That’s why we have written this article, to answer the question, Do Ford TPMS sensors need to be programmed?

Table of Contents

Do Ford TPMS Sensors Need To Be Programmed?

Yes, Ford TPMS sensors do need to be programmed. The programming process is actually very easy and can be completed with the help of a scan tool.

If you don’t have one, you can take your car to an auto shop and have them do it for you. The sensors must be programmed in order for the system to work properly.

How Do You Program A New TPMS Sensor On A Ford?

The procedure for programming a new TPMS sensor on a Ford is as follows:

Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
Press and hold the SET/CLR button (located on the instrument panel) for at least 5 seconds, but no more than 15 seconds. You should hear two beeps indicating that the system has been reset. (This will not erase your tire pressure readings.)
Allow at least 10 seconds to pass before proceeding to step 4 below.
Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position (engine off). A green light will illuminate in each of the four circular buttons located on the instrument panel above each wheel well (this indicates that there is an active system fault). If no lights come on, check that all four sensors are installed correctly before proceeding further with this procedure.

How Do You Sync Ford TPMS Sensors?

The TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) is a safety feature that monitors tire pressure, and alerts you if any of your tires have low pressure.

If you’re having problems with your TPMS, it could be due to a software or hardware issue. Follow these steps to reset the system on your Ford vehicle:

Step 1: Locate the TPMS reset button (usually beneath or near the steering wheel), and hold it until the light on the dashboard blinks three times.

Release the button, start the ignition, and the light should be off. Add air to all tires (including the spare tire) to 3 PSI over the recommended amount.

Step 2: Drive at least 20 miles (30 km) after adding air to all tires before checking for leaks or low pressure again.

How Do You Program A Ford TPMS Without A Tool?

Ford TPMS systems are programmed using a special tool that is only available through Ford dealerships and Ford service depots. The tool is called the “Service Tire System Reset Tool” or STST. It must be used to read the vehicle identification number (VIN) of your vehicle, which is required to program the TPMS system.

If you have lost your STST, or if it’s been stolen, there’s no way to program your Ford TPMS without it. If you don’t have access to one, take your vehicle in for service at a Ford dealership or service depot as soon as possible.

How Do You Relearn Tire Pressure Sensors?

Car owners often ask how to relearn tire pressure sensors. The process is simple, but it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

How to relearn tire pressure sensors:

1. Make sure that the tires are cool before you begin. If they’re hot, let them sit for a few hours before you begin the process.

2. Check with your car manual or with an auto parts store to see if there are any special steps required for your vehicle. Some vehicles require that you put your car in park or neutral before beginning the relearning process; others don’t require this step.

3. Turn on the ignition and press down on both brake pedals while holding down the button that reads “Tire Pressure Monitor” on one of your dashboard buttons until it flashes a green light twice (sometimes this is called “recall”).

This will start the relearning process for each tire individually after about 20 seconds, so be patient until all four tires have been completely reset and show green lights twice apiece (or whatever number of flashes is specified in your vehicle’s owner manual).

How Much Does It Cost To Program A Tire Pressure Sensor?

Programming a tire pressure sensor to your vehicle’s computer is not expensive. The cost of programming a tire pressure sensor varies with each shop, but it usually ranges from $50-$100.

Tire pressure sensors are typically programmed right in the shop where you bought them. However, some shops will send out the sensors to be programmed and then return them to your location once they’re finished.

The cost of programming a tire pressure sensor may vary depending on what kind of vehicle you have and what type of programming tool is needed for it. Some vehicles require special software or a specific reader tool in order to program the sensor properly into your car’s computer system.

If your shop needs to use this type of equipment or software, expect an additional charge over and above what they would normally charge for the actual programming service itself.

Are TPMS Sensors Vehicle Specific?

Yes, TPMS sensors are vehicle specific. The sensor is programmed to the specific make, model, and year of your vehicle. If you purchase a used vehicle, the TPMS sensor will not work with your car unless it matches the VIN of that vehicle.

If you purchase a used car and wish to use your own set of tires, you’ll need to go through an extensive process with your local dealer in order to get them to reprogram the TPMS sensor for your car. Some dealerships may charge a fee for this service while others will do it for free.

In most cases, if you purchase tires from another brand or retailer, you’ll need to have an expert at your local dealership reprogram the TPMS sensor for those particular tires so that it will be compatible with your specific vehicle.

Can I Replace Just One TPMS Sensor?

The short answer is no.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has ruled that the TPMS system must be replaced as a whole. The agency says that if you replace one tire pressure sensor, the vehicle will not be able to detect a malfunction in any of the other sensors, and this may lead to an inaccurate tire pressure warning.

If you have only one bad sensor, you could replace it with a used sensor from another vehicle or buy a new one from your local dealership or auto parts store. But if you do not replace all four sensors at once, the TPMS light will come on again when you start your car up after replacing one tire pressure sensor — even if all four sensors are working properly.

Are Aftermarket TPMS Sensors Good?

The short answer is yes. The long answer is that they can be. The problem is that there are a lot of different types of sensors and not all of them are created equal.

The most common type of sensor used in TPMS systems is called an inductive sensor. This kind of sensor works by using an electromagnetic field to detect the presence or absence of a tire and then send a signal to the vehicle’s computer system indicating it needs air. Other types include capacitive, ultrasonic, and infrared sensors.

The problem with all these types of sensors is that they are not interchangeable. That means that if you replace the factory-installed TPMS sensor with an aftermarket one, it may not work properly.

For example, if you have four tires with inductive sensors installed by the manufacturer and one tire with an ultrasonic sensor installed by the dealer because that tire was damaged during assembly at the factory, replacing all five tires with new ones will no longer work properly because now two different kinds of sensors exist in your vehicle’s system (one inductive and one ultrasonic).