Titanium Handling Package - Winter Tires

[clickman]

The Tire Rack site says I'll have to go thru a procedure to have the car recognize the new TPMS sensors if I buy a totally separate set of tires and wheels (and sensors) for the winter.

They also offer an OEM Ford TPMS triggering tool for sale (add the cost of the sensors and the tool and the price is well into "WTF!" territory).

I can't find anything in my manual about how to get the car to recognize the new sensors. Anyone have an idea of how to do that, short of going to Ford ($, assuming they will even do it) or buying the Tire Rack tool ($)?

[StockTalon]

225/55/16 in any snow tire. For the rest, there are a few people in your area who can help you get the job done.

Talk to svtf1417 on here, he works at a tire shop in the Canton area.

[TiStick]

I bought a set of takeoff 17's from a forum member. I bought a set of TPMS sensors from Steve at Tousley. I had some 3 season(@8k miles total) Blizzaks in 17" from my old Subaru.

Now winter is just a 1/2hour wheel swap away...

[DEREKC]

The Tire Pressure Sensors are not required. Save some money!

[hound]

so running without the sensors is no problem?will they just beep and buz at start up and thats it or keep beeping and buzzing while you drive?

[Phokus]

I got tired of the light on my 2009 Focus so I just bought the damn valve stem ones with my winter package from Tirerack. ~$40 each not terribly bad. I can hang on to them for other uses.
I have a 2013 Titanium with handling package and I ended up going with 195/65/15 with steelies and had them all mounted and balanced shipped to me

[Geezer]

Originally Posted by hound

so running without the sensors is no problem?will they just beep and buz at start up and thats it or keep beeping and buzzing while you drive?

The only thing you should have while driving without sensors is the warning light on the dash. Most people learn to ignore it, some others place a small piece of black electrical tape over it. Not too long ago, an FF member reported some drivability issues (car went into limp mode) when he did it, but it was unclear whether it was a TPMS issue or not.

[Geezer]

(deleted double post)

[DEREKC]

I drove for the entire winter last year without the sensors on the winter tires, and the sensor light rarely came on.

[Cedes]

Bard - hope by now you took the advice to buy a second set of wheels and not remount tires. I'm heading into my first winter with the Focus Titanium with handling package - I live in northern suburb of Chicago.

I ordered Michelin X-Ice Xi3 in 215/55R16 XL, added the TPMS sensors and bit the bullet and bought the reset tool (got a call from Tire Rack describing the problem they gave me the option of having dealer reset the TPMS senors or get the reset tool - figured the tool was worth buying since you have to do this reset every time you swap the tires).

I agree with you on the look of those 18 inch wheels, they are super hot, and really make the Focus look different and good. I'm there with you 100%. I also love that 40 ratio tire look. Very darn cool.

What changed my mind was looking at wheels and tire sizes. I happen to have a 1999 Mercedes E320 that requires snow tires. Turns out the wheel and tire size is exactly the same as for the Ford - 215/55R16. Given that my Blizzaks are almost 13 years old, I just bought 8 new Michelin's. When the Mercedes gives up the ghost, I can always use those tires on the Ford.

Sorry - long way around to say this - that tire / wheel size actually looks pretty darn nice. Not as cool as the 18's, but boy it is super close. 15's look terrible - way too much tire compared to the 18's.

The other great thing - there are so many different 16 inch wheel designs. Take a look at the Ford website - pull up that 18 inch wheel design, and compare to what is available. There are some wheels that are darn close at Tire Rack. There are also some really similar wheels to the SE alloy wheels.

We decided to change things up a bit for the winter and went with a black wheel and milled silver face on it. I think this is going to hide dirt a lot better. Still have a lot of open wheel look. My Focus is the dark gray, so that black will probably look good. I'm looking forward to mounting these on the car.

Good luck with your choice on the winter tires.