Winter Tires & Tire Pressure Monitoring System

[mrpostman]

I have a 2012 Focus Titanium with the 18" factory rims. 10 days ago I installed winter tires on after market 16" steel wheels. I expected the TPMS light to come on (and stay on since I don't have TPMS sensors with my winter tires) but it did not. Only yesterday, 9 days later, did the TPMS come on. Today the light did not come on. I don't understand how the system works. I thought the light would remain on all the time.

[Sponsor]

[symbology]

Not sure, but I believe this is because it uses Indirect monitoring which are sensors outside of the wheel that measure individual wheel rotations, etc.

Y'know, sciencey stuff.

[SydneyRoo]

I'm almost in the same boat as you - except I bought another set of TPMS sensors for my winter wheels.
I never did the re-calibration as you're supposed to have to do when you install a new set of sensors... but the TPMS light never came on anyway. All last winter, even. I don't know if it actually works on Canadian cars? :p

[jsr72]

Originally Posted by symbology

Not sure, but I believe this is because it uses Indirect monitoring which are sensors outside of the wheel that measure individual wheel rotations, etc.

It's a direct system, guys...

[TiStick]

Originally Posted by SydneyRoo

I'm almost in the same boat as you - except I bought another set of TPMS sensors for my winter wheels.
I never did the re-calibration as you're supposed to have to do when you install a new set of sensors... but the TPMS light never came on anyway. All last winter, even. I don't know if it actually works on Canadian cars? :p

I bought new sensors for my winter wheels. Light never came on after the swap 1500 miles ago.

[ricomtl]

Originally Posted by mrpostman

I have a 2012 Focus Titanium with the 18" factory rims. 10 days ago I installed winter tires on after market 16" steel wheels. I expected the TPMS light to come on (and stay on since I don't have TPMS sensors with my winter tires) but it did not. Only yesterday, 9 days later, did the TPMS come on. Today the light did not come on. I don't understand how the system works. I thought the light would remain on all the time.

Same here. Got my new winter tires 20 days ago, and the warning light came on only a few days ago. Now, the light went off yesterday and did not come up this morning either.

Not sure if it's temperature related or whatever.

[Zillon]

If you're parking your car anywhere near your summer tires and wheels, your car will pick up the other set, tricking your car into believing that they're still on the car.

Only after you drive a while should the car kick the TPMS light on.

[mutiger93gt]

If you have your original wheels stored near your car then your light generally wont come on if you drive short distances. I bought some 17s and never installed the TPMS. The light only comes on after driving around 15 or 16 miles of my comute to work. If I am just driving around town, then it won't come on. I have my stock steelies stored next to my car and after a night of being in the garage the light goes off.

[BLRich1]

Moved to "Wheels, Tires, Brakes & Suspension - Sponsored By Tire Rack"