Tire psi

[steveo1960]

My local mom and pop tire shop will inflate tires to spec for free.

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[cosmo73]

Starting at 42 psi / 2.89 bar, it would seem the dealer did not lower them to the recommended level from when the car was shipped. Good of you to check, and something for everyone to check, especially if traveling after signing.

The placard in the door jam would be your starting reference. Mine is 33 psi / 2.27 bar. I'm using aftermarket rims and tires which are within 3% of factory. Setting the pressure to 33 psi cold continues to be the sweet spot, in both appearance of contact patch (see dirt) and physical wear.

By "cold" I measure in the AM, when coolest, in a covered garage. I always check the same way in the same place.

The Ford TPMS sensors as nice for a quick read in the display, but they round up. They are not very discreet. For example, 32.5 will register at 33. One-half psi, .03 bar might not seem like much, but, given the volume of the tire, it can make a difference.

Previously, I'd used a common, pen-style gauge. With the car, I upscaled to something better: the Autometer 2160.

https://www.autometer.com/performance-analog-tire-pressure-gauge.html

Using the Autometer, I confirmed how the TPMS system rounds. I also confirmed the pen-style gauge was inaccurate by as much as 2 psi / .13 bar.

Pressures are checked once a week. That seems a bit much, but if you're going to be doing any spirited driving, it gives you confidence things are set as expected.

About three times a year, I confirm and record tread wear with a tread depth gauge, a Milton, metal unit:

https://miltonindustries.com/products/tire-tread-depth-gauge

Especially early on, I wanted to know the factory alignment was OK. It was. And with the tires, I wanted to confirm they were not under or over-inflated. Another advantage: you get down and physically inspect the tires. If something is off, you should notice before things get too bad.

At the moment, I have a bit more wear on the edges than the core, something I expect with an independent suspension.

Finally, with a square setup, I also rotate the tires once a year.

I have the exact same granite countertop.

 

[Zig]

I have the exact same granite countertop.

Hah hah hah me too

 

[MCS]

I checked for a thread like this on a whim as I was driving home and seeing 39 PSI on warm tires with normal highway driving. I'm going to set them 32 PSI all four corners tomorrow morning when the air is cool and the garage has had a chance to cool off.

 

[MCS]

The Ford TPMS sensors as nice for a quick read in the display, but they round up. They are not very discreet. For example, 32.5 will register at 33. One-half psi, .03 bar might not seem like much, but, given the volume of the tire, it can make a difference.

When you calibrate them in the morning do you turn on the car or let it idle for a few mins (without driving) to allow the TPMS to update? My Ford Pass app is still reading 37 / 35 for the fronts and 36 / 36 for the rear but I've been parked for like 4 hours now LOL

 

[Skye]

When you calibrate them in the morning do you turn on the car or let it idle for a few mins (without driving) to allow the TPMS to update? My Ford Pass app is still reading 37 / 35 for the fronts and 36 / 36 for the rear but I've been parked for like 4 hours now LOL

When I check pressures, I check them manually, using an AutoMeter 2160 gauge. It's a simple, well-built, analog gauge. Some like digital gauges.

https://www.autometer.com/performance-analog-tire-pressure-gauge.html

As virtually every run involves spirited driving, I check pressures often. Once a week, before driving, in the morning. There's a lot of construction in my area. While I've been fortunate, it gives me confidence to check this way.

Occasionally I'll look at Ford's TPMS numbers, as a reference. But as they round up and down, I prefer looking at the gauge. But this also leads into the topic you're interested in: how things update.

In the last year and with the most recent Ford Pass App update, I've noticed some changes.

As a reference for those unaware, TMPS sensors in the wheels have two parts: and accelerometer and a battery. What most often happens is, as the wheel spins, the sensor is turned on, supported by the battery, the wheel and vehicle then interacting. But I've also noticed with my vehicle, the battery will power the unit and respond to the car if the car queries it while sitting.

Different vehicles have different behaviors. My DD has to be running and moving for anything to update. But it's an older model from another vendor.

In the past, the car could be sitting stone-ass cold, not driven for days. I'd open the App, down-swipe, hear the car toggle, updating. I could get current TPMS readings. And current fuel and OLM. Now? No. Nothing updates.

Car sitting, unlocked. I'm actually checking this now. Nothing is updating. My readings are what they were shortly after my last run.

Car sitting, me in the car, Accessory mode active. Yes. Information updates. And that makes sense. The car is on. Takes a few moments as the car settles into this mode.

Car running. Yes. Same as above. After a few moments, everything is updated, driving or sitting.

All the above is my experience with a 6G car and the Pass App, v5.4.0 .

Why the change in behaviors? I suspect it has to do with newer Ford models and parasitic losses on the batteries. The latest generations of vehicles have more electronics than ever. IDK how much I was dragging the battery using the app before, but Ford's stopped that. At least for now.

People are constantly on their phones and doing all kinds of stuff. Maybe Ford realized some owners had the app open and it was always updating. IDK.

I have recently confirmed Ford is still updating the app and different features. For example, we used to be able to add service records, via the app and at this site: https://www.ford.com/support/

We knew they took that feature away from the app. I've since learned they took that feature away from the main site. Initial feedback from Ford is they do intend to bring the add service record feature back. IDK when.

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What follows is a recent post of mine involving TPMS and the set points, the reference the car uses to determine if a tire is too low. Before researching, it wasn't clear to me if customers were able to change that set point. "Tire Monitor reset". What does that actually do? In my DD, I press a button, does that change the psi/bar set point? It's a topic of interest for people changing tire sizes. For most of is, it is not an issue. For some, it could be.

So...I went down the rabbit hole this morning. LOL.

A long read follows, but provides many references on this topic.

I'm left with the impression that, the actual TPMS set point is not programmable, cannot be changed, by the Owner/Operator by pressing a button or using in-dash menus. There is the possibility the set point could be changed by the Dealer or when using FORScan. The reset button or in-dash menu re-learns where the wheel is, and re-checks pressure of each wheel.

Ultimately, it goes back to the placard, vehicle wheel, tire and towing safety. The manufacturer sells a vehicle of a prescribed standard and specification. Deviating from that, or having the ability to, changes all kinds of things. The simplest and safest process, through several years and owners, is to fix the car to a standard, then list that in the door jamb.

Jamb: an upright piece or surface forming the side of an opening (as for a door, window, or fireplace)

Jam: a food made by boiling fruit and sugar to a thick consistency

***Throughout these readings, if anyone is going to reset their TPMS, there's another Ford or vehicle on the same frequency nearby, put some distance between yourself and the other vehicle. Performing these resets might train on other wheels, other vehicles. Ford recommends 1 yard/ 1 meter distance from others.***

- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 138

- The minimum standard is to alert the driver within 20 minutes when one or more tire's pressure is 25% or more below the preset reference. Different manufacturers, models or regions might have more-strict standards. For example, a high-performance or high MPG vehicle might alarm when one tire is only 15% low.

- Manufacturers are required to sell a new vehicle with tires operating at the door jamb placard reference. Aftermarket tires with different pressures are not allowed at the time of a new car sale.

Question regarding screen menus having to do with "Tire Monitor resets" and what happens when a customer reset is done.

Answer: You're right, I did see that in the Owner Manual. But when I attempted to learn what it actually does, this is what I found:

https://www.akinsford.com/blog/how-to-reset-tire-pressure-sensors-on-ford-vehicles/

"If you’ve gotten a tire rotation done lately, you may notice your TPMS display has the tire positions all out of whack. Because the sensors are located inside each tire, you may have to reset the Tire Pressure Monitoring System and help it relearn the new positions of your tire sensors. "

https://www.thedieselstop.com/threads/can-tpms-set-point-adjusted-from-factory-setting.658280/

^ A discussion of late model Fords and the inability to change the set point.

https://www.f150forum.com/f38/how-do-i-lower-pressure-setting-my-tpms-310570/

^ Going back to 2015.

https://www.f150forum.com/f2/tpms-higher-tire-pressures-534237/

^ Post #6 references a comment I made earlier: having the ability to create your own set point by pressing a button or using in-dash menus raises a safety issue.

With that, I began reading the NHTSA reference, specifically, Section G.

https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...andards-tire-pressure-monitoring-systems#h-34

"G. TPMS Reprogrammability

Under the final rule, vehicle manufacturers are permitted, but not required, to provide a TPMS reprogrammability feature. However, the final rule made clear that the agency will conduct compliance testing with the tires installed on the vehicle at the time of initial sale and will follow any manufacturer instructions in the owner's manual related to resetting the TPMS. (

See70 FR 18136, 18146 (April 8, 2005))

According to SEMA, replacement tires for a vehicle may require higher inflation pressure than the vehicle's original equipment tires, and unless the TPMS is reprogrammed to reflect this new placard pressure, those replacement tires may become more than 25 percent under-inflated by the time the TPMS low tire pressure warning telltale illuminates. SEMA argued that this situation would both defeat the purpose of the rule and also give drivers a false sense of security, although SEMA acknowledged that it does not have specific information to demonstrate how significant this problem currently is or will be in the future. SEMA recommended that the standard be amended to require TPMS reprogrammability.

We have decided to deny SEMA's request that we amend FMVSS No. 138 to require TPMS reprogrammability, because there is no evidence to demonstrate an actual problem in this area. We believe that vehicle manufacturers installing TPMSs that may require reprogramming in certain situations are well aware of this issue and will provide this feature, as necessary. Thus, in the final rule, we expressly stated that TPMSs are permitted to be reprogrammable. Once again, although we are uncertain as to the exact details of system reprogrammability, we assume that it will be fairly easy for the service industry to reprogram TPMSs to accommodate different tires and rims."

Edit,

My DD truck is older and has a full-sized spare. With this topic and my recent experimenting, I confirmed the spare has a TPMS unit. Some manufacturers have installed TPMS sensors in their spares. Others, not. If unsure, someone with a scanner can buzz the wheel out and confirm.

 

[MCS]

When I check pressures, I check them manually, using an AutoMeter 2160 gauge. It's a simple, well-built, analog gauge. Some like digital gauges.

This is how my morning coffee was spent.

Joes Racing 32307 (0-60) PSI Tire Pressure Gauge. Seemed to have decent reviews.

I opened the garage door and let some cool air in for a few minutes. The front tires seem to be at 33.0 to 33.5 so those are fine. The rears are around 33.5-34.0 so I'll check those in a little bit and drop some air out if required to get them down to same as the front.

I also have found that the car doesn't seem to update after turn off. I'm pretty sure, unless I'm that old and forgetting, that my S550 would update for a while after the car turned off but the Dark Horse seems to be like "Ok, nobody is at the wheel, shut 'r down boys" and then it goes dark until you unlock and jump in.

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