Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Function

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: When directed to train or re-train any TPMS sensors, use only the sensor training procedure outlined in Refer to TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) SENSOR TRAINING - INTELLIGENT ACCESS (IA) or refer to TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) SENSOR TRAINING - INTEGRATED KEYHEAD TRANSMITTER (IKT) . Do not use the TPMS reset procedure outlined in the Owner's Literature as this procedure will not program new sensors to the module.

The TPMS system monitors the tire pressure using 4 valve stem mounted TPMS sensors to provide accurate tire pressures. Each individual sensor contains its own battery and transmits tire pressure data to the TPM module. The TPM module is a radio receiver that collects the tire pressure data and relays the information via the MS-CAN to the BCM . All of the TPMS functions are controlled by the BCM . The TPMS sensors are trained to the BCM , which records the unique identifier for each TPMS sensor. The BCM records where each TPMS sensor is located based on the training order and compares the actual tire pressure with the desired tire pressure as indicated on the VC label. If the tire pressure deviates from the desired tire pressure the BCM , using the HS-CAN , signals the IPC to illuminate the TPMS warning indicator and also displays a message on the message center. The programmed tire pressure cannot be changed.

The scan tool is a useful tool in diagnosing TPMS concerns and may be used to verify if the TPMS sensors are transmitting accurate tire pressure data by comparing the PID tire pressure data in the BCM to the actual tire pressure using a digital tire pressure gauge. Training the sensors is not necessary after a tire rotation on vehicles with the same front and rear tire pressures, but the BCM cannot recognize that the sensor identifiers have been moved to different positions, it only retains the original position the sensors were last trained to.