After the TREAD Act was mandated in 2007, all vehicles manufactured in the United States, beginning in 2008, must have direct or indirect TPMS systems installed. OE and Aftermarket TPMS sensor batteries typically last around ten years or around 100,000 miles on average. It is likely the top-selling vehicles of 2008 will show up in the shop with the TPMS light on, possibly requiring one or more TPMS sensors to be replaced.

If performing TPMS services, such as replacing one or more TPMS sensor ID’s or rotating tires, a TPMS relearn procedure must be performed using a basic TPMS activation tool or an advanced TPMS scan tool, depending on the vehicle’s TPMS system. A TPMS relearn, often called TPMS reset, will write the new TPMS sensor ID locations to the vehicle’s ECU, which will cure the TPMS MIL.

According to U.S. News and World Report, the top three selling vehicles in 2008 were:

• 2008 Ford F-150

• 2008 Chevy Silverado

• 2008 Toyota Camry

• 2008 Honda Accord

• 2008 Toyota Corolla

Each week, we will explore the diagnostics of the TPMS system of each vehicle, and teach you how to properly reset the system. This week, we will be going over the 2008 Ford F-Series.

Before performing a relearn procedure, it is important to make sure the TPMS sensors are installed properly, and tires are inflated to placard pressure.

Ford F-Series (2008)

Type of TPMS system:

• Direct TPMS, sensors are installed in the wheel

Type of OE sensor:

• Lear Ford Banded sensor, part 6F2Z-1A-189-A

TPMS Sensor Frequency:

• 315 MHz

Aftermarket options for TPMS sensor replacement:

• Standard OE
• Standard Qwik
• Dill
• Dynamic DVT
• NAPA OE-Design
• NAPA Qwik
• EZ-sensor®
• IntelliSens
• Mobiletron
• Myers U-Pro
• Redi Sensor
• Steelman Select
• Alligator Sens.it
• Hamaton OE-R
• Hamaton U-Pro
• Orange Universal
• PDQ

All service kits and OE-type (one-to-one) TPMS sensor options for the Ford F-Series 2008 can be found in your VT56, VT55, and VT36 TPMS Tools in “Service TPMS”.

Type of relearn procedure:

• Manual, two types, standard ignition, and push-button start

Type of TPMS tool required for TPMS reset:

• TPMS activation tool (VT15, VT31, VT36)
• or TPMS diagnostic/scan tool without OBD (VT55, VT56)

Standard ignition:

• Release parking brake
• Turn ignition OFF
• Press and release brake pedal
• Cycle ignition from OFF to RUN three times, ending in RUN
• Press and release brake pedal
• Turn ignition OFF
• Cycle ignition from OFF to RUN three times, ending in RUN
• The horn will sound once
• Use your TPMS tool to activate the left front sensor
• Single horn sounds
• Repeat for the right front, right rear and left rear sensors
• The horn will sound twice, indicating a successful relearn procedure

Push-button start:

Helpful tip: This model may require the start button to be pressed twice (without pressing the brake) to enter RUN mode (Ignition ON/Engine OFF). If this is the case, modify steps 3 and 5 as noted.

• Engage the parking brake, inflate all tires to placard pressure
• With the vehicle OFF, push and release the brake pedal
• Push the START button five times (Note: eight times if 2x-to-RUN)
• Press and release the brake pedal
• Push the START button six times (Note: nine times if 2x-to-RUN)
• A single horn chip will indicate the relearn mode is active
• Use a TPMS tool to activate the left front sensor
• A single horn will sound to indicate the sensor learning was successful
• Repeat for the right front, right rear and left rear tires
• “Training mode complete” will display as a message when the relearn is finished

Troubleshooting tip:

• If the relearn fails, try to lower the driver’s side window, as it may help to complete the process since it is a larger vehicle.
• Newer Ford F-Series can be reset via an OBD relearn procedure as a “bonus” relearn using the VT56 with OBD module, which eliminates having to perform a manual relearn procedure, which can be long and complicated. To find out whether your Ford F-Series is covered with Sync ID technology, use the VT56 to go to SERVICE, select the MAKE, MODEL and YEAR, and if “OBD RELEARN” is an option, the sensor ID’s can be transferred through the OBD port. ATEQ expects to increase the bonus OBD coverage in time for Ford.
• The Ford F-Series may require the start button to be pressed twice during the relearn (without pressing the brake) to enter into RUN mode during the relearn (Ignition ON/Engine OFF). If this is the case, modify steps the manual steps for the push-button start relearn, 3 and 5, as noted.

Ford TPMS DTC Codes