Ford F-250 Super Duty low tire pressure warning light causes, how to reset

Ford F-250 Super Duty is equipped with Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) for the purpose of warning the driver when one or more of the tires are significantly under-inflated, creating a potentially unsafe driving condition. In this article we discuss the reasons for the amber colored TPMS warning light in F-250, and how you can reset it.

Ford F-250 Super Duty
Ford F-250 Super Duty – (Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock)

The TPMS warning light illuminates in Ford F-250 Super Duty when air pressure is low in one or more of the tires, battery has depleted in a pressure sensor, TPMS receiver module has malfunctioned, or a pressure sensor has been damaged.


Low tire pressure

When the amber colored TPMS warning light turns on in your F-250, stop your vehicle when it is safe to do so and check tire pressure on all the wheels, including the spare wheel (if your vehicle has one). Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.

Reinflate the tires

Reinflate all the tires of your F-250 to the manufacturer specified air pressure, which is mentioned on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label usually located on the B-pillar or the edge of the driver door.

Resetting the TPMS warning light

After you have inflated all the tires to the correct air pressure, the TPMS warning light will turn off automatically. Ford F-250 Super Duty uses the direct method for monitoring tire pressure, which means a pressure sensor actively records the internal pressure and air temperature of the tire on each wheel. There is no need to reinitialize the TPMS system in order to reset the warning light. There is no reset button like the one you see in vehicles with indirect TPMS system which uses ABS sensors to detect low tire pressure.

TPMS reset after tire rotation: You will need to relearn the TPMS system in your F-250 after rotating tires. See the user guide below for the reset procedure.

If the low tire pressure light does not turn off automatically after reinflating the tires in your F-250, increase the tire pressure by 5 psi on top of the factory recommended value, and drive your vehicle for at least 10 miles (16 km). After the TPMS warning light turns off, and the vehicle has been parked for a few hours, reduce the tire pressure to the factory recommended value.

Chilly weather can turn on low tire pressure light in F-250

Cold weather is one of the most common cause for low tire pressure warning light in Ford F-250 Super Duty. When analyzing WheelsJoint’s statistical data, it has been observed that there is sharp rise in the number of searches for TPMS warning light causes at the start of every winter season, about three times higher as compared to mid summer season.

The air, like most other substances, expands when heated and contracts when cooled. So when the weather gets colder, the tire pressure decreases, which could trigger TPMS warning light in F-250. The tire pressure will vary with temperature by about 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F (6.5°C).

Tire pressure vs temperature: This chart shows how tire pressure of 35 psi at temperature of 35°C (95°F) decreases by roughly 1.6 psi with every 10°C (18°F) drop in temperature.

Inflate tires when cold

Tire pressure in F-250 should always be set based on cold inflation tire pressure. This is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been driven for at least three hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) after a three-hour period.


Do not adjust tire pressure when hot

The tires on your F-250 can get around 50 degrees hotter than the outside temperature when you’re driving, which increases the tire pressure by about 4 psi – this is normal and there should be no adjustment for this increased pressure.

Does altitude affect tire pressure?

Yes, altitude can change tire pressure values, but it is negligible and not a cause for concern. If you drive your F-250 from sea level to Mount Evans Scenic Byway in Colorado which is the highest paved road in North America at the altitude of 14,130 feet (4,307 m), the tire pressure should theoretically increase by approximately 6 psi. But, the decrease in ambient temperature at higher elevation contracts the air in tires and compensates for any altitude pressure changes.

Is it safe to drive F-250 with low tire pressure?

The driving characteristics of F-250 change even if the air pressure is 5 psi less than manufacturer’s recommended value: the braking distance can be longer, cornering worse, and at particularly high speeds there is even a risk that the tire will burst. Low tire pressure also increases tire wear, and the higher rolling resistance of the tire means higher fuel consumption. So it is recommended to reinflate the tires to the correct pressure as soon as possible.

Dead battery in a tire pressure sensor

Each tire pressure sensor in F-250 is powered by a built-in lithium-ion battery. When the battery is depleted, the sensor stops transmitting tire pressure information to the receiver module. When this happens, the TPMS warning light will flash every time the engine is started, and will remain illuminated until you turn off the vehicle.

How long do the pressure sensor batteries last?

The tire pressure sensor batteries usually last anywhere from 5 to 10 years in F-250. When the battery is depleted, you must replace the sensor itself, as the battery is sealed into the sensor unit and is non-replaceable.

Identifying a faulty pressure sensor

The most reliable method for detecting a faulty tire pressure sensor or a sensor with dead battery is by testing each sensor with a scan tool. For example, MaxiTPMS TS408 is commonly used for diagnosing and programming tire pressure sensors. A sensor that is not detectable by the scanner is most likely defective and should be replaced with a new one.

Scan each wheel with a scan tool like MaxiTPMS TS408 and see which one does not respond.

If you don’t want to spend over a hundred bucks on a scanner, then head over to any reputable tire shop and perform a TPMS diagnostic scan of your F-250. Some shops like Discount Tire and Pep Boys offer free of charge TPMS diagnostic services.

Installed new tires?

If a pressure sensor stopped responding after you installed new tires on your F-250, it is possible the sensor got damaged during tire installation. These sensors are quite sensitive, and can be easily damaged if utmost care is not taken while changing tires.


Ford F-250 Super Duty TPMS user guide

Check each tire, including the spare, if provided, monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.

As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.

Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.

Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale flashes for approximately one minute and then remains continuously illuminated. This sequence continues upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.

When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.

Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System Reset Procedure

You need to perform the tire pressure monitoring system reset procedure after each tire rotation.

To provide the vehicle’s load carrying capability, some vehicles require different recommended tire pressures in the front tires as compared to the rear tires. The tire pressure monitoring system equipped on these vehicles is designed to illuminate the low tire pressure warning light at two different pressures; one for the front tires and one for the rear tires.

Since tires need to be rotated to provide consistent performance and maximum tire life, the tire pressure monitoring system needs to know when the tires are rotated to determine which set of tires are on the front and which are on the rear. With this information, the system can detect and properly warn of low tire pressures.

Note: To reduce the chances of interference from another vehicle, perform the system reset procedure at least 3 ft (1 m) away from another Ford Motor Company vehicle undergoing the system reset procedure at the same time.

Note: Do not wait more than two minutes between resetting each tire sensor or the system can time-out and you have to repeat the entire procedure on all four wheels.

Note: A double horn sounds indicating the need to repeat the procedure.

Read the entire procedure before attempting.

  1. Drive the vehicle above 20 mph (32 km/h) for at least two minutes, then park in a safe location where you can easily get to all four tires and have access to an air pump.
  2. Place the ignition in the off position and keep the key in the ignition.
  3. Cycle the ignition to the on position with the engine off.
  4. Turn the hazard flashers on then off three times. You must accomplish this within 10 seconds. If you successfully enter the reset mode, the horn sounds once, the system indicator flashes and a message shows in the information display. If this does not occur, please try again starting at step 2. If after repeated attempts to enter the reset mode, the horn does not sound, the system indicator does not flash and no message shows in the information display, seek service from your authorized dealer.
  5. Train the tire pressure monitoring system sensors in the tires using the following system reset sequence starting with the left front tire in the following clockwise order: Left front – driver side front tire, Right front – passenger side front tire, Right rear – passenger side rear tire, Left rear – driver side rear tire.
  6. Remove the valve cap from the valve stem on the left front tire. Decrease the air pressure until the horn sounds.
    Note: The single horn tone confirms that the sensor identification code has been learned by the module for this position. If a double horn is heard, the reset procedure was unsuccessful, and you must repeat it.
  7. Remove the valve cap from the valve stem on the right front tire. Decrease the air pressure until the horn sounds.
  8. Remove the valve cap from the valve stem on the right rear tire. Decrease the air pressure until the horn sounds.
  9. Remove the valve cap from the valve stem on the left rear tire. Decrease the air pressure until the horn sounds. Training is complete after the horn sounds for the last tire trained, driver side rear tire, the system indicator stops flashing, and a message shows in the information display.
  10. Turn the ignition off. If two short horn beeps are heard, the reset procedure was unsuccessful and you must repeat it. If after repeating the procedure and two short beeps are heard when the ignition is turned to off, seek assistance from your authorized dealer.
  11. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure as indicated on the Safety Compliance Certification Label, affixed to either the door hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the door edge that meets the door-latch post, next to the driver seating position or Tire Label located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver door.

Video: Ford F-250 TPMS relearn procedure

Watch this video to see how to retrain TPMS sensors in Ford F-250.

Changing Tires with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Each road tire is equipped with a tire pressure sensor located inside the wheel and tire assembly cavity. The pressure sensor is attached to the valve stem. The pressure sensor is covered by the tire and is not visible unless the tire is removed. Take care when changing the tire to avoid damaging the sensor.

You should always have your tires serviced by an authorized dealer.

Periodically check the tire pressure, at least monthly, using an accurate tire gauge.

Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System

The tire pressure monitoring system measures pressure in your road tires and sends the tire pressure readings to your vehicle. The low tire pressure warning light turns on if the tire pressure is significantly low. Once the light is illuminated, one or more of your tires are under-inflated and needs to be inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure. Even if the light turns on and a short time later turns off, your tire pressure still needs to be checked.

When Your Temporary Spare Tire is Installed

When you need to replace one of your road tires with the temporary spare, the system continues to identify an issue to remind you to repair the damaged road wheel and tire assembly and put it back on your vehicle.

To restore the full function of the tire pressure monitoring system, have the damaged road wheel and tire assembly repaired and remounted on your vehicle.

When You Believe Your System is Not Operating Properly

The main function of the tire pressure monitoring system is to warn you when your tires need air. It can also warn you in the event the system is no longer capable of functioning as intended. See the following chart for information concerning your tire pressure monitoring system:

Solid warning light: Tire under inflated. Make sure tires are at the proper pressure. See Inflating Your Tires in this chapter. After inflating your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure as shown on the Tire Label, located on the edge of driver door or the B-Pillar, you must drive your vehicle for at least two minutes over 20 mph (32 km/h) before the light turns off.

Solid warning light: Spare tire in use. Repair the damaged road wheel and tire assembly and reinstall it on the vehicle to restore system function.

Solid warning light: Tire pressure monitoring system malfunction. If the tires are properly inflated and the spare tire is not in use but the light remains on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

Solid warning light: Tire rotation without sensor training. On vehicles with different front and rear tire pressures, the system must be retrained following every tire rotation.

Flashing warning Spare tire in use light: Spare tire in use. If the tires are properly inflated and the spare tire is not in use but the light remains on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

Flashing warning Spare tire in use light: Tire pressure monitoring system malfunction. Repair the damaged road wheel and tire assembly and reinstall it on the vehicle to restore system function.

When Inflating Your Tires

When putting air into your tires, such as at a gas station or in your garage, the tire pressure monitoring system may not respond immediately to the air added to your tires.

It may take up to two minutes of driving over 20 mph (32 km/h) for the light to turn off after you have filled your tires to the recommended inflation pressure.

How Temperature Affects Your Tire Pressure

The tire pressure monitoring system monitors tire pressure in each pneumatic tire. When driving in a normal manner, a typical passenger tire inflation pressure may increase about 2–4 psi (14–28 kPa) from a cold start situation. If the vehicle is stationary overnight with the outside temperature significantly lower than the daytime temperature, the tire pressure may decrease about 3 psi (21 kPa) for a drop of 30°F (17°C) in ambient temperature. This lower pressure value may be detected by the tire pressure monitoring system as being significantly lower than the recommended inflation pressure and activate the system warning light for low tire pressure.

If the low tire pressure warning light is on, visually check each tire to verify that no tire is flat. If one or more tires are flat, repair as necessary. Check the air pressure in the road tires. If any tire is under-inflated, carefully drive the vehicle to the nearest location where air can be added to the tires. Inflate all the tires to the recommended inflation pressure.

Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System (If Equipped)

Additional equipment may be required for your vehicle to support trailer tire pressure monitoring.

The trailer tire pressure monitoring system is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance. It is your responsibility to maintain correct tire pressures at all times.

If a trailer tire is repaired, replaced or broken down for service, the screw and valve on the trailer tire pressure sensor should be replaced. See your authorized dealer for details.

The trailer tire pressure monitoring system is an added safety feature that allows you to view your trailer tire pressures through the information display. Tire pressure sensors are mounted into each tire on your trailer. The sensors send a message to your vehicle indicating the current trailer tire pressure.

If the trailer tire pressure monitoring system detects that a tire is low, a warning message appears in the information display. The trailer tire pressure status screen in the information display highlights the tire with a low pressure.

The main function of the trailer tire pressure monitoring system is to warn you when your trailer tires need air. It can also warn you in the event the system is no longer capable of functioning as intended.

When a Temporary Spare or New Tire is Installed on Trailer

If you have replaced a trailer tire with a new or spare tire, a warning message appears and pressure readings are no longer displayed for that tire.

To restore the full function of the trailer tire pressure monitoring system:

  • Have the damaged wheel and tire assembly repaired and remounted to your trailer.
  • Install the trailer tire pressure monitoring sensor into the new wheel and tire assembly.
  • Perform the trailer tire pressure monitoring system reset procedure.

Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System Reset Procedure

You need to perform the tire pressure monitoring system reset procedure after each tire rotation, or when a new trailer tire pressure sensor is installed into a trailer tire.

The trailer tire pressure monitoring system can be reset through the menu in the information display. Performing the trailer setup process also resets the trailer tire pressure monitoring system.

Reset the entire system

If the low tire pressure warning light won’t turn off due to a glitch in the tire pressure monitoring system, it may be possible to reset the TPMS system by resetting all on-board computers in your F-250. This method should only be considered as a last resort, when all else fails.

Disconnect both negative and positive terminals of the battery.

You can reboot all the on-board computers by disconnecting the main 12 volt battery for a few minutes. Remove the cable from the negative terminal of the battery first, then from the positive terminal. With the battery disconnected, press the horn button a few times and turn on the headlights to drain out all the residual electricity from the system. After about 15 minutes, reconnect the battery in reverse order: positive cable first, then negative cable.

Tire pressure keeps getting low

If the TPMS warning light turns on frequently in your F-250, and the tire pressure is also decreasing after you have reinflated the tires, there may be an air leak. One or more of the tires may have been punctured by an external object, or the air may be leaking from a defective value stem.

A punctured tire can be plugged with a tire repair kit if the puncture is not near the sidewall.

Can I disable the TPMS system in F-250?

No, the TPMS system is federally mandated, and cannot be disabled in Ford F-250 Super Duty. All vehicles must have a working tire pressure monitoring system to be legally compliant.

Use OBD2 scanner for diagnosis

Since Ford F-250 Super Duty is equipped with on-board diagnostics (OBD), a fault diagnosis can provide initial indications of where the malfunction is located. But when it comes to TPMS, a basic code reader will not suffice. You will need an advanced scanner to monitor TPMS data or read TPMS codes.

BlueDriver is a Bluetooth based diagnostic device which you can connect to the OBDII port in your vehicle and use your mobile phone for diagnosis. You will need to download the “BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool” app from the App Store on your iPhone, or from Google Play Store if you have an Android phone.

BlueDriver is a commonly used scanner by DIYers that can read TPMS codes for most vehicles and isn’t too expensive – costs about a hundred bucks. You can also clear the TPMS fault codes with this device which will turn off the warning light, but the light may come back on if the on-board diagnostic system detects a fault again.

Author: Nabeel K
Email: nabeel@wheelsjoint.com



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