The 2020 Ford Explorer uses a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System, commonly called TPMS. Each wheel contains a tire pressure sensor that sends pressure information to the vehicle. When one or more tires are underinflated, the TPMS warning light appears on the instrument panel.
The 2020 Ford Explorer normally does not have a separate physical TPMS reset button. In most cases, the warning light resets automatically after all four tires are inflated correctly and the vehicle is driven for a short period. A manual sensor relearn procedure is generally required only after replacing a sensor, installing a different wheel set, or repairing a TPMS system fault.
Method 1: Reset the Low Tire Pressure Warning
Use this method when the warning light appears because one or more tires have low pressure.
Step 1: Park the Vehicle Safely
Park the Explorer on a level surface and switch off the engine. For the most accurate reading, check the tire pressures when the tires are cold.
A tire is considered cold when the vehicle has been parked for approximately three hours or has been driven less than one mile at a low speed.
Step 2: Find the Recommended Tire Pressure
Open the driver’s door and locate the Tire and Loading Information label on the driver-side door frame or door pillar.
This label shows the recommended cold tire pressure for the front and rear tires. The correct pressure may vary depending on the vehicle’s trim level, tire size and equipment.
Do not inflate the tires according to the maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall. The sidewall number is the tire’s maximum allowable pressure, not necessarily the pressure recommended for the vehicle.
Step 3: Check All Four Tires
Use an accurate tire pressure gauge to check all four road tires.
Inflate any low tire to the pressure shown on the driver-side door label. If a tire is overinflated, release a small amount of air and check it again.
Check every tire even when the instrument panel appears to identify only one low tire. Changes in temperature may affect all four tires.
Step 4: Start the Engine
Start the vehicle and check the TPMS warning light.
The warning light may remain illuminated immediately after the tires are inflated. This does not necessarily indicate a problem because the system may need to receive updated information from the wheel sensors.
Step 5: Drive the Vehicle
Drive the Explorer for approximately 10 to 20 minutes at a speed above approximately 20 mph or 32 km/h.
During the drive, the TPMS control module should receive updated signals from the sensors. When all tire pressures are within the acceptable range, the warning light should turn off automatically.
Step 6: Restart and Recheck
After driving, park the vehicle, switch off the engine and restart it.
Confirm that the TPMS warning light is no longer illuminated. You can also use the steering-wheel controls to open the tire pressure information screen in the instrument cluster and check the displayed pressure for each tire.
Why the TPMS Light May Stay On After Inflation
The warning light may not disappear immediately after the tires are inflated. Common reasons include:
The vehicle has not been driven long enough.
One tire is still below the recommended pressure.
The pressure was checked while the tires were hot.
Outdoor temperature has dropped significantly.
A tire has a slow leak or puncture.
A wheel sensor is damaged.
A sensor battery is weak or depleted.
A replacement sensor has not been programmed correctly.
An incompatible wheel or sensor has been installed.
Do not rely on disconnecting the vehicle battery to reset the TPMS warning. Disconnecting the battery usually does not correct a low-pressure condition, damaged sensor or unprogrammed sensor.
Method 2: TPMS Sensor Relearn After Sensor or Wheel Replacement
A sensor relearn procedure may be necessary after:
Replacing a TPMS sensor
Installing new wheels
Installing a winter wheel and tire set
Replacing multiple tires and sensors
Rotating wheels when the displayed tire positions are incorrect
Receiving a Tire Pressure Sensor Fault message
Receiving no pressure reading from one or more wheels
A Ford-compatible TPMS activation tool is normally required to trigger each sensor during the relearn procedure.
Before starting, confirm that every installed sensor is compatible with the 2020 Ford Explorer. A sensor with the wrong frequency or communication protocol may not work even if it physically fits inside the wheel.
Entering TPMS Training Mode
Ford vehicles can use different training procedures depending on the ignition system, software version and market specification. The following procedure is commonly used on Ford vehicles equipped with a push-button ignition, but it may not work on every 2020 Explorer configuration.
Preparation
Park the vehicle away from other vehicles with active TPMS sensors.
Set the parking brake.
Make sure the transmission is in Park.
Switch off all electrical accessories.
Close all doors.
Keep the TPMS activation tool ready.
Do not press the brake pedal unless the procedure specifically requires it.
Common Push-Button Training Sequence
Press and release the brake pedal once.
Press the Start/Stop button several times without pressing the brake pedal to switch the ignition from OFF to ON and back to OFF.
Repeat the ignition cycling sequence as required.
Press and release the brake pedal again.
Switch the ignition off.
Cycle the ignition from OFF to ON several more times, ending with the ignition in the ON position.
When the sequence is accepted, the horn should sound once and the instrument panel may display a message such as Train Left Front Tire.
Because the exact sequence can vary, a Ford-compatible scan tool is the preferred method when the vehicle does not enter training mode using the ignition procedure.
Activating the Tire Sensors
Once the vehicle enters TPMS training mode, activate the sensors in this order:
Left front tire
Right front tire
Right rear tire
Left rear tire
Hold the TPMS activation tool against the tire sidewall near the valve stem. Press the tool’s activation button and wait for the horn to sound.
A single horn sound normally confirms that the sensor has been recognized. Move to the next wheel only after receiving confirmation.
After the left rear sensor is accepted, the horn may sound again or the instrument panel may indicate that the training procedure is complete.
Switch the ignition off and recheck all tire pressures.
If the Vehicle Does Not Enter Training Mode
If the horn does not sound or no training message appears:
Repeat the sequence more slowly.
Make sure the brake pedal is not being pressed during ignition cycling.
Confirm that the vehicle is fully in Park.
Make sure the key fob is inside the vehicle.
Turn off the headlights, climate control and other accessories.
Move the vehicle away from other TPMS-equipped vehicles.
Use a Ford-compatible diagnostic scanner to activate training mode.
A professional tire shop or Ford service center can normally complete the relearn procedure quickly with a diagnostic tool.
If One Sensor Will Not Train
When the vehicle recognizes three sensors but not the fourth, the unrecognized sensor may have:
A depleted internal battery
Physical damage
An incorrect frequency
An incorrect part number
A programming problem
Excessive distance between the activation tool and sensor
Radio interference
An incorrectly positioned valve stem sensor
Try moving the activation tool around the sidewall near the valve stem. If the sensor still does not respond, test it with a TPMS diagnostic tool.
TPMS sensor batteries are sealed inside the sensors and normally cannot be replaced separately. When the battery fails, the complete sensor usually needs to be replaced.
Understanding the TPMS Warning Light
Warning Light Stays On Continuously
A solid TPMS warning light usually indicates that one or more tires are underinflated.
Check the tire pressures as soon as possible and inspect the tires for leaks, nails, sidewall damage or other problems.
Warning Light Flashes and Then Stays On
If the warning light flashes for approximately one minute and then remains illuminated, the vehicle may have a TPMS system malfunction.
Possible causes include:
A failed sensor
A missing sensor
An incompatible replacement sensor
A sensor that has not been trained
A receiver or wiring problem
Radio-frequency interference
Certain non-original wheels or tire equipment
Inflating the tires will not clear a system malfunction. The sensors and TPMS module must be diagnosed.
Effects of Cold Weather
Tire pressure decreases as outdoor temperature decreases. A tire that was correctly inflated in warm weather may trigger the TPMS warning during a cold morning.
When this happens, check the tires while they are cold and adjust them to the pressure listed on the driver-side door label.
Do not intentionally overinflate the tires to prevent the light from returning. Recheck the pressures when seasonal temperatures change.
After Tire Rotation
The 2020 Ford Explorer may continue to monitor tire pressure normally after a standard tire rotation. However, the tire positions displayed in the instrument cluster may not match the actual wheel locations until the system updates or the sensors are retrained.
If the displayed positions remain incorrect, perform a TPMS sensor relearn using the standard left-front, right-front, right-rear and left-rear training order.
Important Safety Notes
TPMS is a warning system, not a substitute for manually checking tire pressure.
Check the tires at least once a month and before long trips. Inspect the tires for punctures, uneven wear, sidewall damage and valve-stem leaks.
If a tire repeatedly loses pressure after being inflated, do not continue resetting the warning light. The tire should be inspected and repaired.
Never continue driving on a visibly flat or severely underinflated tire. Doing so can damage the tire, wheel and vehicle and may cause loss of control.
Summary
For a normal low-pressure warning on a 2020 Ford Explorer, inflate all four cold tires to the pressure shown on the driver-side door label. Then drive for approximately 10 to 20 minutes above 20 mph or 32 km/h. The TPMS warning light should reset automatically.
A manual TPMS relearn is usually needed only after replacing a wheel sensor, installing another wheel set or receiving a Tire Pressure Sensor Fault message. This procedure normally requires a Ford-compatible TPMS activation tool or diagnostic scanner.