The Tire Pressure Monitoring System, or TPMS, monitors the air pressure inside the tires and turns on a warning light when one or more tires are underinflated. On a Ford Transit, the correct reset procedure can vary slightly depending on the model year and instrument-cluster configuration.
Step 1: Check and Adjust the Tire Pressures
Park the Ford Transit on a level surface and allow the tires to cool for at least three hours if possible. Tire pressure increases while driving, so checking cold tires provides a more accurate reading.
Locate the tire pressure label on the driver-side door frame, door edge, or B-pillar. Inflate the front and rear tires to the pressures shown on this label. Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall.
Ford Transit vans may require different pressures for the front and rear tires because of their load-carrying design. Always follow the vehicle’s tire pressure label rather than using the same pressure in all four tires.
Inspect each tire for:
Punctures or visible damage
Air leaks around the valve stem
Bent or damaged wheels
Incorrect tire size
Missing or damaged TPMS sensors
Step 2: Reset the TPMS Through the Information Display
This is the most common reset method on Ford Transit models equipped with steering-wheel information display controls.
Turn the ignition on without starting the engine. On vehicles with a push-button start, press the Start button without pressing the brake pedal.
Use the steering-wheel controls to open the vehicle settings menu.
Depending on the model year, select one of the following menu paths:
Settings → Driver Assist → Tire Monitor
or
Settings → Information → Tire Pressure → Reset
Select the tire pressure monitoring option.
Press and hold the OK button.
Continue holding the button until a confirmation message appears, such as:
Tire Pressure Reset
Reset Complete
Tire Monitor Reset
Switch the ignition off.
Ford’s owner information confirms that many Transit models use the instrument display and require the OK button to be held until the reset confirmation appears.
Step 3: Drive the Vehicle to Complete the Relearn
After resetting the system, start the engine and drive the Transit.
Drive for approximately 15 minutes at a speed above 25 mph, or 40 km/h. During this drive, the TPMS control module should automatically identify the sensors and relearn the tire pressure readings.
The warning light may not disappear immediately. The system sometimes requires several minutes of continuous driving before updating the readings.
Alternative Reset Method Using the Hazard Warning Switch
Some Ford Transit models use a hazard-switch procedure to enter TPMS reset or training mode.
Make sure all four tires are inflated correctly.
Park the vehicle and switch the ignition off.
Switch the ignition on without starting the engine.
Within 10 seconds, turn the hazard warning flashers on and off three times:
On → Off → On → Off → On → Off
If the vehicle successfully enters TPMS reset mode, the horn should sound once, the TPMS warning indicator may flash, and a message may appear in the information display.
Follow the instructions displayed on the instrument panel.
If the horn does not sound, switch the ignition off and repeat the procedure. Ford specifies that the three hazard-light cycles must be completed within 10 seconds.
TPMS Sensor Training After Replacing a Sensor
A normal dashboard reset may be sufficient after adjusting tire pressures or rotating the tires. However, a TPMS training tool may be required when:
A TPMS sensor has been replaced
New wheels have been installed
A complete set of winter wheels has been fitted
The vehicle cannot identify one or more sensors
The warning light flashes before remaining illuminated
The displayed tire positions are incorrect
To train the sensors, you normally need a compatible Ford TPMS activation tool.
Sensor Training Procedure
Inflate all tires to the correct pressures.
Set the parking brake.
Turn the ignition on without starting the engine.
Enter TPMS training mode using the information display or hazard-warning-switch procedure.
Wait for the horn to sound once.
Begin with the left-front tire.
Hold the TPMS activation tool against the tire sidewall near the valve stem.
Press the activation button on the tool.
Wait for the horn to sound. The horn confirms that the sensor has been recognized.
Continue in this order:
Left front → Right front → Right rear → Left rear
After the final sensor is recognized, the horn may sound twice or the display may show that training is complete.
Switch the ignition off and drive the vehicle to verify that the warning light stays off.
The exact training sequence can vary by model year, so the instructions supplied with the TPMS tool and the vehicle owner’s manual should take priority.
When the TPMS Warning Light Will Not Reset
The Warning Light Remains Solid
A solid TPMS warning light normally means that one or more tires are still underinflated. Recheck every tire with an accurate pressure gauge, including tires on dual-rear-wheel models where applicable.
The warning may also remain on because:
A tire has a slow leak
The pressures were adjusted while the tires were hot
Front and rear pressures were entered incorrectly
The vehicle has not been driven long enough
The reset procedure was not completed
Ford advises checking for tire damage, correcting the tire pressures and then carrying out the system reset.
The Warning Light Flashes and Then Stays On
A flashing TPMS light usually indicates a system malfunction rather than simple low tire pressure. Possible causes include:
A damaged TPMS sensor
A dead sensor battery
An incompatible replacement sensor
A missing sensor
Radio-frequency interference
A TPMS receiver or control-module fault
A professional TPMS scan tool may be required to identify the faulty sensor.
The Light Came On After Tire Rotation
Reset the TPMS after rotating the tires. Ford Transit models may use different front and rear pressure thresholds, so the system needs to relearn the tire positions after a rotation.
The Light Came On After Installing the Spare Tire
Many temporary spare tires do not contain a compatible TPMS sensor. The warning light may remain on until the repaired road wheel and functioning sensor are reinstalled.
Important Safety Information
Resetting the TPMS does not repair an air leak, damaged tire or defective sensor. Never reset the system simply to turn off the warning light without checking the tires first.
Always use the pressures shown on the Ford Transit tire information label. Tire pressures vary according to tire size, vehicle configuration and load rating.