Here's the deal: I just bought new (used) wheels and tires already mounted. I don't know if the new set has the TPMS in them or not. I don't know exactly how balanced the new set is. Here is what I want to accomplish:
1) Have my current wheels removed from my truck.
2) Have new wheels balanced
3) Have new wheels checked for TPMS
4) If TPMS sensors are present, have new wheels installed on my truck

I have two questions:

1) Is there a way to check for TPMS without removing the tire from the wheel?
2) If the new wheels have TPMS, would it be possible to leave them in the wheels and "reprogram" them to work with my truck? I called one tire place and they said that they would have to take the current TPMS out of my current wheels and put them on the new wheels (this came with a mounting and balancing charge for 8 tires which is $200)....

 

What year truck did the new wheels come from and what year truck do you have ?

 

Came from a 2017... I have 2015. New ones are the 22" Limited wheels, old ones are the 20" chrome PVD wheels.

 

The tire valve looks different on TPMS. I can't imagine it doesn't include the sensors. Can you post a pic of one of the valves?

 

 

Hmmm... That doesn't look like a TPMS valve to me. Maybe when they had them removed they just had the shop put in a regular valve so they could be aired up and easier to sell. Kind of screws you since you have to pay extra to have it done now.

 

True. OK, so now here's another question: which would be better to take it to, my Ford dealer or a third party place, I'll call it option B. Option B, as I stated in my first post, said they would charge $200 to do it because they had no way to check for the TPMS without removing the tire. If I take it to my Ford dealer, they should be able to tell if the TPMS is there or not correct? If it is there, they can install them and train the TPMS and be done with it. If it is not there, they should be able to take the old ones out and put them in the new wheels right? Would they do it cheaper than $200?

What is my best course of action now?

 

Do I NEED tpms sensors? Will the computer throw a fit if they aren't there? Could I just avoid the charges to swap them out altogether? Or would that not be recommended or even possible?

 

I am not sure how the F150 will react but my Expedition HATED not having TPMS and would complain LOUDLY until they were there and the right pressure. You don't need Ford for this.

You could just install the new wheels and see if it detects TMPS. Not sure if the frequency changed between your 2 years. Also the tire doesn't need to be removed they just need to break the bead to check or replace the TMPS. Go to your local tire shop! FYI: My valves have a visible copper edge on them.

Hopefully someone else will chime in with the F150 learning TMPS details.

 

You don't have to fully remove the tire from the wheel to verify TPMS presence, you just need to break the bead on one side. Reseating may be a PITA with the lower-profile tire, though.

You could also install the wheels and try to program the truck to the TPMS sensors; if that doesn't work, then you're either doing the programming wrong or they don't have the correct sensors installed.