Do TPMS need to be reset when rotating tires?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

jeffbco

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2009
Posts
339
Reaction score
91
I was under the impression rotating tires does not effect the TPMS sensors but my friend found htis tool which implies its needed: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XVR85N7/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_XS57zbP1JGNZ3

Can someone clarify how this system works when related to tire rotation?

Thanks
What year truck? Check your owner's manual - it should describe the resetting process. TPMS is not smart enough to figure out you moved the wheels without a resetting intervention.
 

iamdub

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2016
Posts
20,821
Reaction score
44,932
Location
Li'l Weezyana
I was under the impression rotating tires does not effect the TPMS sensors but my friend found htis tool which implies its needed: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XVR85N7/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_XS57zbP1JGNZ3

Can someone clarify how this system works when related to tire rotation?

Thanks

The point of that tool is to relearn the positions. The older models could be done by entering a programming mode using the DIC, the newer ones require a tool.

The car receives four signals, one from each wheel, of the amount of air pressure in each tire. The car doesn't know WHERE those four tires are. It's up to you to program what tire is where. You go to each wheel, starting with the left front and let air out the tire (older version) or place the tool next to the valve stem (newer version). This tells the car that the tire losing pressure or the one that the tool is near is the left front wheel. You repeat the process in a clockwise rotation with the right front, then right rear and end with the left rear. You could go in whatever order you wanted to, and the car would still program each one in it's clockwise order because it doesn't know you went to different corners outside of the clockwise pattern. All this would do is report the pressures incorrectly so if you had a low tire, it may report it as being on a different tire. When you rotate the tires, you have to tell the car that "X" sensor is now in the left front position, "X" sensor in now in the right front position, etc.
 
OP
OP
B

bandroidx

TYF Newbie
Joined
Oct 31, 2016
Posts
24
Reaction score
1
What year truck? Check your owner's manual - it should describe the resetting process. TPMS is not smart enough to figure out you moved the wheels without a resetting intervention.

My truck is a 2004, but my friends is a 2013.

On my truck I think there is only a light, unless it says on the screen which tire is low. I dont think my 2004 can tell me the PSI and which tire is low, I think just a general low pressure light will come on.
 
OP
OP
B

bandroidx

TYF Newbie
Joined
Oct 31, 2016
Posts
24
Reaction score
1
The point of that tool is to relearn the positions. The older models could be done by entering a programming mode using the DIC, the newer ones require a tool.

The car receives four signals, one from each wheel, of the amount of air pressure in each tire. The car doesn't know WHERE those four tires are. It's up to you to program what tire is where. You go to each wheel, starting with the left front and let air out the tire (older version) or place the tool next to the valve stem (newer version). This tells the car that the tire losing pressure or the one that the tool is near is the left front wheel. You repeat the process in a clockwise rotation with the right front, then right rear and end with the left rear. You could go in whatever order you wanted to, and the car would still program each one in it's clockwise order because it doesn't know you went to different corners outside of the clockwise pattern. All this would do is report the pressures incorrectly so if you had a low tire, it may report it as being on a different tire. When you rotate the tires, you have to tell the car that "X" sensor is now in the left front position, "X" sensor in now in the right front position, etc.

But if the older cars like my 2004 dont show psi per wheel or tell you which wheel is low, why would you need to program via DIC?
 

Kenny D

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2017
Posts
1,236
Reaction score
1,282
Location
Crosby, Tx
Glad I ran across this thread, I had mine rotated about 3k ago and was going in today to have it done again. I am not sure if the tire shop did anything to the TPMS then, but I will run the relearn procedure myself. I had no idea that it made a difference in position.
 

PG01

Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2016
Posts
14,820
Reaction score
18,077
Location
Up here to the right
Glad I ran across this thread, I had mine rotated about 3k ago and was going in today to have it done again. I am not sure if the tire shop did anything to the TPMS then, but I will run the relearn procedure myself. I had no idea that it made a difference in position.
Unless you really care kenny, it doesn’t really matter.... you have a low tire the light goes on or something chimes and you get out and look at them all anyway, put air in the one that looks low....;) @Kenny D
 

Kenny D

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2017
Posts
1,236
Reaction score
1,282
Location
Crosby, Tx
@Galante , you are probably right. It is just nice to know which one is going flat at 80mph so I can lean away from it to balance out the weight or even hop up on two wheels altogether.
 

iamdub

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2016
Posts
20,821
Reaction score
44,932
Location
Li'l Weezyana
But if the older cars like my 2004 dont show psi per wheel or tell you which wheel is low, why would you need to program via DIC?

By "older", I meant the ones just prior to the newer ones that require a tool and not the "older, older" ones that don't report positions. I don't know what year ranges had what system design. With your '04, if it reports a low tire, you just have to get out and look to see which one it is and never have to worry with relearning the positions after rotating. I wouldn't mind that simplicity but I also like being able to check my pressures by scrolling through a menu from the driver's seat, even though I check and adjust mine manually with a gauge every week or two.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,091
Posts
1,862,262
Members
96,559
Latest member
McRib
Top