Most modern Fords use indirect TPMS — reset it through the SYNC menu after inflating, then drive briefly to relearn. Older Fords with direct sensors need a dedicated relearn procedure.
Why the Ford tyre pressure light is on
Ford TPMS warnings usually mean one tyre is at least 4 PSI below the door placard. The system compares wheel-rotation speeds, so a tyre that's 'gone down a bit' over a couple of weeks rolls at a slightly different rate and triggers the light. Cold weather is the second-biggest cause.
Ford tyre pressure light reset — step by step
- Set all four tyres cold to the pressure on the driver's door pillar sticker (the values vary by load — check the right column).
- Switch ignition to ON without starting the engine.
- On Fiesta Mk7/Mk8, Focus Mk3/Mk4, Kuga, Puma, Ecosport: go to SYNC screen → Settings → Driver Assistance → Tyre Monitor → Reset.
- On older Fiesta/Focus without SYNC: press the SETUP button on the steering wheel, scroll to 'Tyre Reset' and confirm with OK.
- On Transit/Transit Custom: ignition ON, press and hold the hazard switch for 3 seconds — horn sounds twice to confirm.
- Drive at over 25mph for 10–15 minutes for the system to complete the relearn.
Models covered
Fiesta Mk6/Mk7/Mk8, Focus Mk2/Mk3/Mk4, Kuga Mk1/Mk2/Mk3, Puma, Ecosport, Mondeo Mk4/Mk5, S-Max, Galaxy, Transit/Transit Custom, Ranger
If the light won't go off
Light back on after a few days? Look for a slow puncture — Ford TPMS is sensitive, so even 3 PSI loss will set it off. If pressures are right but the light remains, on direct-TPMS Fords (some Mondeo, Galaxy, S-Max Titanium and US-spec Kuga) one of the sensors has likely failed — a forScan scan or generic TPMS tool will identify which wheel.
What it costs
Reset is free. Direct TPMS sensor (where fitted): £30–£60 per sensor plus £15–£25 fitting. A full set of 4 sensors fitted is typically £150–£280 at an independent.
Bob's workshop tip
Ford's indirect system needs the reset done on a cold morning with all four tyres exactly at the placard pressure — eyeball it and you'll be back in two weeks. Use a digital gauge, not the forecourt air machine.
Ford TPMS FAQs
Why is my Ford tyre pressure light on?
Ford TPMS warnings usually mean one tyre is at least 4 PSI below the door placard. The system compares wheel-rotation speeds, so a tyre that's 'gone down a bit' over a couple of weeks rolls at a slightly different rate and triggers the light. Cold weather is the second-biggest cause.
How do I reset the tyre pressure light on a Ford?
Set all four tyres cold to the pressure on the driver's door pillar sticker (the values vary by load — check the right column). Switch ignition to ON without starting the engine. On Fiesta Mk7/Mk8, Focus Mk3/Mk4, Kuga, Puma, Ecosport: go to SYNC screen → Settings → Driver Assistance → Tyre Monitor → Reset. On older Fiesta/Focus without SYNC: press the SETUP button on the steering wheel, scroll to 'Tyre Reset' and confirm with OK. On Transit/Transit Custom: ignition ON, press and hold the hazard switch for 3 seconds — horn sounds twice to confirm. Drive at over 25mph for 10–15 minutes for the system to complete the relearn.
My Ford TPMS light won't go off — what now?
Light back on after a few days? Look for a slow puncture — Ford TPMS is sensitive, so even 3 PSI loss will set it off. If pressures are right but the light remains, on direct-TPMS Fords (some Mondeo, Galaxy, S-Max Titanium and US-spec Kuga) one of the sensors has likely failed — a forScan scan or generic TPMS tool will identify which wheel.
How much does it cost to fix a Ford TPMS fault?
Reset is free. Direct TPMS sensor (where fitted): £30–£60 per sensor plus £15–£25 fitting. A full set of 4 sensors fitted is typically £150–£280 at an independent.
What Bob keeps in the boot
A pump puts air back in, but it will not seal the hole. For a nail or a screw in the tread, the repair itself is the Emergency Puncture Repair Kit — £9.99 with free UK delivery: rubber rope plugs, reamer, T-handle tool and rubber solution, posted from the workshop in Birnam, Dunkeld. If you would rather not take a wheel off at the roadside, the quick-fix tyre repair spray is the no-tools option. Keeping the pressures right in the first place is covered in tyre pressures by registration and resetting the tyre pressure warning light, and the pump itself in Bob's electric tyre pump picks.
Be straight about what a plug is: a get-you-home repair for small punctures in the central three-quarters of the tread. Never plug sidewall or shoulder damage, drive gently afterwards, and have the tyre inspected or replaced by a tyre specialist as soon as you can.