2008 FORD F150 Owners Manual

Information on “T” type tires
“T” type tires have some additional
information beyond those of “P”
type tires; these differences are
described below:
T145/80D16 is an example of a tire
size.
Note:The temporary tire size for
your vehicle may be different from
this example.
1.T:Indicates a type of tire,
designated by the Tire and Rim
Association (T&RA), that is
intended for temporary service on
cars, SUVs, minivans and light
trucks.
2.145:Indicates the nominal width
of the tire in millimeters from
sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In general, the larger the number, the
wider the tire.
3.80:Indicates the aspect ratio which gives the tire’s ratio of height to
width. Numbers of 70 or lower indicate a short sidewall.
4.D:Indicates a “diagonal” type tire.
R:Indicates a “radial” type tire.
5.16:Indicates the wheel or rim diameter in inches. If you change your
wheel size, you will have to purchase new tires to match the new wheel
diameter.
Location of the tire label
You will find a Tire Label containing tire inflation pressure by tire size
and other important information located on the B-Pillar or the edge of
the driver’s door. Refer to the payload description and graphic in the
Vehicle loading — with and without a trailersection.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
225

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) (IF EQUIPPED)
Each tire, including the spare (if
provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to
the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires
of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire
inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the
proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces
fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling
and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator
to indicate when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as
the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be
able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions
may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction
indicator after replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function properly.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System complies with part 15 of the FCC
rules and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
226

following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System is NOT a substitute for
manually checking tire pressure. The tire pressure should be
checked periodically (at least monthly) using a tire gauge, see
Inflating your tiresin this chapter. Failure to properly maintain your
tire pressure could increase the risk of tire failure, loss of control,
vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Changing tires with TPMS
Each road tire is equipped with
a tire pressure sensor fastened
to the inside rim of the wheel.
The pressure sensor is covered
by the tire and is not visible
unless the tire is removed. The
pressure sensor is located
opposite (180 degrees) from the
valve stem. Care must be taken
when changing the tire to avoid
damaging the sensor.It is
recommended that you always have
your tires serviced by an authorized
dealer.
The tire pressure should be checked
periodically (at least monthly) using
an accurate tire gauge, refer to
Inflating your tiresin this chapter.
Understanding your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System measures pressure in your four
road tires and sends the tire pressure readings to your vehicle. The Low
Tire Warning Lamp will turn ON if the tire pressure is significantly low.
Once the light is illuminated, your tires are under inflated and need to be
inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure. Even if the
light turns ON and a short time later turns OFF, your tire pressure still
needs to be checked. Visit www.checkmytires.org for additional
information.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
227

When your temporary spare tire is installed
When one of your road tires needs to be replaced with the temporary
spare, the TPMS system will continue to identify an issue to remind you
that the damaged road wheel/tire needs to be repaired and put back on
your vehicle.
To restore the full functionality of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System,
have the damaged road wheel/tire repaired and remounted on your
vehicle. For additional information, refer toChanging tires with TPMS
in this section.
When you believe your system is not operating properly
The main function of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System is to warn you
when your tires need air. It can also warn you in the event the system is
no longer capable of functioning as intended. Please refer to the
following chart for information concerning your Tire Pressure Monitoring
System:
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
228

Low Tire Pressure
Warning LightPossible cause Customer Action Required
Solid Warning Light Tire(s)
under-inflated1. Check your tire pressure to
ensure tires are properly
inflated; refer toInflating
your tiresin this chapter.
2. After inflating your tires to
the manufacturer’s
recommended inflation
pressure as shown on the Tire
Label (located on the edge of
driver’s door or the B-Pillar),
the vehicle must be driven for
at least two minutes over
20 mph (32 km/h) before the
light will turn OFF.
Spare tire in use Your temporary spare tire is in
use. Repair the damaged road
wheel/tire and reinstall it on
the vehicle to restore system
functionality. For a description
on how the system functions,
refer toWhen your temporary
spare tire is installedin this
section.
TPMS
malfunctionIf your tires are properly
inflated and your spare tire is
not in use and the light
remains ON, have the system
inspected by your authorized
dealer.
Tire rotation
without sensor
trainingOn vehicles with different front
and rear tire pressures, the
TPMS system must be
retrained following every tire
rotation. Refer toTire rotation
in this chapter.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
229

Low Tire Pressure
Warning LightPossible cause Customer Action Required
Flashing Warning
LightSpare tire in use Your temporary spare tire is in
use. Repair the damaged road
wheel and re-mount it on the
vehicle to restore system
functionality. For a description
of how the system functions
under these conditions, refer to
When your temporary spare
tire is installedin this section.
TPMS
malfunctionIf your tires are properly
inflated and your spare tire is
not in use and the TPMS
warning light still flashes, have
the system inspected by your
authorized dealer.
When inflating your tires
When putting air into your tires (such as at a gas station or in your
garage), the Tire Pressure Monitoring System may not respond
immediately to the air added to your tires.
It may take up to two minutes of driving over 20 mph (32 km/h) for the
light to turn OFF after you have filled your tires to the recommended
inflation pressure.
How temperature affects your tire pressure
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) monitors tire pressure in
each pneumatic tire. While driving in a normal manner, a typical
passenger tire inflation pressure may increase approximately 2 to 4 psi
(14 to 28 kPa) from a cold start situation. If the vehicle is stationary
over night with the outside temperature significantly lower than the
daytime temperature, the tire pressure may decrease approximately 3 psi
(20.7 kPa) for a drop of 30° F (16.6°C) in ambient temperature. This
lower pressure value may be detected by the TPMS as being significantly
lower than the recommended inflation pressure and activate the TPMS
warning for low tire pressure. If the low tire pressure warning light is
ON, visually check each tire to verify that no tire is flat. (If one or more
tires are flat, repair as necessary.) Check air pressure in the road tires. If
any tire is under-inflated, carefully drive the vehicle to the nearest
location where air can be added to the tires. Inflate all the tires to the
recommended inflation pressure.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
230

TPMS reset procedure (if applicable)
This procedure is only required after tire rotation on vehicles
with different front and rear tire pressures.
To determine if your vehicle requires two different pressures -
one for the front tires and one for the rear tires - refer to the
Safety Compliance Certification Label or Tire Label which is located on
the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door. SeeVehicle Loadingin
this chapter for more information.
Overview
To provide the vehicle’s load carrying capability, some trucks require
different recommended tire pressures in the front tires as compared to
the rear tires. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) equipped on
this vehicle is designed to illuminate the Low Tire Pressure Warning
indicator at two different pressures; one for the front tires and one for
the rear tires. Since tires need to be rotated to provide consistent
performance and maximum tire life, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System
needs to know when the tires are rotated to determine which set of tires
are on the front and which are on the rear. With this information, the
system can detect and properly warn of low tire pressures.
Always perform the TPMS reset procedure after tire rotation. If
the system is not reset, it may not provide a low tire pressure
warning when necessary.
TPMS reset tool
A special TPMS reset tool has been provided with your vehicle to reset
your TPMS after tire rotation. The tool is located with your Owner’s
Guide materials.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
231

Please take the tool with the
provided Velcrostrip on the back
and mount it in the bottom right
corner of your Owner’s Guide case
(as shown) for safe keeping.
If you find that the reset tool was
not provided when delivered, has
been lost or no longer functions
(the battery is not replaceable),
please contact your authorized
dealer to obtain a replacement.
To verify that your TPMS reset tool is working, press and release the
button on the center of the TPMS tool. The red light should illuminate
and remain on for approximately five (5) seconds. If the light does not
illuminate, the tool needs to be replaced.
TPMS reset tips
To reduce the chances of interference from another vehicle, TPMS reset
should be performed at least three feet (one meter) away from another
Ford Motor Company vehicle undergoing the TPMS reset procedure at
same time.
Do not wait more than two (2) minutes between resetting each tire
sensor or the system will timeout and the entire procedure will have to
be repeated on all four wheels.
A double horn chirp indicates the need to repeat the procedure.
TPMS reset procedure
Note:It is recommended that you read the entire procedure before
attempting.
Note:To enter the reset mode, Steps 1–5 MUST be completed within 60
seconds.
1. The key must be in the ignition and the ignition turned to OFF/LOCK.
Press and release the brake pedal.
2. Cycle the ignition from OFF/LOCK to RUN three (3) times ending in
the RUN position.DO NOTstart the engine.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal for two (2) seconds, then release.
4. Turn the ignition to OFF/LOCK (DO NOTremove the key.)
5. Cycle the ignition from OFF/LOCK to RUN three (3) times ending in
RUN.DO NOTstart the engine.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
232