You'd think the system has to be programmed... otherwise if you are next to another escape on the freeway or road... how would it know which 4 tires to listen to?

 

If your Escape's tires are only a couple of inches away from another Escape's tires, while on a freeway or road, I think tire pressure is the least of your worries.

 

More like several feet..... the receiver is going to be in the front of the vehicle... and it has to pick up the reponse from the sensor in the back. Likely its similiar to an RFID tag, and you'd have to allow for some margin of error.... I think picking up the car behind you or next to you in a parking lot is quite likely and would have to be accounted for.

 

I thought the receivers were quite close to each wheel, like near the ABS sensors?

 

I went online to a few manufacturers of TPMS sensors... Some of them also sell handheld units for "programming" them to be recognized at the factory. The company I looked at does sell to Ford (I'm forgetting its name now).

In any case, at least in SOME of the systems it appears the sensors (or the receiver) have to be programmed to communicate properly.

 

The transmitter only sends out a bleep every so often, and I think there's a good chance the light doesn't go on the very first time it gets a strange blip....sounds like it might want to get several sequental signals for low pressure before it turns on. It wouldn't be hard to have generic transmitters, but disregard things if you're getting funny signals, and wait a few minutes until things are clear. The whole system is pretty hokey by the description, and not all that accurate.

 

I art and engineer two.

 

Opps I edited my message instead of posting a new one....

 

The sensors have to be "trained" which is outlined in the service manual. I had it done when I had a TPMS module installed in my full-sized spare. The ignition switch must be cycled from OFF to RUN three times, then left in RUN; the brake pedal is pressed and released; the ignition is then switched between OFF and RUN another three times, leaving it in the RUN position, at which time the message center should say "TRAIN LEFT FRONT TIRE". The activator is placed near the LF sensor (opposite the valve stem) and the horn will beep when the sensor is trained. You then proceed to the right front tire and follow sequentially clockwise to train the sensors. It won't work if you do them out of sequence.

Wheel rotation does not affect the training (according to the information I've been given and past experience).

 

On my parents Buick Centurys, the systems measures wheel rotations, and if on wheel starts to rotate more times than the others it triggers the low pressure alarm. I assume the FEH system will use sensors like the TCH systems does, and if that is the case, I would assume it to be much better. The only problem I see is the pressure it allerts you to. I have my tires pumped up to 40-45 PSI, while Toyota recomends 30ish. So by the time the sensor tells me the tire is low, I am way lower than what I want it to be. I think there should be a way to set the sensors at a desired pressur level, and have them alert you if you fall below that level.