When buying new rims.....

When buying new rims, be sure to get new TPMs. You cannot reuse the old ones because Ford installed them pretty permanently and they will break if you try to take them off.

I had no idea. Tire people had no idea. Poor car is in the air right now.

Will post pics when done.

Everyone have a nice weekend.

Continuing saga....

Okay, you don't have to replace the TPMs, but you do have to replace the mounting hardware. The mounting hardware is basically a metal band that attaches to the TPM, wrapped around the inside of the wheel and secured by a pop tack. I had to order a new mounting kit to the tune of $240 (for 4 metal bands!). They arrive Tuesday and will be installed Wednesday if all goes ok. (cross fingers)

The car will still run without the TPMs but the car will beep at you. Just hit the reset button and it goes off, but there is an orange flat tire that stays lit on the speedometer.

If anyone is upgrading to 19" or larger, its probably a good idea to check with ford to see whether the bands are available that big.

If there is a way to bypass the TPM, I'd like to know too.