Tire Pressure Monitoring: Notes
- The tire pressure monitoring system has been optimized for the original equipment tires and wheels. TPM system pressures have been established for the tire size equipped on the vehicle. Undesirable system operation or sensor damage may result when using replacement equipment that is not of the same size, type, or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause sensor damage. Do not use aftermarket tire sealants or balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with TPM, as damage to the sensors may result.
- Do not attempt to install a tire pressure sensor in an aftermarket wheel. Use tire pressure sensors in original style factory wheels only. If aftermarket wheels are installed, and therefore do not contain tire pressure sensors, the system will not function properly and the driver will be continuously notified of a system malfunction.
- After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure always reinstall the valve stem cap. This will prevent moisture and dirt from entering the valve stem, which could damage the tire pressure sensor.
- Tire pressure sensor valve stem caps and cores are specially designed for the sensors. Due to risk of corrosion, do not use a standard valve stem cap or core in a tire pressure sensor in place of the original equipment style sensor cap and core.
- Any time a sensor is to be installed in a wheel, it is necessary to install a new sensor-to-wheel seal, metal washer and valve stem nut, to ensure air tight sealing.
- When installing the valve core, be sure to tighten the core to specifications.
The tire pressure monitoring system monitors air pressure in the four road tires (excludes spare). Pressure in the spare tire is not monitored.
There are two tire pressure monitoring systems available, a base system and a premium system. The base system does not specify how many tires are low or where they are located. The premium system does so.
The base TPM system consists of tire pressure monitoring sensors attached to each road wheel through the valve stem mounting hole, a central receiver module, WIN, and an indicator lamp.
The premium TPM system consists of tire pressure monitoring sensors attached to each road wheel through the valve stem mounting hole, a wireless control module, three wheel sensor transponders located in three of the four wheel wells, an electronic display, and an indicator lamp.
The receiver circuit for the TPM system is integrated into the WIN. For non-remote start vehicles, the antenna is internal to the WIN. For factory installed remote start vehicles, the antenna is external to the WIN. The WIN can also include the remote keyless entry receiver, Remote Start (if equipped) and the sentry key immobilizer receiver. All receivers share a number of common components. The WIN decodes the RF signals transmitted by each of the vehicle's tire pressure sensors. The decoded information is used to determine if "warning" or "fault" conditions exist within the TPM system.
Upon detection of a warning or fault condition, the WIN will send a request to the module that controls the indicator lamp (and the text display if equipped with the premium system) via the vehicle bus system to illuminate or flash the indicator lamp. Also, upon detection of a warning or fault condition, the electronic display will send a request to sound the "chime".
The WIN will store all warning and fault conditions, placard pressure values and low-pressure threshold values (lamp ON and OFF) in memory that can be accessed through diagnostic communication. If new sensors are introduced to the vehicle, the data stored for the sensor being replaced will be deleted.
The WIN will store all wheel sensor IDs and locations and faults in memory that can be accessed through diagnostic communication. All other data values transmitted from each active wheel sensor (not the spare tire) shall be stored in the WIN memory.
The WIN automatically learns and stores the sensor IDs while driving "within 10 minutes continuously above 15 mph (24 km/h)" after a sensor has been replaced. The learning sequence will initiate when the vehicle has been stopped for more than 20 minutes.
A new sensor ID can also be programmed directly into the WIN by using a RKE-TPM analyzer in conjunction with a scan tool. Once the new sensor ID has been programmed, the RKE-TPM Analyzer can be used to update the TPMS by activating the sensor.
- The tire pressure monitoring system has been optimized for the original equipment tires and wheels. TPM system pressures have been established for the tire size equipped on the vehicle. Undesirable system operation or sensor damage may result when using replacement equipment that is not of the same size, type, or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause sensor damage. Do not use aftermarket tire sealants or balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with TPM, as damage to the sensors may result.
- Do not attempt to install a tire pressure sensor in an aftermarket wheel. Use tire pressure sensors in original style factory wheels only. If aftermarket wheels are installed, and therefore do not contain tire pressure sensors, the system will not function properly and the driver will be continuously notified of a system malfunction.
- After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure always reinstall the valve stem cap. This will prevent moisture and dirt from entering the valve stem, which could damage the tire pressure sensor.
- Tire pressure sensor valve stem caps and cores are specially designed for the sensors. Due to risk of corrosion, do not use a standard valve stem cap or core in a tire pressure sensor in place of the original equipment style sensor cap and core.
- Any time a sensor is to be installed in a wheel, it is necessary to install a new sensor-to-wheel seal, metal washer and valve stem nut, to ensure air tight sealing.
- When installing the valve core, be sure to tighten the core to specifications.