The Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system alerts the driver
when a large change in the pressure of one tire exists while the vehicle
is being driven. The TPM system uses the Electronic Brake Control Module
(EBCM), Body Control Module (BCM), ABS wheel speed sensor inputs, Instrument
Panel (IP) fuse block Reset button, class 2 serial data circuit, and
the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) to perform the system functions. The
EBCM contains the software to calculate relative tire pressure differences.
The software requires approximately 30 minutes of straight line
driving in each of the three speed ranges to complete the calibration process
in order to have full capability for detecting a tire pressure condition.
The speed ranges are as follows:
• | 64-113 km/h (40-70 mph) |
• | 113-145 km/h (70-90 mph) |
Each speed range has 2 modes of tire pressure detection.
The EBCM learns the tire pressure calibration for each speed range independently.
In Monitor Mode 1, the EBCM has only partially learned the tire
pressure calibration for the speed range and has limited detection capability
for a tire pressure conditions. In Monitor Mode 2, the EBCM has
fully learned the tire pressure calibration for the speed range and has
full detection capability for a tire pressure condition. Once the TPM system
has learned the tire pressure calibration the EBCM monitors the ABS wheel
speed sensor inputs, which will all be the same as the learned calibration
if the tire pressures stay the same. If the pressure increases or decreases
in a tire, so too will that tire's circumference and radius, which causes
that wheel speed sensor input to change. The EBCM recognizes this change
in wheel speed as a tire pressure condition. If the pressure in one tire
becomes at least 69 kPa (10 psi) lower or higher than the
other three the EBCM commands the IPC to turn on the LOW TIRE indicator
via a class 2 serial data circuit. This indicator does not appear
if the pressure is high or low in more than one tire, or if the system
is not completely calibrated . The system does not alert the driver to which
tire pressure is high or low. To turn off the LOW TIRE indicator refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor Procedure
.