GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses radio and sensor technology to check tire pressure levels. If your vehicle has this feature, sensors are mounted onto each tire and wheel assembly, except the compact spare tire and wheel. Tire pressure readings are sent to a receiver located in the vehicle once every 60 seconds while the vehicle is being driven, and once every 60 minutes if the vehicle is stationary for more than 15 minutes.

Using the Driver Information Center (DIC), tire pressure levels may be viewed by the driver. For additional information and details about the DIC operation and displays see DIC Controls and Displays and DIC Warnings and Messages .

If a low tire pressure condition is detected, the TPMS will display the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning message on the DIC and, at the same time, illuminate the low tire pressure warning symbol, on the instrument panel cluster.

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.)


Object Number: 1198521  Size: A3

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.

A Tire and Loading Information Label , attached to your vehicle, shows the size of your vehicle's original equipment tires and the correct inflation pressure for your vehicle's tires when they are cold. See Loading the Vehicle for an example of the tire and loading information label and its location on your vehicle. Also see Inflation - Tire Pressure .

Your vehicle's TPMS can warn you about a low tire pressure condition but it does not replace normal tire maintenance. See Tire Inspection and Rotation and Tires .

Notice: Do not use a tire sealant if your vehicle has Tire Pressure Monitors. The liquid sealant can damage the tire pressure monitor sensors.

TPM Sensor Identification Codes

Each TPMS sensor has a unique identification code. Any time you replace one or more of the TPMS sensors or rotate your vehicle's tires, the identification codes will need to be matched to the new tire/wheel position. The sensors are matched to the tire/wheel positions in the following order: driver's side front tire, passenger's side front tire, passenger's side rear tire, and driver's side rear tire using a TPMS diagnostic tool. See your GM dealer for service.

The TPMS sensors may also be matched to each tire/wheel position by increasing or decreasing the tire's air pressure. If using this method to match TPMS sensors, the complete procedure outlined below must be performed within 15 minutes of the vehicle being stationary.

You will have one minute to match the first tire/wheel position, and five minutes overall, to match all four tire/wheel positions. If it takes longer than one minute to match the first tire and wheel, or more than five minutes to match all four tire/wheel positions, the matching process stops and you will need to start over.

The TPM matching process is outlined below:

  1. Set the parking brake.
  2. Press the push-button ignition switch to ACC.
  3. Using the Keyless Access transmitter, lock and unlock the vehicle's doors.
  4. Press the lock and unlock buttons, at the same time, on the Keyless Access transmitter. A single horn chirp will sound, indicating that the TPMS is ready, and the sensor matching process can begin.
  5. Start with the driver's side front tire.
  6. Remove the valve cap from the valve stem. Activate the TPMS sensor by increasing or decreasing the tire's air pressure for five seconds, or until a horn chirp sounds. The horn chirp, which may take up to 30 seconds to sound, confirms that the sensor identification code has been matched to this tire position. To decrease the tire's air-pressure use the pointed end of the valve cap, a pencil-style air pressure gauge, or a key.
  7. Proceed to the passenger's side front tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 6.
  8. Proceed to the passenger's side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 6.
  9. Proceed to the driver's side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 6.
  10. After hearing the confirming single horn chirp for the driver's side rear tire, a double horn chirp will sound to signal the tire matching mode is no longer active. Press the push-button ignition switch to ACC.
  11. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure level as indicated on the tire and loading information label.
  12. Put the valve caps back on the valve stems.

The spare tire does not have a TPMS sensor. If you replace one of the road tires with the spare, the SERVICE TIRE MONITOR message will be displayed on the DIC screen. This message should go off once you re-install the road tire containing the TPM sensor. The SERVICE TIRE MONITOR message is also displayed when the TPMS system is malfunctioning. One or more missing or inoperable TPMS sensors will cause the SERVICE TIRE MONITOR message to be displayed. See your GM dealer for service.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Industry and Science Canada

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

  1. This device may not cause interference.
  2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

  1. This device may not cause interference.
  2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Changes or modifications to this system by other than an authorized service facility could void authorization to use this equipment.