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), ABS wheel
speed sensor inputs, class 2 serial data circuit, and the Driver
Information Center (DIC) 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 3 speed ranges in order to complete the calibration process
to have full capability of 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 one tire, so too will that tires 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) higher or lower
than the other three the EBCM commands the DIC to display the LOW TIRE PRESSURE
warning message via a class 2 serial data circuit. This message does
not appear if more than one tire is high or low, or if the system is not
properly calibrated. The system does not alert the driver to which tire
is high or low. When the tire pressures are at specified psi the TIRE PRESSURE
NORMAL message is displayed when selected on the DIC. To clear the LOW TIRE
PRESSURE message refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor Procedure
.