GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). This system uses radio and sensor technology to check tire pressure levels. Sensors are mounted onto each tire and wheel assembly, except for the spare tire. The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in your vehicle's tires and transmit tire pressure readings to a receiver located in the vehicle.

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.

Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately one minute and then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.

When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.

When a low tire pressure condition is detected, the TPMS illuminates the low tire pressure warning symbol on the instrument panel cluster, and at the same time the CHECK TIRE PRESS message appears on the Driver Information Center (DIC) display.

The low tire pressure warning symbol on the instrument panel cluster, and the CHECK TIRE PRESS message appear at each ignition cycle until the tires are inflated to the correct inflation pressure. For additional information and details about the DIC operation and displays see DIC Operation and Displays and DIC Warnings and Messages .

The tire pressure warning light may come on in cool weather when the vehicle is first started, and then turn off as you start to drive. This could be an early indicator that the tire pressures are getting low and need to be inflated to the proper pressure.

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 information label and its location on your vehicle. Also see Inflation - Tire Pressure .

Your vehicle's TPMS system 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.

The TPMS will not function properly if one or more of the TPMS sensors are missing or inoperable. See your Saturn retailer for service if all TPMS sensors are installed and the error message comes on and stays on.

TPMS Sensor Identification Codes

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

The TPMS sensors may also be matched to each tire/wheel position by increasing or decreasing the tire's air pressure. When increasing the tire's pressure, do not exceed the maximum inflation pressure indicated on the tire's sidewall.

You have two minutes to match each tire and wheel position. If it takes longer than two minutes to match any tire and wheel position, the matching process stops and you need to start over.

The TPMS matching process is outlined below:

  1. Set the parking brake.
  2. Turn the ignition switch to ON with the engine off.
  3. Press and hold both the Lock and Unlock buttons on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter, at the same time, for approximately five seconds or until you hear the horn sound twice.
  4. The horn sounds twice to indicate the TPMS receiver is ready to learn TPMS sensors. The driver side front turn signal also comes on to indicate that corner's sensor is ready to be learned.
  5. Start with the driver side front tire.
  6. Remove the valve cap from the tire's valve stem. Activate the TPMS sensor by increasing or decreasing the tire's air pressure for about eight seconds. The horn chirp, which may take up to 30 seconds to sound, sounds one time and all the turn signals flash one time to confirm that the sensor identification code has been matched to the tire/wheel position. To decrease the tire's air-pressure use the pointed end of the valve cap, a pencil-style air pressure gage, or a key.
  7. The passenger side front turn signal comes on to indicate that corner's sensor is ready to be learned. Proceed to the passenger side front tire and repeat the procedure in Step 6.
  8. The passenger side rear turn signal comes on to indicate that corner's sensor is ready to be learned. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire and repeat the procedure in Step 6.
  9. The driver side rear turn signal comes on to indicate that corner's sensor is ready to be learned. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 6.
  10. After hearing the single horn chirp for the driver side rear tire, two additional horn chirps sound to indicate the tire learning process is done. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
  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.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Industry and Science Canada

The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and with 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 harmful interference.
  2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry and Science 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.

Your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). This system uses radio and sensor technology to check tire pressure levels. Sensors are mounted onto each tire and wheel assembly. The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in your vehicle's tires and transmit tire pressure readings to a receiver located in the vehicle.

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.

Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately one minute and then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.

When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.

When a low tire pressure condition is detected, the TPMS illuminates the low tire pressure warning light on the instrument panel cluster, and at the same time the CHECK TIRE PRESS message appears on the Driver Information Center (DIC) display.

The low tire pressure warning light on the instrument panel cluster, and the CHECK TIRE PRESS message displays at each ignition cycle until the tires are inflated to the correct inflation pressure. For additional information and details about the DIC operation and displays see DIC Operation and Displays and DIC Warnings and Messages .

The tire pressure warning light may come on in cool weather when the vehicle is first started, and then turn off as you start to drive. This could be an early indicator that the tire pressures are getting low and need to be inflated to the proper pressure.

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 system 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: Your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). Use only the GM-provided tire sealant. Other liquid tire sealants may damage the tire pressure sensors.

The TPMS will not function properly if one or more of the TPMS sensors are missing or inoperable. See your Saturn retailer for service if all TPMS sensors are installed and the TPMS error message comes on and stays on.

TPMS Sensor Identification Codes

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

The TPMS sensors can also be matched to each tire/wheel position by increasing or decreasing the tire's air pressure. When increasing the tire's pressure, do not exceed the maximum inflation pressure indicated on the tire's sidewall. To decrease the tire's air-pressure use the pointed end of the valve cap, a pencil-style air pressure gage, or a key.

You have two minutes to match each tire and wheel position. If it takes longer than two minutes to match any tire and wheel position, the matching process stops and you need to start over.

The TPMS matching process is outlined below:

  1. Set the parking brake.
  2. Turn the ignition switch to ON with the engine off.
  3. Press and hold both the Lock and Unlock buttons on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter, at the same time, for approximately five seconds or until you hear the horn sound twice.
  4. The horn sounding twice indicates the receiver is ready to learn the TPMS sensors. The driver side front turn signal comes on indicating that corner's sensor is ready to be learned.
  5. Start with the driver side front tire.
  6. Remove the valve cap from the tire's valve stem. Activate the TPMS sensor by increasing or decreasing the tire's air pressure for about eight seconds. The horn chirp, can take up to 30 seconds to sound. It sounds one time and all the turn signals flash one time to confirm the sensor identification code has been matched to the tire/wheel position.
  7. The passenger side front turn signal comes on to indicate that corner's sensor is ready to be learned. Proceed to the passenger side front tire and repeat the procedure in Step 6.
  8. The passenger side rear turn signal comes on to indicate that corner's sensor is ready to be learned. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire and repeat the procedure in Step 6.
  9. The driver side rear turn signal comes on to indicate that corner's sensor is ready to be learned. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 6.
  10. After hearing the single horn chirp for the driver side rear tire, two additional horn chirps sound to indicate the tire learning process is done. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
  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.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Industry and Science Canada

The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) operates on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and with 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 harmful interference.
  2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry and Science 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.