Tire Pressure Monitor

[Stealth Wgn]

Light is coming on indicating low pressure, when I check the tires pressure is fine. Happened once and I reset it after about 10 min it came on again. Took it to the dealer, said it had to do with the warm spring weather, also said it was happening to many other owners. So I just reset it again. This was about a week ago. Light just came on again. Checked my tires, no pressure loose, so reset it again. Just wondering if this is a common occurence.Does anyone know how the system works?

[ColonelPanic]

I do believe (I don't have it, but there are good explanations from others who do have around here) that It gets input from each wheel's ABS sensor and monitors for changes in rotation. If one wheel is rotating differently than the other three, it assumes there may be a pressure loss... Or, I guess if all four go low to the same level, it wouldn't know anything was wrong. I recall my sister having big problems with this on her Impala after she drove through a construction zone and got tar and rocks caked up inside one of her wheels... The tire pressure was fine all the way around but the added weight on that one wheel was enough to trigger the warning. That may be something to look for, I dunno.

[GMJAP]

I don't buy the "warm weather" story. I've never had an issue like that.The system works using the ABS brake wheel speed sensors. As a tire's pressure changes, it affects the diameter of the tire and thus its rotational speed. When the system is reset & recalibrated, it records the relative speeds of all the tires. If one becomes low, its speed relative to the others changes and it pops a warning.Make sure you are completely resetting it per the sequence in the owner's manual, and not just pressing the button to clear the light. Also make sure you reset the system any time you get your tires rotated, put air in, or get new tires.

[Digger]

No problems here. I would say you have a problem with one of your ABS sensors being dirty or not working .

[ToolGuy]

Sounds like one sensor is bad or faulty. On some cars it reads each sensor and the one bad will not give a reading, so you know that one is bad. And no, not buying the warm air theory! Total BS! I store my car all winter and when I fire it back up in spring all read just fine. I have replaced two in the past, the batteries just die after awhile.Make sure your valve stem cores are tight. Some losses can be seen through them if they are not. The dealer will have to figure which one is bad for you. They have tools to do that, I know they do because we sold them to all GM dealers!

[engineertwin2]

The owner's manual states "The [Tire Pressure Monitor] sytem completes the reset (initialization) process after driving at vehicle speeds of at least 19 mph (30 km/h) to 62 mph (100 km/h) for more than one hour.Conditions that may cause system to alarm:-The tires are made by a different mamufacturer or differ in tread pattern than OEM tires-Rapid acceleration/deceleration or multiple consecutive sharp turns-The vehicle is loaded over the limit or improperly balanced-The initialization procedure was not performed correctly after replacing or rotating tires or wheels- The outside temperature is below 32F or higher than 104F"So they may be referring to not resetting properly after switching from winter wheels/tires. But it isn't a temperature related item per their own literature.It seems ludacris to expect someone to drive for between 19 and 62 mph an hour before the system properly resets. It is kinda vague too...is it an hour of consistently above 19 and less than 62? Is it cumulative time or trip time? Seems rather stupid...

[GMJAP]

Quote, originally posted by engineertwin2 »It seems ludacris to expect someone to drive for between 19 and 62 mph an hour before the system properly resets. It is kinda vague too...is it an hour of consistently above 19 and less than 62? Is it cumulative time or trip time?It is cumulative time.

[FSPY Swim]

Quote, originally posted by engineertwin2 »The owner's manual states Conditions that may cause system to alarm:- The outside temperature is below 32F or higher than 104FJust wanted to thank everyone here for such a great forum, full of information, got a Vibe in January and every question I've had has been answered using the search function. My tire pressure light came on today, thought it was odd, but the fact that it hit a low of 12 degrees had something to do with it I suspect. Sure enough I found a thread outlining it clearly for me.Just wanted to say hey, and thanks to everyone who posts presently and in the past, so much great information on this site.

[micbarric]

Quote, originally posted by FSPY Swim »Just wanted to thank everyone here for such a great forum, full of information, got a Vibe in January and every question I've had has been answered using the search function. My tire pressure light came on today, thought it was odd, but the fact that it hit a low of 12 degrees had something to do with it I suspect. Sure enough I found a thread outlining it clearly for me.Just wanted to say hey, and thanks to everyone who posts presently and in the past, so much great information on this site.Let me be the first to... you to GenVibe!!

[ehoff121]

Quote, originally posted by FSPY Swim »My tire pressure light came on today, thought it was odd, but the fact that it hit a low of 12 degrees had something to do with it I suspect. Sure enough I found a thread outlining it clearly for me.Just be sure to follow the reset procedure in your owner's manual, otherwise it will be lighting up again soon.

[Renthorin]

Just a quick question but if you do not have ABS on the car do you still have ABS sensors???

[NibCrom]

Quote, originally posted by Renthorin »Just a quick question but if you do not have ABS on the car do you still have ABS sensors???I guess this is kind of a follow up question. I know my car doesn't have ABS. Is the tire pressure monitor an option as well, or does it come standard?

[Renthorin]

Standard on 08

[zionzr2]

The TPMS was Standard from either 05 or 06 on.The government mandates a TPMS in all vehilces starting in 07 i think it was.

[Ol' Timer]

Quote, originally posted by zionzr2 »The TPMS was Standard from either 05 or 06 on.The government mandates a TPMS in all vehicles starting in 07 i think it was.The TPMS was standard on the 05 & 06 GT and AWD only. It was optional on the Base model. It was optional on the 07 Base and standard on the 08. I believe it is required that ALL cars have a TPMS standard on all 2008 vehicles.BTW...this system REALLY WORKS!!! On my way home from New York City late last night. the TPMS Warning Light came on while I was driving up the FDR Drive on my way home to NJ. I was hoping that I was not losing air too quickly so I wouldn't have to change a tire at 1AM in the morning in some unfamiliar territory. Fortunately I made it home without incident. The tire didn't look low until I saw it this morning when it was, indeed, on its way down. I put the spare on, and found a screw embedded in the Snow Tire. I went to Costco, where I purchased the tires, and they repaired the tire, no charge (Gotta love Costco). But to get back to the point, TPMS will give you a warning that something may be wrong with one of your tires.

[zionzr2]

The goverment mandate occording to a brochere at a Firestone location said the mandate goes into effect September of 2007 which would typically mean 2008 models and newer. Sorry for the confusion.Typically the TPMS are designed to turn on at a 25% drop in pressure.Warm weather does not cause the lights to go on warm weather does not cause a drop in pressure Cold weather does! A Cold morning could cause the light to come on and then go off later as the tire heats through the day or through driving. Always check the pressure when cold. Heat is a tires enemy. Underinflation causes more internal friction and heat in the tire leading to tire failure. For further TPMS information:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T...ystem or http://www.safercar.gov/tpms.htm