Chevrolet Equinox Owners Manual: Tire Pressure Monitor Operation

This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).

The TPMS is designed to warn the driver when a low tire pressure condition exists. TPMS sensors are mounted onto each tire and wheel assembly, excluding the spare tire and wheel assembly. The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in the tires and transmit the tire pressure readings to a receiver located in the vehicle.

When a low tire pressure condition is detected, the TPMS illuminates the low tire pressure warning light located on the instrument cluster.

If the warning light comes on, stop as soon as possible and inflate the tires to the recommended pressure shown on the Tire and Loading Information label. See Vehicle Load Limits.

A message to check the pressure in a specific tire displays in the Driver Information Center (DIC). The low tire pressure warning light and the DIC warning message come on at each ignition cycle until the tires are inflated to the correct inflation pressure. Using the DIC, tire pressure levels can be viewed. For additional information and details about the DIC operation and displays see Driver Information Center (DIC).

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

A Tire and Loading Information label, attached to your vehicle, shows the size of the original equipment tires and the correct inflation pressure for the tires when they are cold. See Vehicle Load Limits, for an example of the Tire and Loading Information label and its location. Also see Tire Pressure.

The TPMS can warn about a low tire pressure condition but it does not replace normal tire maintenance. See Tire Inspection, Tire Rotation and Tires.

Factory-installed Tire Inflator Kits use a GM-approved liquid tire sealant. Using non-approved tire sealants could damage the TPMS sensors. See Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit for information regarding the inflator kit materials and instructions.

TPMS Malfunction Light and Message

The TPMS will not function properly if one or more of the TPMS sensors are missing or inoperable. When the system detects a malfunction, the low tire pressure warning light flashes for about one minute and then stays on for the remainder of the ignition cycle. A DIC warning message also displays. The malfunction light and DIC warning message come on at each ignition cycle until the problem is corrected.

Some of the conditions that can cause these to come on are:

•  One of the road tires has been replaced with the spare tire. The spare tire does not have a TPMS sensor. The malfunction light and DIC message should go off after the road tire is replaced and the sensor matching process is performed successfully. See "TPMS Sensor Matching Process" later in this section.
•  The TPMS sensor matching process was not done or not completed successfully after rotating the tires. The malfunction light and the DIC message should go off after successfully completing the sensor matching process. See "TPMS Sensor Matching Process" later in this section.
•  One or more TPMS sensors are missing or damaged. The malfunction light and the DIC message should go off when the TPMS sensors are installed and the sensor matching process is performed successfully. See your dealer for service.
•  Replacement tires or wheels do not match the original equipment tires or wheels. Tires and wheels other than those recommended could prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. See Buying New Tires.
•  Operating electronic devices or being near facilities using radio wave frequencies similar to the TPMS could cause the TPMS sensors to malfunction.

If the TPMS is not functioning properly it cannot detect or signal a low tire pressure condition. See your dealer for service if the TPMS malfunction light and DIC message comes on and stays on.

Tire Fill Alert (If Equipped)

This feature provides visual and audible alerts outside the vehicle to help when inflating an underinflated tire to the recommended cold tire pressure.

When the low tire pressure warning light comes on:

1.  Park the vehicle in a safe, level place.
2.  Set the parking brake firmly.
3.  Place the shift lever in P (Park).
4.  Add air to the tire that is underinflated. The cornering lamp will flash.

   When the recommended pressure is reached, the horn sounds once and the cornering lamp will stop flashing and briefly turn solid.

Repeat these steps for all underinflated tires.

If the tire is overinflated by more than 35 kPa (5 psi), the horn will sound multiple times and the cornering lamp will continue to flash for eight seconds after filling stops.

To release and correct the pressure, while the corning lamp is still flashing, briefly press the center of the valve stem. When the recommended pressure is reached, the horn sounds once.

If the cornering lamp does not flash within 15 seconds after starting to inflate the tire, the tire fill alert has not been activated or is not working.

If the hazard warning flashers are on, the tire fill alert visual feedback will not work properly.

The TPMS will not activate the tire fill alert properly under the following conditions:

•  There is interference from an external device or transmitter.
•  The air pressure from the inflation device is not sufficient to inflate the tire.
•  There is a malfunction in the TPMS.
•  There is a malfunction in the horn or turn signal lamps.
•  The identification code of the TPMS sensor is not registered to the system.
•  The battery of the TPMS sensor is low.

If the tire fill alert does not operate due to TPMS interference, move the vehicle about 1 m (3 ft) back or forward and try again. If the tire fill alert feature is not working, use a tire pressure gauge.

TPMS Sensor Matching Process

Each TPMS sensor has a unique identification code. The identification code needs to be matched to a new tire/wheel position after rotating the vehicle's tires or replacing one or more of the TPMS sensors. The TPMS sensor matching process should also be performed after replacing a spare tire with a road tire containing the TPMS sensor.

The malfunction light and the DIC message should go off at the next ignition cycle. The sensors are matched to the tire/wheel positions, using a TPMS relearn tool, in the following order: driver side front tire, passenger side front tire, passenger side rear tire, and driver side rear tire. See your dealer for service or to purchase a relearn tool. A TPMS relearn tool can also be purchased.

See Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor Activation Tool at www.gmtoolsandequipment.com or call 1-800-GM TOOLS (1-800-468-6657).

There are two minutes to match the first tire/wheel position, and five minutes overall to match all four tire/wheel positions. If it takes longer, the matching process stops and must be restarted.

The TPMS sensor matching process is:

1.  Set the parking brake.
2.  Place the vehicle in Service Mode. See Ignition Positions.
3.  Make sure the Tire Pressure info page option is turned on.

   The info pages on the DIC can be turned on and off through the Settings menu. See Driver Information Center (DIC).

4. Use the DIC controls on the right side of the steering wheel to scroll to the Tire Pressure screen under the DIC info page.
5. Press and hold in the center of the DIC controls.

   The horn sounds twice to signal the receiver is in relearn mode and the TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message displays on the DIC screen.

6.  Start with the driver side front tire.
7.  Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve stem. Then press the button to activate the TPMS sensor.

   A horn chirp confirms that the sensor identification code has been matched to this tire and wheel position.

8.  Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 7.
9.  Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 7.
10.  Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 7. The horn sounds two times to indicate the sensor identification code has been matched to the driver side rear tire, and the TPMS sensor matching process is no longer active. The TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message on the DIC display goes off.
11.  Turn the vehicle off.
12.  Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure level as indicated on the Tire and Loading Information label.