Chevrolet Equinox Service Manual: Tire Pressure Monitor Operation Wheels

This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). The TPMS is designedto warn the driver when a low tire pressure condition exists. TPMS sensors are mountedonto each tire and wheel assembly, excluding the spare tire and wheel assembly. TheTPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in the tires and transmits the tire pressurereadings to a receiver located in the vehicle.

When a low tire pressure condition is detected, the TPMS illuminates the low tirepressure warning light located on the instrument cluster. If the warning light comeson, stop as soon as possible and inflate the tires to the recommended pressure shownon the tire loading information label. SeeVehicle Load Limits.

A message to check the pressure in a specific tire displays in the Driver InformationCenter (DIC). The low tire pressure warning light and the DIC warning message comeon 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 anddetails about the DIC operation and displays seeDriver Information Center (DIC).

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

A Tire and Loading Information label shows the size of the original equipment tiresand the correct inflation pressure for the tires when they are cold. SeeVehicle Load Limits, for an example of the Tire and Loading Information label and its location. AlsoseeTire Pressure.

The TPMS can warn about a low tire pressure condition but it does not replace normaltire maintenance. SeeTire Inspection,Tire RotationandTires.

Caution:Tire sealant materials are not all the same. A non-approved tire sealant could damagethe TPMS sensors. TPMS sensor damage caused by using an incorrect tire sealant isnot covered by the vehicle warranty. Always use only the GM approved tire sealantavailable through your dealer or included in the vehicle.

TPMS Malfunction Light and Message

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

One of the road tires has been replaced with the spare tire. The spare tire does nothave a TPMS sensor. The malfunction light and DIC message should go off after theroad 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 afterrotating the tires. The malfunction light and the DIC message should go off aftersuccessfully completing the sensor matching process. See "TPMS Sensor Matching Process"later in this sectionOne or more TPMS sensors are missing or damaged. The DIC message and the TPMS malfunctionlight should go off when the TPMS sensors are installed and the sensor matching processis performed successfully. See your dealer for service.Replacement tires or wheels do not match the original equipment tires or wheels. Tiresand wheels other than those recommended could prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.SeeBuying New Tires.Operating electronic devices or being near facilities using radio wave frequenciessimilar 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 condition.See your dealer for service if the TPMS malfunction light and DIC message comes onand stays on.

TPMS Sensor Matching Process

Each TPMS sensor has a unique identification code. The identification code needs tobe matched to a new tire/wheel position after rotating the tires or replacing oneor more of the TPMS sensors. The TPMS sensor matching process should also be performedafter replacing a spare tire with a road tire containing the TPMS sensor. The malfunctionlight and the DIC message should go off at the next ignition cycle. The sensors arematched tothe tire/wheel positions, using a TPMS relearn tool, in the following order: driverside front tire, passenger side front tire, passenger side rear tire, and driver siderear. See your dealer for service or to purchase a relearn tool.

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

The TPMS sensor matching process is:

Set the parking brake.Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off.Use the MENU button to select the Vehicle Information Menu in the Driver InformationCenter (DIC). Use the arrow keys to scroll to the Tire Pressure screen.Press the SET/CLR button to begin the sensor matching process.

A message requesting acceptance of the process should display.

Press the SET/CLR button again to confirm the selection.

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

Start with the driver side front tire.Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve stem. Then pressthe button to activate the TPMS sensor. A horn chirp confirms that the sensor identificationcode has been matched to this tire and wheel position.Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 7.Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 7.Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 7. The hornsounds two times to indicate the sensor identification code has been matched to thedriver side rear tire, and the TPMS sensor matching process is no longer active. TheTIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message on the DIC display screen goes off.Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure level as indicated on the Tireand Loading Information label.