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TPMS sensor matching

15155 Views 41 Replies 26 Participants Last post by  MyShibbyEco
When using the TPMS sensor matching process can letting air out of the tire at the proper time instead of using the relearn tool work. This method is used by my Malibu but the Cruze manual only says to use the relearn tool.
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...from page 10-52 Vehicle Care of the "Cruze Owners Manual":

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
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. 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 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. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with
the engine off.
3. Use the MENU button to select
the Vehicle Information menu
in the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
4. Use the thumbwheel to scroll to
the Tire Pressure menu item
screen.
5. Press the SET/CLR button to
begin the sensor matching
process.
A message requesting
acceptance of the process
should display.
6. 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.
7. Start with the driver side
front tire.
8. 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.
9. Proceed to the passenger
side front tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 8.
10. Proceed to the passenger
side rear tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 8.
11. Proceed to the driver side rear
tire, and repeat the procedure
in Step 8. 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 screen goes off.
12. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
13. Set all four tires to the
recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.



...or, simply take your car to a "nice" tireshop and ask them to use one of their "magic" tools to do the samething in a fraction of the time.
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My question on the subject is can you let air out of the tire instead of using the relearn tool. On the Malibu they state in the owners manual letting air out of the tire or using the relearn tool works. The Malibu manual states you can activate the tire sensor by increasing or decreasing the tire pressure for about eight seconds.
My question on the subject is can you let air out of the tire instead of using the relearn tool. On the Malibu they state in the owners manual letting air out of the tire or using the relearn tool works. The Malibu manual states you can activate the tire sensor by increasing or decreasing the tire pressure for about eight seconds.
You absolutely can use the pressure change method to re-learn the TPMS sensors.
fortunately, or unfortunately, our LS has only regular valve stems.
I tried the relearn process by inflating and letting air out but it refused to learn all four so I had to take it to the dealer
Tire Rotation

You absolutely can use the pressure change method to re-learn the TPMS sensors.
I will try this method of deflating the tire when I rotate.
I hope it works. This sucks to have to take back to the dealer for rotation.

Is there an aftermarket tool out there for purchase?

Do you rotate tire & then deflate? I assume for each tire.
The aftermarket tools I've seen have been around $250.
Not sure why Chevy went with this new system.
I like tpms but this is a rip-off.
I will try this method of deflating the tire when I rotate.
I hope it works. This sucks to have to take back to the dealer for rotation.

Is there an aftermarket tool out there for purchase?

Do you rotate tire & then deflate? I assume for each tire.
Yes, get them into their final position, then do the re-learn process. You have to inflate/deflate the tires in the proper order for it to work correctly. Some times you have to sit there lettign the air out a little longer than youd expect, but it does work.
Yes, get them into their final position, then do the re-learn process. You have to inflate/deflate the tires in the proper order for it to work correctly. Some times you have to sit there lettign the air out a little longer than youd expect, but it does work.
This, just had to redo mine using the deflating method -- was pissing off the neighbors with all the honking, but worked just fine -- I find you end up letting out quite a bit of air ~5-10psi, but it's also kind of dependent on how quickly the system refreshes so some tires it was really quick, others it took awhile. I think the manual says up to 30 seconds.
Ok , so during the TPMS re-learn procedure it says place the re-learn tool next to the valve stem, I should instead deflate about 10 lbs then refill with air?
If this works thanks for the info.
Thanks for the info. I will try this method. Hate to buy a $250.00 tool just to rotate.
Thanks for the info. I will try this method. Hate to buy a $250.00 tool just to rotate.
Follow what is in the manual, it specifically states this is an alternative to the tool and works just fine.
There is an ongoing thread in the General forum about this, so I am cross-posting this here as an FYI. The current manual online only mentions using a relearn tool, but the earlier manual offered the alternative method.


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Bumping this for those installing winter tires with TPMS sensors.

The procedure worked as advertised on my 2012. The winter wheels with their new TPMS sensors were learned correctly by following the procedure outlined in the first post.
Just finished rotating my wheels/tires and completed the rematch with the instructions in the owners manual and deflating the tires. Worked like a charm on my 11 Eco. I pumped the tires up to about 45 then deflated slowly. after hearing the 2 horn heaps I adjusted to the factory recommended 35. What did we do before forum's?

thanks
John
+1 Just did mine too. Outside of the horn startling the crap out of me when I was doing the first wheel, it went perfectly.
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So I just rotated the tires for the first time on my '12 LT. Once I was done i put the car in relearn mode and slowly let air out of the driver side front tire. Never heard the horn beep. The pressure got down to 20 psi! I over inflated the tire back to 41 and started the process again.... still no horn beep! I literally tried 5 times then said piss on it. Anyone else absolutely not been able to get this to work by slowly letting air out?
...here's prior posting about a lower cost ($62) alternative TPMS tool:

http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/12-w...pms-new-tool-only-62-manual-relearn-gone.html
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just put new wheels on car yesterday with new sensors, Put the system in relearn mode horn honked 2 times,Had the tires at 40 psi.Started on the driver front started letting air out, took to about 30 psi then horn would honk worked fine on my car
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