The tire pressure monitor (TPM) system alerts the driver when a large change
in pressure of one tire exist, while the vehicle is being driven. The TPM system uses
the electronic brake control module (EBCM), ABS wheel speed sensor inputs, class 2
serial data circuit, instrument panel cluster (IPC) message center, and the driver
information center (DIC) to perform the system functions. The EBCM contains the
software to calculate relative tire pressure differences. The software requires
up to 8 km (5 miles) of straight line, smooth road driving in each
of the 4 speed ranges to complete the calibration process in order to have
any capability for detecting a tire pressure condition. The speed ranges are as
follows:
• | 95-120 km/h (59-74.5 mph) |
• | 120-145 km/h (74.5-90 mph) |
Each of the speed ranges have 2 modes of operation:
In calibration mode the TPM system is learning the tire pressure calibrations
and can not detect a low tire pressure condition. In detection mode the TPM system
has learned the tire pressure calibration and can detect a low tire pressure condition.
The EBCM learns the tire pressure calibration for each speed range independently.
Once the TPM system has learned the tire pressure calibration the EBCM monitors
the ABS wheel speed sensor inputs, which will all be the same as the learned calibration
if the tire pressures stay the same. If the pressure increases or decreases in
one tire, so too will that tires circumference, radius, and diameter, which causes
that wheel speed sensor input to change. The EBCM recognizes this change in
wheel speed as a tire pressure condition. If the pressure in one tire becomes
at least 48-69 kPa (7-10 psi) lower or higher than the
other three the EBCM commands the driver information center (DIC) message center
to display. The CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning message via a class 2 serial
data circuit. The system does not alert the driver to which tire is high or low.
The warning messages do not appear in either display if any of the following conditions
are present:
• | More than one tire is high or low. |
• | The system is not fully calibrated. |
• | vehicle speed is above 112 km/h (70 mph). |
To clear the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning message, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor Procedure
.