GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). This feature is designed to alert you when the system detects a large change in the pressure of one tire. The system cannot alert you before you drive that a tire is low or flat. You must begin driving before the system works properly. The TPMS works with the brake control system and is designed to detect differences in the tire rotation speeds that are caused by changes in tire pressure. The TPMS does not replace normal tire maintenance, see Tires , Tire Inspection and Rotation and When It Is Time for New Tires .


Object Number: 1198521  Size: A3

This light, on the instrument panel cluster, comes on when the tire pressure monitoring system detects a low-tire condition.

This light also comes on for a few seconds and then go off when you turn the ignition to ON. This indicates that the TPMS is functioning properly. If the low-tire pressure warning light comes on while driving your vehicle, the system may have detected a low-tire condition. You need to stop as soon as possible and check your tires for damage. If a tire is flat, see If a Tire Goes Flat and Changing a Flat Tire . Also check the tire pressure in all four tires, and set them to the specified level shown on the Tire and Loading Information label. See Inflation - Tire Pressure and Loading the Vehicle for additional information.

Note: The tire pressure monitoring system on your vehicle warns you when one of the tires is significantly under-inflated and when some combinations of the tires are significantly under-inflated. However, there are other combinations of significantly under-inflated tires for which the tire pressure monitoring system might not give a warning. These other combinations are relatively common, accounting for approximately half the instances in which vehicles have significantly under-inflated tires. For example, the system might not warn you when both tires on the same side or on the same axle of your vehicle are significantly under-inflated. It is particularly important, therefore, to check the tire pressure in all of the tires regularly and maintain proper pressure.

In order for the tire pressure monitoring system to work properly you need to reset (initialize) the tire pressure monitoring system. Any time you check and/or adjust a tire's pressure, repair or replace a tire or wheel, or rotate the tires the tire pressure monitor system needs to be reset.

Do not reset (initialize) the system without first correcting the cause of the low-tire condition. If the system is reset when the tire pressures are incorrect, the system will not function properly and might not alert you when a tire is low.

To reset (initialize) the system:

  1. Park the vehicle at a safe place and apply the parking brake. Turn the engine off.
  2. Turn the ignition to ON with the engine off.

  3. Object Number: 1455638  Size: A3

    If the low-tire pressure warning light is on, push the SET (reset) button for a few seconds.

  4. The reset button is on the instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel. The low-tire warning light should go off.
  5. Press and hold the SET (reset) button until the low-tire warning light comes on and flashes on/off three times. The tire pressure warning reset button starts the reset (initialization) process.
  6. If the low-tire pressure warning light does not flash while you hold the reset button, the system might be malfunctioning and needs service. See your GM dealer for service.

The system 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. Do not push the SET (reset) button while driving. If you do the initialization process is cancelled. The initialization process can take up to approximately one hour of driving under the following conditions:

    • The vehicle speed is between 31 mph (50 km/h) and 62 mph (100 km/h).
    • The roads are dry, smooth, and straight.
    • The number of passengers is one or two (including the driver).

The low-tire pressure warning light may not come on even if the tire inflation pressure is low, or it could come on when the tire inflation pressure is set correctly under the following circumstances:

    • A compact spare tire, snow tires, or tire chains are installed on your vehicle.
    • The tires are over-inflated, or the tire inflation pressure suddenly drops due to a tire bursting or other causes.
    • The vehicle is driven on a slippery road surface such as rough or frozen roads.
    • The vehicle speed is less than 19 mph (30 km/h), and the driving duration is less than five minutes.
    • The tires are made by a different manufacturer or differ in tread pattern than the original equipment tires.
    • Rapid acceleration/deceleration or multiple consecutive sharp turns.
    • Towing a trailer.
    • The vehicle is loaded over the limit or not balanced properly.
    • The initialization (reset) procedure was not performed correctly after replacing or rotating tires or wheels.
    • The outside temperature is below 32°F (0°C) or above 104°F (40°C).