File in Section:
Bulletin No.:

Service Bulletin

Date:

03 - Suspension
09-03-16-002B
May, 2013

INFORMATION
Subject:

Dealership Service Consultant Procedure as Vehicle Comes into Service Drive for Tire
Pressure Monitor (TPM) System Message, Light and Customer Information

Models:

2006-2014 GM Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks

Attention: The information found in this bulletin is to be used as a dealership service consultant
procedure for customers coming into the service lane with an illuminated “low tire
light” or comments on a check tire pressure/low tire pressure/add air to tire or service
tire monitor system message. Maintaining proper tire pressures is an Owner’s
Maintenance item and is not covered under warranty.
This bulletin is being revised to add model years, add the current Global Labor Time
Code and update the tool reference information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin
Number 09-03-16-002A (Section 03 – Suspension).

Customer Concerns and Confusion
with the Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM)
System

•

The following procedure should be used by dealership
service consultants when a customer comes into the
service drive with a “low tire light” on or comments on a
check tire pressure/low tire pressure/add air to tire or
service tire monitor system message. The service
consultant should perform the following steps:
Procedure
Turn the key to ON, without starting the engine.
• If the low tire light comes on and stays on solid
with a check tire pressure/low tire pressure/add air
to tire message (on vehicles equipped with DIC),
advise the customer:
– The system is working properly.
– Properly adjusting all tire air pressures to the
recommended levels and driving the vehicle will
turn the light off (refer to the Tire and Loading
Information label on the driver side door).
– More detailed information can be found in the
Owner Manual.
– Service is not covered under warranty – this
maintenance is the responsibility of the owner.
– Give the customer a copy of the attached “GM
Customer TPMS Information.”

Copyright 2013 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

•

If the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) light blinks for
one minute then stays on solid with a service tire
monitor system message (on vehicles equipped
with DIC):
– A TPM system problem exists. The vehicle
should be written up accordingly and sent to
your service department for further DTC
diagnosis and service.
– If dashes (–) are displayed in only one or two of
the tire pressure readouts, it is likely caused by
a previous TPM system relearn that was
performed incorrectly due to interference from
another vehicle’s TPM system during the relearn
process (refer to the Important statement later in
this bulletin regarding TPM relearn with a
scan tool).
– If dashes (–) are displayed in all four of the tire
pressure readouts, there is a system problem.
Follow the appropriate SI service procedures.
If a customer indicates the low tire light comes on
for a few minutes when the vehicle is started, then
goes off after driving a while, advise the customer:
– The system is working properly.
– Most likely, air pressure in one or more of the
tires is low enough to turn the light on when tires
are cold. After driving for a while, tires will heat
up, allowing tire air pressure to increase above
the threshold causing the light to go off. Properly
adjusting all tire air pressures to the
recommended levels will correct this (Refer to
the Tire and Loading Information Label on the
driver side door).

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May, 2013

– More detailed information can be found in the
Owner Manual.
– Service is not covered under warranty – this
maintenance is the responsibility of the owner.
– Give the customer a copy of the attached “GM
Customer TPMS Information.”
For more detailed information, refer to the latest version
of Corporate Bulletin Number 07-03-16-004 and TPMS
Training Course 13044.20 GM Chassis Control
Systems.

Bulletin No.: 09-03-16-002B
Blinking TPM Indicator

Tire Pressure Light
At key on, without starting the vehicle:

Steady Solid Glowing TPM Indicator

2268055

If the TPM indicator appears as a BLINKING yellow
lamp for one minute and then stays on solid, diagnostic
service is needed.

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If the TPM indicator appears as a steady glowing yellow
lamp (as above), the system is functioning properly and
you should add air to the tires to correct this condition.

The Effect of Outside Temperature on Tire
Pressures
Important: As a rule of thumb, tire pressure will
change about 7 kPa (1 psi) for every 6°C (10°F)
decrease or increase in temperature – Tire pressure
will drop when it gets colder outside, and rise when it
gets warmer.
Under certain situations such as extreme outside
temperature changes, the system may bring on a solid
light with a check tire pressure message. This should
be considered normal and the system is working
properly. The light will turn off upon adding the proper
amount of air to the tires (refer to the Tire & Loading
Information label in the driver’s door opening). When
properly adjusting tire air pressure, the following steps
are important to help optimize the system and prolong
bringing a tire pressure light on:
• Use an accurate, high quality tire pressure gauge.
• Never set the tire pressure below the specified
placard value regardless of tire temperature or
ambient temperature.
• Tire pressure should be set to the specified
placard pressure at the lowest seasonal
temperature the vehicle will encounter during
operation.
• When adding proper tire air pressure, it is
important to remember fluctuations in outside air
temperatures and tire temperatures effect tire air
pressures.

Bulletin No.: 09-03-16-002B
•

May, 2013

After you have added the proper tire pressure, if
the vehicle has a DIC (after the system has
updated), check to see if DIC displays are the
same readings as the tire pressure gauge used
(adjust as necessary).
• Only perform a TPM sensor re-learn after a tire
rotation or system part replacements and use the
scan tool to initiate the relearn whenever possible
to avoid invalid sensor I.D. learns.
Important: Always take outside temperature and tire
temperature into consideration to properly set tire
pressures. For example, on colder days (20°F/-7°C), if
setting the tire pressure when the vehicle has been
indoors (60°F/16°C) or the tires are warm from being
driven, it will be necessary to compensate for the low
outside temperature by adding 21-27 kPa (3-4 psi)
more than the placard pressure. At some later time,
when the vehicle has been parked outside for a while,
the tires will cool off and the pressures will drop back
into the placard range.
Important: Recently, nitrogen gas (for use in inflating
tires) has become available to the general consumer
through some retailers. The use of nitrogen gas to
inflate tires is a technology used in automobile racing.
Tires inflated with nitrogen gas may exhibit less of a
pressure change in response to outside temperature
changes. Nitrogen gas inflation is compatible with
GM TPM sensors. For additional information,
refer to the latest version of Corporate Service
Bulletin 05-03-10-020.
Important: All Models (Except the Pontiac Vibe): Do
not perform a TPM relearn at PDI, the system has
already been set at the Assembly Plant. Do not perform
a TPM relearn after adding air to tires. The low tire light
is similar to the low fuel indicator and adding something
(fuel, air) to the vehicle makes that light turn back off
again. Note that because of system behavior, some
vehicles must be driven a short distance before the
sensors recognize the increase in pressure and turns
the light off again.
Pontiac Vibe Only: Do not use the TPMS reset button
to turn off the light. The system will update and light will
turn off when all tire pressures have been adjusted
followed by short distance drive.
Important: All Models (except the Pontiac
Vibe): Each tire monitor sensor is learned to a specific
vehicle corner. When performing a TPM relearn (only
after a tire rotation or replacement of a TPM sensor or
module), use GDS or the Tech 2® scan tool to initiate
the relearn process. Scan tool-initiated relearns lock
out other vehicle TPM signals that may be broadcasting
in the area. Only signals initiated by the J 46079 or
EL-50448 tool will be accepted. This method avoids
storing false TPM I.D.s and will prevent customers from
returning with dashes (–) displayed in tire pressure
readouts and/or a flashing tire pressure monitor (TPM)
light. Checking the four TPM I.D.s with the Tech 2 ® prior
to and following relearn to verify they are the same can
prevent invalid I.D. learns.
Pontiac Vibe Only: Tire Monitor Sensors are not
learned to a specific vehicle corner. Do not perform a
TPM Reset after tire rotation. The TPMS Reset button
must only be used during pre-delivery inspection by the

Page 3

dealer to initialize the system (after all tire pressures
have been adjusted properly) or when a Tire Pressure
Monitor System component is replaced. Neither the
J 46079 nor EL-50448 tool works on Vibe TPM
sensors. A TPMS relearn on Vibe must be performed
with a Tech 2® to set the TPMS Module in learn mode.
The TPMS sensor IDs are entered through the
Tech 2®. Refer to SI for further Vibe TPMS information.

Labor Operation and Repair Order/
Warranty System Claim Required
Documentation
Important: The ONLY time labor operation 8050079
should be used is to diagnose for a system issue. That
should ONLY occur if, at key ON, without starting the
engine, the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) light blinks for
one minute and then stays on solid with a Service Tire
Monitor System message (on vehicles equipped with a
DIC). If that occurs, a TPM system problem exists and
the system will have set a DTC. If one of these labor
operations is used, the following Repair Order and
Warranty System documentation are required:
• Document the customer complaint on the Repair
Order.
• Document the TPMS DTC that has set on the
Repair Order.
• Enter the TPMS DTC in the Global Warranty
System in the Failure Code/DTC field on the
claim submission.
If the above information is not documented on the
Repair Order and Warranty System, the claim may be
rejected. If the Warranty Parts Center (WPC) generates
a request, this repair order documentation must be
sent back.

Customer TPMS Information
Dear GM Customer:
Customer care is at the top of our priority list at GM.
We value our customers and want to make certain of
a great ownership experience. To assist you in better
understanding your vehicle, please make note of the
following information relative to tire air pressure and the
vehicle system that monitors air pressure performance.
Tire air pressure is a maintenance item in which the
owner is responsible. Your vehicle is equipped with a
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) designed to
provide you with adequate information to maintain
proper tire air pressure. Proper tire air pressure is
important to optimize safety, fuel economy, vehicle
performance, and tire wear.
Changes in weather, including warm or cold outdoor
temperatures, can cause air in your tires to expand or
contract. Should this occur, your vehicle’s TPMS may
give you a low tire signal/alert along with the following
message: Check Tire Pressure/Low Tire Pressure/Add
Air To Tire. As a rule of thumb, tire pressure will change
about 7 kPa (1 psi) for every 6°C (10°F) decrease or
increase in temperature – Tire pressure will drop when
it gets colder outside, and rise when it gets warmer.

Page 4

May, 2013

Bulletin No.: 09-03-16-002B

Your GM Dealer has determined that the TPMS on
your vehicle is working properly. The light will turn
off upon adding the proper amount of air to the tires
(per the Tire & Loading Information label in the
driver’s door opening) followed by driving the
vehicle a short distance. The low tire light is similar
to the low fuel indicator and adding fuel or air to the
vehicle will turn off the light.

Q: What if my tire pressure light comes on and
stays on solid with a Check Tire Pressure/Low Tire
Pressure/Add Air to Tire message?
A: Simply add the proper amount of air to your tires.
Refer to the Tire & Loading Information label in the
driver door opening for the recommended tire
pressures. Once the tires are properly filled with air,
drive the vehicle and the message/light will go off.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Why does my vehicle have a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System?
A: Starting with the 2008 model year, all vehicles sold
in the United States are equipped with tire pressure
monitoring in order to meet the requirements of the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 138 issued by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Some GM vehicles built prior to the 2008 model year or
sold in Canada may also have a tire pressure
monitoring system; check vehicle build option
information to be sure.

Q: How would I know if the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System was not working properly?
A: Each time the vehicle is started, the system’s yellow
light will appear. It will “blink” for one minute, then
remain on solid. Some vehicles may also display the
following message: Service Tire Monitor System. If this
happens, visit a GM dealer for service.
For more information, refer to the Owner Manual or go
to www.CheckMyTires.org.

Q: How does the Tire Pressure Monitoring System
operate?

TPM Indicator Light

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A: The system is designed to monitor tire air pressure
and notify the driver when the tire pressure in any tire
becomes too low. The system will turn on a yellow
lighted graphic. If the air pressure remains low, each
time the vehicle is restarted, the light will reappear,
some vehicles may also display the following
message: Check Tire Pressure/Low Tire Pressure/Add
Air To Tire.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

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