GMC Terrain Quiz
Vehicle Care

Tire Pressure Monitor Operation

In this manual: Vehicle Care
Introduction — 1In Brief — 46Keys, Doors and Windows — 37Seats and Restraints — 60Storage — 6Instruments and Controls — 58Lighting — 16Infotainment System — 1Climate Control — 8Driving and Operation — 128Vehicle Care — 75Service and Maintenance — 8Technical Data — 5Customer Information — 18OnStar — 6Connected Services — 4
16steps
~101min
5/5difficulty
1special tools
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This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). The TPMS is designed to warn the driver when a low tire pressure condition exists. TPMS sensors are installed on each tire and wheel assembly, except the spare tire and wheel assembly. The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in the tires and transmit tire pressure readings to a receiver located in the vehicle.

GMC Terrain. Tire Pressure Monitor Operation

When a low tire pressure condition is detected, the TPMS low tire pressure warning light on the instrument cluster illuminates. If the warning light comes on, stop as soon as possible and inflate the tires to the recommended pressure shown on the Tire and Loading Information label. See Vehicle Load Limits.

A tire pressure check message for a specific tire is displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC). The low tire pressure warning light and a DIC warning message appear every ignition cycle until the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. Using the DIC, tire pressure levels can be viewed. For additional information and details on DIC operation and displays, see Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base and Middle Level) or Driver Information Center (DIC) (Upper Level).

The low tire pressure warning light may illuminate in cold weather when the vehicle is first started, and then turn off while driving. This may be an early sign that air pressure is dropping and the tires need to be inflated to the proper pressure.

Tire and Loading Information label attached to your vehicle shows the original equipment tire size and the correct tire pressure when the tires are cold. See Vehicle Load Limits, Tire and Loading Information Label and its location. Also see Tire Pressure.

The TPMS may warn of a low tire pressure condition, but it does not replace regular tire maintenance. See Tire Inspection, Tire Rotation, and Tires.

Factory-installed tire inflator kits use liquid tire sealant approved by GM. Use of non-approved tire sealants may damage the TPMS sensors. See Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit 0 347 for inflator kit information, materials, and instructions.

TPMS Malfunction Indicator and Message

The TPMS will not function properly if one or more TPMS sensors are missing or inoperable. When the system detects a malfunction, the low tire pressure warning light flashes for about one minute and then remains on until the end of the ignition cycle. The DIC warning message also appears. The malfunction indicator and the DIC warning message appear each time the ignition is turned on, until the problem is corrected. Some conditions that may cause this to occur are:

  • One of the road tires was replaced with the spare tire. The spare tire does not have a TPMS sensor. The malfunction indicator and the DIC message should go off after the road tire is replaced and the sensor matching process is completed successfully. See TPMS Sensor Matching Process later in this section.
  • The TPMS sensor matching process was not performed or was not completed successfully after rotating the tires. The malfunction indicator and the DIC message should go off after the sensor matching process is successfully completed. See TPMS Sensor Matching Process later in this section.
  • One or more TPMS sensors are missing or damaged. The malfunction indicator and the DIC message should go off when the TPMS sensors are installed and the sensor matching process is completed successfully. See your dealer for service.
  • Replacement tires or wheels do not match the original equipment tires or wheels. Tires and wheels other than those recommended may prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. See Buying New Tires.
  • Operating electronic devices or being near objects that use radio frequency waves similar to the TPMS may cause the TPMS sensors to fail.

If the TPMS is not functioning properly, it cannot detect or signal a low tire pressure condition. See your dealer for service if the TPMS malfunction indicator and the DIC message come on and stay on.

This feature provides visual and audible alerts outside the vehicle to assist when inflating an under-inflated tire to the recommended cold tire pressure.

When the low tire pressure warning light comes on:

  1. Park the vehicle on a safe, level surface.
  2. Fully apply the parking brake.
  3. Place the vehicle in P (Park).
  4. Add air to the under-inflated tire. The turn signal lamp will flash.

    When the recommended pressure is reached, the horn sounds once and the turn signal lamp stops flashing and stays on briefly.

Repeat these steps for all under-inflated tires that turned on the low tire pressure warning light.

If the tire is inflated more than 35 kPa (5 psi), the horn sounds several times and the turn signal lamp will continue to flash for a few seconds after inflation stops.

To reset and adjust the pressure while the turn signal lamp is still flashing, briefly press the center of the valve stem. When the recommended pressure is reached, the horn sounds once.

If the turn signal lamp does not flash within 15 seconds after you begin inflating the tire, the tire inflation alert is not activated or is not working.

If the hazard warning flashers are on, the visual feedback of the tire inflation alert will not work properly.

The TPMS does not activate the tire inflation alert properly under the following conditions:

  • There is interference from an external device or transmitter.
  • The air pressure from the inflation device is not sufficient to inflate the tire.
  • There is a malfunction in the TPMS.
  • There is a malfunction in the horn or turn signals.
  • The identification code of the TPMS sensor is not registered in the system.
  • The TPMS sensor battery is low.

If the tire inflation alert does not work due to TPMS interference, move the vehicle about 1 m (3 ft) backward or forward and try again. If the tire inflation alert function does not work, use a tire pressure gauge.

TPMS Sensor Matching Process

Each TPMS sensor has a unique identification code. The sensor identification code must be matched to the new tire/wheel position after the vehicle tires are rotated or when one or more TPMS sensors are replaced. The TPMS sensor matching process must also be performed after replacing a tire with a TPMS sensor with the spare tire. The malfunction indicator and DIC message should turn off at the next ignition cycle. Match the sensors to the tire/wheel positions using the TPMS relearn tool in the following order: driver side front wheel, passenger side front wheel, passenger side rear wheel, and driver side rear tire. Contact your dealer for service or purchase a relearn tool. SDM relearn tools are also available. See Tire Pressure Monitor Activation Tool at www.gmtoolsandequipment.com or call 1-800-GM TOOLS (1-800-468-6657).

You have two minutes to match the first tire/wheel position and a total of five minutes to match all four tire/wheel positions. If this takes longer, the matching process stops and must be restarted.

TPMS Sensor Matching Process:

  1. Apply the parking brake.
  2. Place the vehicle in Service Mode. Refer to Ignition Positions.
  3. Make sure the tire pressure information page option is turned on. Information pages on the DIC can be turned on and off through the Settings menu.

    See Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base and Middle Level) or Driver Information Center (DIC) (Top Level).

  4. Use the DIC controls on the right side of the steering wheel to scroll to the tire pressure screen under the engine information page.
  5. Press and holdGMC Terrain. Tire Pressure Monitor OperationPress and hold the center of the DIC controls. The horn sounds twice to signal that the receiver is in relearn mode and the TIRE LEARN ACTIVE message appears on the DIC display.
  6. Start with the driver side front tire.
  7. Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve stem base. Then press the button to activate the TPMS sensor. The horn sound confirms that the sensor identification code has been matched to this tire and wheel position.
  8. Move to the passenger side front tire and repeat the procedure in step 7.
  9. Move to the passenger side rear tire and repeat the procedure in step 7.
  10. Move to the driver side rear tire and repeat the procedure in step 7. 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 LEARN ACTIVE message on the DIC display turns off.
  11. Turn off the vehicle.
  12. Inflate all four tires to the recommended air pressure level specified on the tire and loading information label.

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