Tire Monitoring System: Description and Operation

Tire Pressure Monitor Description and Operation
The Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system allows the driver to display the tire pressure in all four tires on the Driver Information Center (DIC), while the vehicle is being driven. The system consists of four sensors inside each tire mounted at the base of the valve stems, the Remote Control Door Lock Receiver (RCDLR), and the DIC. When the vehicle is stationary for more than one minute the sensors go into power down, or sleep mode, this minimizes sensor battery consumption. These batteries are not serviceable and require sensor replacement if low. As vehicle speed increases to 1 - 24 km/h (10 - 15 mph), the sensors internal roll switches turn the sensors on and they will each begin to transmit a unique identification code and a radio frequency signal. The RCDLR translates this data into Tire location and tire pressure. The RCDLR sends this data via a class 2 serial data circuit to the DIC where tire pressure is displayed. The TPM system also warns the driver of different tire pressure conditions by one of the following messages displayed on the DIC:
^ TIRE OK
^ TIRE HIGH
^ TIRE LOW
If the TPM system senses a tire pressure above 248 kPa (36 psi), TIRE HIGH, or below 165 kPa (24 psi), TIRE LOW, the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message will appear on the DIC. to clear this message set the tire pressures to the manufacturers specifications. The RCDLR has the ability to detect any malfunctions within the TPM system, any malfunctions detected will cause the RCDLR to display the SERVICE TPM SYSTEM message on the DIC. For additional information on the RCDLR, also known as the Remote Function Actuation (RFA) system refer to Keyless Entry System Description and Operation.