Tire Pressure Sensor: Description and Operation

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
DESCRIPTION

Some versions of this vehicle are equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) system. It monitors air pressure in the four road tires. Pressure in the spare tire is not monitored.
There is a sensor (transmitter) in each of the vehicle's four road wheels that is built into the valve stem. The system alerts the driver when tire pressure
falls outside predetermined thresholds (pressure too low or too high). A message is then displayed on the Compass Mini Trip Computer (CMTC).

OPERATION
The Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) system uses radio and sensor technology to monitor tire air pressure levels. Sensors, mounted to each road wheel as part of the valve stem, transmit an RF frequency indicating their individual pressure to a receiver
located in the Sentry Key Remote Entry Module (SKREEM). These transmissions occur approximately once every minute at speeds over 13 mph (20 km/h).
The Tire Pressure Monitoring system remains active even if no tire pressure related message is displayed.

SENSOR - TPM
On vehicles equipped with Tire Pressure Monitoring, one tire pressure sensor is mounted to each wheel. Each sensor has an internal battery that lasts up to 10 years. The battery is not serviceable. At the time of battery failure, the sensor must be replaced. The serviceable components of the tire
pressure sensor are:

Sensor-To-Wheel Grommet
Valve Stem Cap
Valve Stem Core

Valve stem caps and cores are specifically designed for the tire pressure monitoring sensors. Although similar to standard valve stem caps and cores, they are different.

CAUTION: Do not use a standard valve stem cap or core in a tire pressure sensor. Always use the original equipment style sensor cap and core.

CAUTION: Do not reuse the Sensor-To Wheel Grommet. Always use a new grommet when installing a pressure sensor and properly torque the sensor nut.

CAUTION: Do not try to install a tire pressure sensor in a steel wheel or aftermarket wheel. Use only in original style factory wheels.

OPERATION
The tire pressure sensors are battery operated. Each sensor transmits tire pressure data approximately once every minute at speeds above 13 mph (20 km/h). Each sensor's (transmitter) broadcast is uniquely coded so that the SKREEM can monitor the states of each individual sensor on the vehicle. Unlike prior model year TPM systems, a magnet is not required to retrain the system. The SKREEM automatically learns while driving after a sensor has been replaced.

CAUTION: The use of tire sealants is strictly prohibited for vehicles equipped with the Tire Pressure Monitoring system. Tire sealants can clog tire pressure sensors.

CAUTION: Tire pressure sensor valve stem caps and cores are specially designed for the sensors. Due to risk of corrosion, do not use a standard valve stem cap or core in a tire pressure sensor in place of the original equipment style sensor cap and core.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to install a tire pressure sensor in a steel wheel or aftermarket wheel. Use tire pressure sensors in original style factory
wheels only.

NOTE: TPM thresholds have been established for the original tire size equipped on the vehicle. Use original size tires only to maintain system accuracy.