Chevy Service Tire Monitor System

Perhaps most of us, climbing into our cars first thing in the morning and setting out on our daily commute, don't give our vehicles' tires much thought. But the tires on our vehicle, whether an SUV, sports car, or a small city runaround, are the only points of contact our vehicle has with the road surface.

Needless to say, all the comfort, convenience, and performance features on our vehicles mean very little without these four small patches of where the rubber hits the road working optimally.

What does this have to do with the Chevy Service Tire Monitor System?

Well, continue reading as we cover more about the Chevy Service Tire Monitor System meaning, just one of the many safety features in your Chevy that help ensure your continued safe travels.

What Is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System?

As mentioned, the Chevy Service Tire Monitor System (TPMS) is part of the extensive list of safety features found in modern Chevrolet models.

Correct tire pressures are essential for your Chevy's tires to provide optimal grip, fuel efficiency, and safe handling.

The system continually monitors your vehicle's tire pressures while you drive and alerts the driver when the pressure in any of the four tires drops below the safe operating tire pressures for your particular model.

How the System Works

The system is actually pretty simple in its working. The Chevy TPMS uses what are called direct tire pressure monitoring sensors in the wheels that are typically incorporated into the tire valve stem to measure both internal pressures and temperatures.

The data that is collected is transmitted wirelessly to a receiver in your Chevy's electronics and computer. Tire pressure and temperature information is then displayed on the driver's instrument cluster or dashboard infotainment screen.

Warning Light Indicators

The system makes use of warning light indicators that will illuminate if it detects any tire pressure dropping significantly below the recommended pressure levels. The system may also display a warning with specific pressure readings on the infotainment screen.

Low Tire Pressure Warning

The low tire pressure warning on your Chevy can either be a symbol in your instrument cluster in the shape of a vehicle tire cross-section with an exclamation mark that lights up in orange, or it can be in the form of a message on the driver information center of the instrument cluster.

System Malfunction Warning

Any malfunction of the TPMS will cause a "Service Tire Monitor System" warning to appear on the driver information display. This warning indicates that the Chevy TPMS itself is faulty and not just low tire pressure.

The warning will often flash for around 60 to 90 seconds, then remain solid to signal a problem with a wheel sensor or any other part of the TPMS.

Recommended Tire Pressure Levels

Chevrolet vehicles typically have a recommended tire pressure of between 30 and 35 PSI for most of their passenger car models and SUVs. Some newer Chevy models, like their electric models, run at slightly higher pressures of between 36 and 38 PSI to aid fuel efficiency.

Heavy-duty pickup trucks like the Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD will require significantly higher tire pressures than light-duty trucks, typically ranging from 60 to 80 PSI, depending on the load and specific model.

Higher pressure in the rear tires up to 80 PSI for some 3500 HD models is commonly used when lugging heavy cargo loads and towing.

Owners should note that the recommended tire pressure does vary by model, year, and load.

Drivers are always encouraged to check the placard located on the driver's side door jamb or in their particular model's owner's manual for the exact tire pressure requirements.

Common Causes of Warning Lights

Let's share some common causes for the Chevy Service Tire Monitor system warning lights to illuminate.

Temperature Changes

The air pressure in your Chevy's tire will drop when it is cold and increase when it is hot.
In areas that experience significant temperature swings, the drop in temperature overnight can easily cause tire pressures to fall below the recommended level and temporarily trigger the warning light.

Tire Damage or Wear

The most common cause of the TPMS warning light coming on is air loss over time. This loss of air may be a result of a damaged tire. A small puncture will create a slow leak, or even damage to the side walls of your tire will allow air to escape.

A leaking tire valve stem can also allow tire pressure to drop, resulting in a warning light.

Your car's tire naturally loses about one PSI of air per month as air escapes through the rubber. Older, worn-out tires can experience greater air loss as the rubber perishes.

Recent Tire Rotation or Replacement

Often, these sensitive sensors get damaged when tires are replaced, and technicians are not careful.

Tire rotation will cause the individual sensors to be muddled up as tires are placed on different corners of your vehicle. After tire rotation or tire replacement, the TPMS needs to "relearn" the location of each pressure sensor. If this reset procedure is skipped or not performed correctly, the warning light may start to flash.

How to Get Rid of the Service Tire Monitor System Light?

To get rid of the Chevy TPMS warning light, owners should first ensure all tires are correctly inflated before performing a manual reset by holding the TPMS button, usually located under the dashboard, until the warning light blinks three times.

If, after driving your Chevy for around 10 to 20 minutes, the light stays on or flashes, then it's likely that a faulty sensor is the issue, which requires professional diagnosis.

How Do You Perform a Chevy Tire Monitor System Reset?

To reset your Chevy Tire Monitor System, as shared above, ensure that all four tires are at the correct pressures, then use the Driver Information Center (DIC) to initiate the "Tire Learn" mode.

This often involves holding the Set/Reset or menu button along with following a sequence of deflating/inflating of each tire until the horn chirps, confirming the sensor has been learned. A double chirp is given after the last tire has been reset.

Professional Service Options

Oftentimes, our busy schedules don't allow us the time to inspect our vehicles ourselves.

Making use of professional services like Colonial Chevrolet's certified service center in New London, CT, means that your Chevrolet gets the best treatment from our certified service experts, who are trained to know every inch of your Chevy along with the right diagnostic tools.

Tire Inspection and Adjustment

Keeping your Chevy's tires in optimal condition is paramount to your continued safe travels.

Regular tire inspections include:

• Tread depth checks
• Tire pressures
• Checking for damage
• Tire balancing and rotation

Sensor Replacement

The replacement of a faulty sensor is best left to the trained technicians at Colonial Chevrolet, as it involves the removal of the wheel and tire to gain access to the sensor behind the valve stem and replacing it with the correct replacement part.

System Diagnostics

Your Chevrolet Certified Service Center has the correct system diagnostic tools to do any TPMS repairs correctly and according to OEM requirements, saving you both valuable time and, of course, money.

Maintaining Your TPMS

The TPMS in your Chevy requires regular pressure checks with a gauge to keep tires inflated to your vehicle's particular specifications.

Owners need to be aware that the sensors are integrated units with non-replaceable batteries that last 7 to 10 years and then need full replacement. It's best to replace all at once and perform a system reset.

Seasonal Tire Care Tips

Along with caring for the TPMS, your Chevy's tires will benefit from seasonal care that involves cleaning, inspecting, and proper storage in the case of off-season tires. Storing your off-season tires in cool, dark, and dry conditions, along with regular checks of pressures, will help extend tire life.

Winter can be particularly rough on tires, so regular pressure checks, tread inspection, rotation, and alignment are necessary. Cleaning of winter grime, including salt, will help protect your tires from increased wear and tear.

Always be sure to switch to seasonal tires when the temperatures and road conditions change between seasons.

Is It Safe to Drive With a Service Tire Monitor System on a Chevy?

It is considered unsafe to drive with the TPMS warnings on, as the system is alerting you to unsafe tire pressures that can put you at risk of loss of control of your vehicle and possible injury.

It is highly recommended to have your Chevy TPMS checked out as soon as the warning light comes on.

Get Your TPMS Serviced at Colonial Chevrolet

At Colonial Chevrolet in New London, CT, the team of Certified Service experts knows exactly the right TPMS service requirements of your Chevrolet car, truck, or SUV. We'll also let you know about the Chevy Service Tire Monitor System meaning.

Our Chevrolet Certified Service experts have been trained to know every inch of your Chevy to help you keep it running safely, along with the performance you've come to expect of a vehicle proudly wearing the gold bowtie badge.