Tire Pressure Q

[The_Phantom]

I got 22s put on and the dash is giving me the exclamation sign (!) about TPM warning. What is TPM (tire pressure meter?) Well, the picture shows the car and the pressure on all wheels are (--) What does that mean and sometimes it's showing me (28) on the front wheel. How can I turn that exclamation point warning off?

[frank29]

Look at your valve stems. If they are the normal, black rubber ones, your tire pressure sending units were not transferred to the new wheels.

[djjasond]

I'm in the same situation. I ordered my 22's through the web, bolted em on, and now have that tpm warning light going off every ten minutes. Any way to turn this off?

[frank29]

Well guys, I've got an '05 service manual that has info on the TPM system; however, it says nothing about disabling or what not. I ASSume you guys have already gone through all of your EVIC settings?

You might have to call the dealer.....my experience with them on arcane subjects isn't too good; so, good luck, you're probably going to need it.

Another option, while a pain, is to break down the tire/wheel and install the special valves. Here I want the TPM system (it was promised for late editions of the 05 production; but, it never happened) and couldn't get it; while, you guys got it and are not using it. Go figure.

[jjs]

Originally Posted by frank29

Here I want the TPM system (it was promised for late editions of the 05 production; but, it never happened) and couldn't get it; while, you guys got it and are not using it. Go figure.

I KNOW the feeling.

[The_Phantom]

Bump : more info on this matter.

[HEMI4ME?]

So, is the recomendation if you are buying whels/tires for an 06 you may as well get the wheels over the net, then get the tires locally and have them assembled in the shop so the sensors can be installed correctly?

[The_Phantom]

It's been installed correctly but im confused on where the sensor thingy is? Can I take a peek and see it with my own eyes? All tires except the rear right reads a pressure of 28. The rear right one reads (--)

What does this mean? Is it connected right or what

[djjasond]

I have an 06 300c that i just barely took delivery of. I ordered my wheels and tires ahead of time and am now learning about the tire pressure monitoring system (arghhh). After a call to www.tirerack.com and a local dealer. Here's what I was told...

The tire pressure monitors are available to the internet wheel resellers and your local shops. For example, www.tirerack.com can sell you the rims and tires with the monitors, mounted balanced and ready to go. BUT they may ask you to ask your dealer, based upon your vin, what system your car is using. Apparently, dcx is migrating from one brand to another and there is no clear cut way to tell aside from vin and the dealer system. I also checked with a local tire dealer (Les Schwab) and they also knew how to install and apply these but they needed to know from the dealer which system to get based on vin.

www.buywheelstoday.com was just added as a sponsor so I'd like people to support them. Do they have the tire pressure monitors ready to go??

[Buy Wheels Today]

The problem with TPM, Tire Pressure Monitoring, is that every system is different. Even though they are all a small transmiter that relays a signal in the valve stem manufacturers all use different frequencies to transmit the signal. Manufacturers are very paranoid about after market companies getting this information as it is all proprietary and developed at a rather high cost.

A few after market comanies have been trying to build after market units that are programable. These units function much like a programable remote control or garage door opener. Everyone has basically failed to make reliable units that cost less than the OE parts. This being said the OEM parts are the only/best way to go. There is no way that TireRack or anyone will be able to stock all the different units offered by all of the different OEM's.

The Federal Government recently passed legislation waving liablilty of retailers who remove sensors at the instruction of their customers. So if you do pursue this option, and have any issues, you are the only liable party.

If you want to maintain your TPM with after market wheels you have 3 choices:

1) Buy a new set of monitors from your local dealers parts department and send them to your retailer. They can then install the monitors into the after market wheels. You will most likely still have to have the sensors "activated" at the dealer. It shouldn't cost anything and only takes a few minutes. We are not very familiar with this process due to OEM paranoia.(see above).

2) Have your factory wheels broken down and the sensors removed. Send the sensors to your retailer and have them installed. 99% of the time this is a turn-key solution. Dealer programing is almost never a requirement.

WARNING: We do not recomend, or offer, the following option. It does not maintain your TPM functionality, just by passes the system.

3) Buy a small riding lawn mower tire. Put your 4 sensors in the tire and inflate to OEM recomended tire pressure. Place tire under passenger seat or in the trunk of your car. Again, this just fakes the computer into thinking all 4 wheels have the proper amount of air in them. This was the only way in the "early days" to get around the systems. It is much easier in an Escalade/Tahoe/Suburban with the ubundant amounts of room. THIS DOES NOT MAINTAIN YOUR TPM FUNCTIONALITY BUT GETS RID OF THE ANNOYING LIGHT.


The best way to avoid any problems is to not rely on your car to tell you if you have a flat/leaking tire. Every time you get in your car it would be very easy to walk around it and check for anything out of the ordinary. This applies to lots of things other than tires (fuel door, trunk, body damage, headlights). We recomend manually checking your tire pressure every 3-4 fuel fill ups (once a month). Check your oil/fluid levels while your at it.

If you have any questions give us a call.