[Trakker]

When I held the relearn tool near the valve stem on the rim it didn't work. It worked only when the tool was on the tire near the valve stem. Put the antenna part right on the tire sidewall near the valve stem.

 

[NY-Rob]

How easy are these to install on mounted tires? Do you need a bead breaker and a high volume air source to re-seat the tire? I went with the pre-installed because while I have shop air, I didn't feel like partially dismounting and remounting the tire. And if you have to roll the bead off one side to get enough clearance, that would be even more of a pain, plus the potential to alter the balance once the tire is free from the wheel. I figured you could probably shoehorn it in just breaking the bead on one side; but I didn't want to try it myself!

Yeah, you can just break the bead on one side and fit the sensor in.

 

[NY-Rob]

When I held the relearn tool near the valve stem on the rim it didn't work. It worked only when the tool was on the tire near the valve stem. Put the antenna part right on the tire sidewall near the valve stem.

The sensor is inside the tire, so you have to place the antenna of the tool against the sidewall just under the valve stem.

Just did my snow tires this morning- I used the TPMS sensors I bought for my Volt (from ebay). Took about 3-5 seconds to mate each one to the Bolt.

 

[Sean Nelson]

So, is there something like a "relearn tool" or just a "programming tool"? I mean do you need a tool every time you swap from summer to winter wheels or vice versa? Or does the car detect the different set of sensors automatically?

If you buy a generic TPMS valve stem/sensor, one that's designed to work with cars from Ford, GM, Chrysler, etc., then you need to "program" it so that it will use the correct RF frequencies and protocols for the car you have. If you buy a GM sensor you obviously don't need to do this - GM makes it and it will work with GM cars out of the box. This "programming" only needs to be done once, when you put the valve stem/sensor into the wheel.

No matter which type of sensor you buy, every time you mount the wheel with the sensor onto the car, you need to put the car into "TPMS Learning" mode in order to teach it which sensors are in which positions. This is how the car knows, for example, that it's the left rear tire that's low. This is a pretty painless process - you just need an inexpensive "TPMS Relearn Tool" to hold up close to the valve stem on each wheel in turn.

 

[Ampera e]

No matter which type of sensor you buy, every time you mount the wheel with the sensor onto the car, you need to put the car into "TPMS Learning" mode in order to teach it which sensors are in which positions. This is how the car knows, for example, that it's the left rear tire that's low. This is a pretty painless process - you just need an inexpensive "TPMS Relearn Tool" to hold up close to the valve stem on each wheel in turn.

Thanks for getting back to me. I am still a bit confused as it seems to contradict what I read in the Dutch owner manual. There are two sections in that manual of interest (bit of Google Translate, bit of me):

A space saver spare wheel is not equipped with a pressure sensor. The tire pressure monitoring system does not work on these wheels. The check light will be burning. For the other three wheels the system continues to work.

A full-fledged spare wheel is equipped with a pressure sensor. The system recognises the new wheel on the go automatically.

Automatic learning

Each tire pressure sensor has a unique identification code. The identification code of a new wheel must be linked to the right position after the wheels are rotated or all wheels are swapped and when one or more tire pressure sensors has been replaced.

After the wheels have been replaced the car must be stationary for approx. 20 minutes before the system before the car will perform a ‘recalculation’. The following learning process takes about 10 minutes of driving at a minimum driving speed of 20 km / h. In this period the check light may turn on or alternating pressure values may be shown on the DIC.

 

[TimBolt]

I rotated my tires and didn’t bother with the reset tool. It’s pretty easy to remember where each tire is actually located since I did the rotation myself.

One less tool to buy.

 

[Ampera e]

I rotated my tires and didn’t bother with the reset tool. It’s pretty easy to remember where each tire is actually located since I did the rotation myself.

One less tool to buy.

So, you get goods readings but on the wrong positions? Have you verified that the positions are indeed wrong? Also after driving for a bit?

 

[NY-Rob]

I rotated my tires and didn’t bother with the reset tool. It’s pretty easy to remember where each tire is actually located since I did the rotation myself.

One less tool to buy.

I can do it for you if you want to drive by....

 

[TimBolt]

So, you get goods readings but on the wrong positions? Have you verified that the positions are indeed wrong? Also after driving for a bit?

Yes, the sensors continue to work as expected, but since the car doesn’t know the wheel positions have changed the display shows where each wheel used to be, not where they currently are.

The car will not detect the changes in wheel sensor locations without the use of the TPMS relearn tool, which can either be purchased by an owner or reset at a dealership or tire store.

So, in the unlikely event that there’s a low pressure reading in the display, I would need to check the tire in it’s new location, not the location displayed on the dashboard screen.

I check my tire inflation monthly, and always top off all four tires using an accurate gauge.

 

[TimBolt]

I can do it for you if you want to drive by....

Thanks, but I just don’t think it’s necessary. The sensors still work, and if there is an issue with a tire it’s easy to determine which tire has the problem.

 

[NY-Rob]

^ Well, if your ever out to exit 62 on the LIE... look me up if you want it done

 

[Ampera e]

Yes, the sensors continue to work as expected, but ...

Thanks. I guess I must be misinterpreting the instructions in the Dutch manual. Maybe the 'recalculation' bit has nothing to do with the positions but just with the pressure or such.

 

[Sean Nelson]

Thanks for getting back to me. I am still a bit confused as it seems to contradict what I read in the Dutch owner manual.

Page 280 of the North American owner's manual describes the relearn process, mentions the need to use the tool, and makes no mention of an automatic relearn ability.

So I must conclude that either (a) the EU model is different, or (b) whoever put the Dutch manual together did a bad cut-paste job from some other model. If I had to guess I'd choose the later, although I suppose it's possible that some EU regulation mandates the automatic relearn capability.

 

[Ampera e]

Page 280 of the North American owner's manual describes the relearn process, mentions the need to use the tool, and makes no mention of an automatic relearn ability.

So I must conclude that either (a) the EU model is different, or (b) whoever put the Dutch manual together did a bad cut-paste job from some other model. If I had to guess I'd choose the later, although I suppose it's possible that some EU regulation mandates the automatic relearn capability.

Thanks for looking that up for me. I agree that 'poor translation' is the usual suspect. I guess only time will tell.

 

[Ampera e]

I know, the relearn tool is not that expensive at all. But I don't want to buy one (just yet), as I don't know it will work with my aftermarket sensors (Autel). So, I am wondering: has somebody been successful performing the learn cycle by quickly inflating / deflating the tires one by one? Like this guy does:

 

[Lin19687]

IF this actually works, it needs to be a STICKY

 

[drdiesel1]

Yes, it will work. You can try a magnet too. The early TPMS systems could be done
with a magnet held next to the valve stem. I have a tool, so I have not tried the alternative
methods on the Bolt.

 

[Ampera e]

Just got a response from the Dutch Opel Distributor. They claim there is no way for an owner to initiate the TPMS learning procedure. According to them, learning sensor positions must be done by an Opel Dealer using their specialised equipment, every time you switch sets or rotate tires. Yeah, right.

 

[Edchris]

Thanks, but I just don’t think it’s necessary. The sensors still work, and if there is an issue with a tire it’s easy to determine which tire has the problem.

And after a suitable number of rotations, they will be back to original position, & the DIC is copacetic.
I thought it would be pretty easy to make a 2x2 Bingo card, number each wheel & write down the new positions, but in the end, $16 for the tool seemed easier. I think anyone with any electronic theory could make one, all they are is a 315Mhz low powered transmitter.

 

[GreyBolt]

... all they are is a 315Mhz low powered transmitter.

I've been wondering about that, with a closet full of T&M (test and measurement) gear from some past solo EE work, is this something that can just be done with an RF generator? I saw 125 kHz somewhere. Is there a modulation signal? Is it just a CW RF signal with a continuous tone? Or, is there some digital modulation or signal too?

Of course by the time I set it all up and get it working, the $16 amazon tool might be cheaper