I'm getting ready to get new wheels, which require a slightly smaller tire. In looking at a website for pricing, I found this very frightening paragraph which I'm printing here for your help.

Now, keep in mind that this is the TOYO.com website, and I had plugged in the HHR for tire suggestions -- the only tires that come up when you do so, say 16" with TPMS!!

So, my question is, do our cars come with this TPMS system, and do I need to understand and deal with this --- here's what it said:

Warning! Originally Installed (O.E.) Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS)

Originally installed TPMS are covered by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 138) and may not be tampered with or disabled under specific provisions of FMVSS 138.
It is against the law to disable or make inoperative any originally installed TPMS in any automobile or light truck (10,000 lbs. GVWR or less), prior to the first retail sale of the vehicle. Significant civil penalties apply to new car sellers or distributors that sell vehicles that are not in compliance with all applicable FMVSS at the time of sale (49 U.S.C. 30112).
It is against the law to disable any TPMS malfunction indicator light (MIL), even after the first retail sale. Significant civil penalties apply (49 U.S.C. 30112).
There are no prohibitions against the installation of aftermarket tires and wheels after the first retail sale of the vehicle, however it is highly recommended that such installations not interfere with the proper operation of the TPMS.

Warning! Vehicle Tire Inflation Pressure Labels and Vehicle Placards.

New FMVSS prescribe very specific requirements for the design, layout, color scheme and content of new vehicle placards (otherwise known as the tire tag or tire information placard). These new rules apply to all light vehicles of 10,000 lbs. GVWR or less.
The application of aftermarket tires/wheels on new vehicles prior to the first retail sale must be in full compliance with FMVSS 139.
The installation of aftermarket tires/wheels will require the seller to replace the placard to reflect the required information of the new tires and wheels. Significant civil penalties apply to new car sellers or distributors that sell vehicles that are not in compliance with all applicable FMVSS at the time of sale.

Thanks very much for your time/knowledge.

 

No. The HHR doesn`t have any programming for monitoring the tire pressure.
My sons Regal has it, gives him a lot of headache. Every time a tire shows 1-2 lb. pressure loss, dash light comes on.

 

We have this new system on all of our new Police vehicles and our Tahoes and its a Pain in the Ass, The Dealership has to reset our Tahoe due to it being under warranty, I think its a bad Idea the way the system works . the Old system you were able to reset it your self but not the new system. The new system they have to wave an small computer around the Rim & Tire then the Horn will go off and after all 4 are done them the system is reset.

This new system sucks. I've stood there and watched them do this, It takes about 5 min. The Check Air Pressure light on the Dash nevers goes off unless this is done. I guess its good if you have a slow leak but its a pain in the Butt.

 

I had this on my Crossfire and found it very useful! other than it didn't tell you which tire. After filling it the light would then go off.

 

the one on the new ride(non-hhr) is pretty good...tells me what the pressure is for each tire and and I can set it to notify me if it drops below a certain point, just quick flash on the DIC and shows the pressures

I could have used on the chevy though...the 17" rims don't have any lip and I was always worried about over-inflating them..just meant a few extra steps to be sure

 

THANK YOU for your help... and boy, did it help!!