The TPM system as of Jan 1 2011 requires the relearn tool on all GM cars. GM changed the system and release the cheaper relearn tool and the letting air pressure out no longer works.

The system GM has in place now will remain there from here on out and the tool will remain relivent and will work on all GM cars with TPM past, present and future.

I picked one up because of my 2012 GMC and it works great.

While it is a pain I am glad GM did offer the cheaper tool as while $69 is not cheap the other auto makers use tools that generally cost $350 to $650. Also to go to the dealer or pay someone to set them will cost you around 1/3 of the cost of the tool.

But please note Jan 1 2011 is the cut off date do a early 2011 car will still work with the letting out the air but the post Jan 1 cars will not work with it. This is why some 2011 need the tool and some don't.

 

All you have to remember is that if it says your LF tire is low, it's really the LR tire. That is until you do your next tire rotation.

 

Now if you rotate the LF to the LR then remember that the time befor the LF was the LR and then get out and look at them all and try to figure out which one looks the lowest.

Or you can just buy the tool and never have to worry about it again.

Note you can loan it to others for $5 untill you pay it off and then it is free. Most people would think that would be fair. Keep in mind once it is paid off still let them borrow it for free.

 

I bought the tool from Kent Moore and I paid $62. It works great. I thought when you put nitrogen in the tire it did not change in relation to the temperature. If I remember correctly the earths atmosphere is approximately 79% nitrogen already.

 

My manual says the TPMS light will come on, or the check tires or whatever, don't recall the verbiage. but talk on other GM forums abound with question about "my TPMS light is on after I rotated the tires". I have not tried it yet personally.


Here is what the manual says about the TPMS Malfunction light being illuminated for my 2011 HHR.:

The TPMS sensor matching process was not
done or not completed successfully after rotating
the tires. The malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off after successfully
completing the sensor matching process.

 

See mine doesn't as stated. Must be an early build 2011. It did make me happy not having to fork over more money :-). I've had this issue before, but that was with first year model vehicles or refreshed models.

 

Nitrogen if pure changes less but it stil change some.

Nitrogen is great for race cars where little change is needed or will effect the cars handing. Or it is great if you have high flying space craft or air planes like a Space Shuttle or SR71. But in a road car it is more a profit center. It will not hurt anything but your wallet.

 

i have a 2010 hhr. i followed the directions in my owners manual on how to reset the tpms sensors by letting air out of tire and it worked great! thought it would be a pain but it did work! took less than 5 mins. :) not sure about the 2011 though, good luck

 

2011 2LT relearn was in my manual but I almost went ahead and ordered the gm tool. Gave it a try today and the pre-2011 procedure worked just fine. Did find in my rpo codes this one was built for fleet use.

 

Was your 2011 built prior to 01/01/2011? If it was then the air release will work! I'm pretty sure fleet would have in the early build prior to that date and that's why the air release method works