TPMS sucks!
Thread Starter
Joined: 08-08-2014
Posts: 1
From: North Carolina
TPMS sucks!
I just bought a used 2010 HHR. Since I drove it home I can not seem to get rid of the TPMS message. 
I have tried a few different things I have gotten from Google, but nothing has worked. Does anyone have any suggestions? There isn't a warranty and the car was sold as is. Is this an inexpensive fix or should I start crying now?
I have tried a few different things I have gotten from Google, but nothing has worked. Does anyone have any suggestions? There isn't a warranty and the car was sold as is. Is this an inexpensive fix or should I start crying now?
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,719
From: Alabama
Welcome to the site. 
My first advice is to read your owners manual. There is some pretty detailed info in there regarding the TPMS.
Didn't get an owners manual ? No problem. Here's a link to the owners manuals that are available on this site. https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/gene...s-manual-3074/
My first advice is to read your owners manual. There is some pretty detailed info in there regarding the TPMS.
Didn't get an owners manual ? No problem. Here's a link to the owners manuals that are available on this site. https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/gene...s-manual-3074/
Senior Member
Joined: 03-29-2009
Posts: 1,097
From: Quebec City
Moderator
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 26,484
From: Fredericksburg,VA
A) 2010 you do need the reset tool
B) as I read the manual; you need to use the tool or you will get a fault message. I.E.: if the sensors are there but on the wrong corner=error.
C) you have to have TPMS, it's the law.
D) you need a remote fob to reset the TPMS positions.
So, if you have a fob and if your wheels have sending units in them you can get your local tire store to reset the positions.
Fobs cost about $15 on eBay, but must be programmed by a Professional for a fee. Wheel sensors cost $30-80 each + installation. Many tire stores now charge to reset them.
B) as I read the manual; you need to use the tool or you will get a fault message. I.E.: if the sensors are there but on the wrong corner=error.
C) you have to have TPMS, it's the law.
D) you need a remote fob to reset the TPMS positions.
So, if you have a fob and if your wheels have sending units in them you can get your local tire store to reset the positions.
Fobs cost about $15 on eBay, but must be programmed by a Professional for a fee. Wheel sensors cost $30-80 each + installation. Many tire stores now charge to reset them.
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,719
From: Alabama
donbrew. My 2010 does not need the reset tool. I thought it was only the 2011's that did.
And the last time I rotated mine I did not reset them to the correct positions. No codes ever popped up.
(is this another of those agree to disagree things ?)
And the last time I rotated mine I did not reset them to the correct positions. No codes ever popped up.
(is this another of those agree to disagree things ?)
Senior Member
Joined: 06-20-2011
Posts: 737
From: Savanna Illinois
A while back my brothers step son bought himself a gofast Chrysler product. He knew it needed new tires when he bought it but figured they would last until he got his tax return.
Since he had made up his mind to that he just continued to drive the car with the maypop racing slicks on it. He ended up getting a Christmas bonus from the casino he works at that was enough for him to buy two tires for his car.
I guess if he swapped out the two worst tires they must have been really really bad.
At Christmas time he took the weekend off to come home and visit but, first one of his buddies had a big party he needed to attend and after the party they decided to go bar hopping so, naturally he had a flat on one of the remaining bad tires. He was in a particularly bad part of town so he drove several blocks and since things were going pretty well for him he decided to go home before putting the spare on.
Once he had the spare on he drove on home for the holidays.
Driving so far on the flat shredded the tire and ruined the rim. My brother had more Dodge rims at his place so he went and got the right sized used tire and mounted it. This wheel was an old steel wheel and not the fancy alloy wheel the kid had on his car but it was free to him. It also didn't have a tire pressure sensor in the valve stem.
The TPMS light was on in his dash, and naturally he did not like that much. He kept whining for a while so my brother told him to put a piece of tape or cardboard over the light.
He didn't think he should have to do that so my brother told him he had checked the price on the sensor and it was $85 dollars and he would have to pay around $65 to have the dodge dealer program the computer to work with the new one.
Amazingly enough the kid decided that he could live with a piece of black tape over the light, at least until such time as he got his taxes back and bought more stuff for his car.
Since he had made up his mind to that he just continued to drive the car with the maypop racing slicks on it. He ended up getting a Christmas bonus from the casino he works at that was enough for him to buy two tires for his car.
I guess if he swapped out the two worst tires they must have been really really bad.
At Christmas time he took the weekend off to come home and visit but, first one of his buddies had a big party he needed to attend and after the party they decided to go bar hopping so, naturally he had a flat on one of the remaining bad tires. He was in a particularly bad part of town so he drove several blocks and since things were going pretty well for him he decided to go home before putting the spare on.
Once he had the spare on he drove on home for the holidays.
Driving so far on the flat shredded the tire and ruined the rim. My brother had more Dodge rims at his place so he went and got the right sized used tire and mounted it. This wheel was an old steel wheel and not the fancy alloy wheel the kid had on his car but it was free to him. It also didn't have a tire pressure sensor in the valve stem.
The TPMS light was on in his dash, and naturally he did not like that much. He kept whining for a while so my brother told him to put a piece of tape or cardboard over the light.
He didn't think he should have to do that so my brother told him he had checked the price on the sensor and it was $85 dollars and he would have to pay around $65 to have the dodge dealer program the computer to work with the new one.
Amazingly enough the kid decided that he could live with a piece of black tape over the light, at least until such time as he got his taxes back and bought more stuff for his car.
Moderator
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 26,484
From: Fredericksburg,VA
I don't know! Maybe I'll DL the 2010 OM and read it. NAAH, people that own them don't, why should I.
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,719
From: Alabama
Grabbed this from the 2011 owners manual. So. I guess needing the relearn tool applies to the 2011 only.
TPMS Sensor Matching Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique identification code.
The identification code needs to be matched to a new
tire/wheel position after rotating the tires or replacing
one or more of the TPMS sensors. The TPMS sensor
matching process should also be performed after
replacing a spare tire with a road tire containing the
TPMS sensor. The malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off at the next ignition cycle. The
sensors are matched to the tire/wheel positions, using a
TPMS relearn tool, in the following order: driver side
front tire, passenger side front tire, passenger side rear
tire, and driver side rear. See your dealer for service or
to purchase a relearn tool.
TPMS Sensor Matching Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique identification code.
The identification code needs to be matched to a new
tire/wheel position after rotating the tires or replacing
one or more of the TPMS sensors. The TPMS sensor
matching process should also be performed after
replacing a spare tire with a road tire containing the
TPMS sensor. The malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off at the next ignition cycle. The
sensors are matched to the tire/wheel positions, using a
TPMS relearn tool, in the following order: driver side
front tire, passenger side front tire, passenger side rear
tire, and driver side rear. See your dealer for service or
to purchase a relearn tool.
Moderator
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 26,484
From: Fredericksburg,VA
I just remembered the past discussion of this point. The change was made "in 2010", so some 2010 cars are included as well as all 2011s. I don't feel up to looking for it but somebody (843de ?) posted an exact date for the change.
Last edited by donbrew; Aug 9, 2014 at 08:31 AM.