What is the Chevy Equinox Tire Pressure Monitoring System?
To ensure road safety in the Chevrolet Equinox, the tire pressure monitoring system plays a pivotal role. By assessing the temperature and pressure of each tire, it provides real-time feedback on the Chevy Equinox’s info screen. It’s vital for this system to function well to guarantee vehicle performance and safety. The Chevrolet Equinox TPMS is constructed of four essential elements: sensors for tire pressure, a module to receive TPMS data, the main vehicle computer, and alerts for insufficient tire pressure.
How Does the Chevy Equinox TPMS Work?
Chevrolet Equinox Tire Pressure Sensors: There’s a sensor inside each Chevy Equinox tire, hidden at the valve stem base. They check air pressure and tire temperature. They are essentially a circuit board, a transmitter, and a battery.
Sensor Data Transmission: The sensor transmitter uses radio waves to send tire details to the Equinox’s computer.
Chevrolet Equinox Computer: The main computer (ECM) looks at the tire data and compares it to Chevrolet’s manufacturer tire pressure and temperature recommendations.
Low Pressure Warning: If air pressure in the tire is too low, a yellow warning light shows on the dashboard.
TPMS System Self Check: If the Equinox tire pressure monitoring system has a problem, the warning light will blink.
How to Reset the Chevy Equinox Tire Light
The Chevrolet Equinox does not have a TPMS reset button.
Modify the Chevy Equinox tire’s air pressure to match the recommended specifications when the tires are in a cold state.
Drive in the Chevrolet Equinox for several minutes, ensuring you’re driving faster than 25 Mph.
How to Relearn the Chevy Equinox Tire Pressure Sensors
When you’ve rotated tires, swapped out tire pressure sensors, or serviced the tires/wheels, follow these instructions:
Pump each tire to about 40 Psi.
Turn the Chevy Equinox ignition to ON, ensuring the engine remains OFF.
Tap the Menu Button and navigate to the Vehicle Information Menu on the screen.
Rotate the scroll wheel until you land on the TIRE PRESSURE MENU.
With the TIRE PRESSURE MENU visible, long-press the SET/CLR button.
A notification will pop up inquiring, “Are you sure that you want to relearn?“.
Respond with “Yes”.
Two horn sounds will confirm success, and “TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE” will display.
Begin with the front-left tire, releasing air until the horn sounds, and repeat for the front-right, back-right, and back-left tires in that order.
After this sequence, the message will no longer be on the screen.
Turn the ignition OFF and recalibrate all tires to the recommended pressures.
Drive the Chevrolet Equinox.
2023 Chevy Equinox Tire Pressures
What Activates the Chevy Equinox Tire Pressure Indicator?
Incorrect tire pressure levels (either underinflated or overinflated)
Air escaping from tires
Absence of TPMS monitoring devices
Drained or defective TPMS sensor batteries
Complications with the TPMS receiver module or the Chevrolet Equinox ECM
Disruptions caused by electromagnetic fields
Climatic or altitude changes
Exceeding the Chevy Equinox weight capacity
Implementing tire chains
Excessively tinted vehicle windows
Fluctuations in the temperature of the road
Tire damages including punctures, dry spots, or bubbled areas
Tires of varying dimensions
Wheels not aligned properly
Software issues in the ECM or TPMS module
Damage to TPMS sensors during tire mounting
Overlooking TPMS recalibrations post tire replacements
Issues related to tire valve stems
What to Know About the Chevy Equinox Tire Pressure Sensor Batteries
The Chevrolet Equinox has four tire pressure monitoring devices, each encased in a black plastic shell attached to the tire valve stems. Contained within is a tiny circuit board tethered to a transmission unit, drawing power from a silver-oxide battery. This battery isn’t designed for replacement or recharging. When it drains, the whole unit needs to be replaced. On average, these TPMS sensor batteries in the Chevy Equinox endure for 5 to 10 years or a mileage of up to 150,000.
Troubleshooting Tips Dealing With the Chevrolet Equinox Low Tire Light
When the Chevy Equinox tire pressure alert activates, begin with the regular TPMS reset steps. If unsuccessful, proceed with the TPMS relearn steps. If both methods are ineffective, consider the following advice and some hands-on testing to resolve the tire light issue.
TIP 1: ASSESS IF YOUR TIRE IS DEFLATING
To check if the low pressure warning stems from a tire leak, follow the TPMS reset guidelines for the Chevrolet Equinox. If the light goes off briefly and then comes back on, it suggests the system is working as intended, but there could be a tire losing pressure. If the TPMS light stays on with all tires at the right pressure, there might be an issue with a tire pressure sensor.
TIP 2: DETECTING A LEAK USING SOAP AND WATER
To pinpoint where an air leak might be on a tire that seems to be losing air, use this method:
MUST-HAVE ITEMS: A tire inflator, a spraying container, some water, and any soap.
Inflate the tire’s pressure until it reaches at least 35 Psi.
Whip up a soap solution using water and your choice of soap (be it detergent, liquid soap, or even glass cleaner).
Generously douse the tire with your prepared soapy water, giving extra care to areas like the valve and the tire rim.
Monitor the tire to see if any bubbles arise.
Upon identifying bubbles, follow them to uncover the exact spot of the leak.
Depending on where you find the leak: For leaks on the Equinox tire’s surface, a tire patch or plug can mend it. If it originates from where the tire connects to the wheel (the bead), the tire will need removal and bead sealing. For leaks on the valve stem, it’s time for a stem replacement.
TIP 3: DIAGNOSING THE CHEVY EQUINOX TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS VIA A TPMS TOOL
If your Chevrolet Equinox’s tires are all set to the recommended 35 Psi and a low tire pressure notification still pops up, it could signify a tire pressure sensor with a nearly empty or completely drained battery. A TPMS programming device or an OBD2 diagnostic reader can help check the status of each TPMS sensor’s battery. The TPMS programming device enables specific analysis on each sensor, in contrast to the OBD2 scanning tool that only offers diagnostic codes that hint at the tire in question. If the TPMS programming tool highlights battery issues, disrupted communication, or atypical readings (like tire temperatures at -99 degrees), that sensor needs replacing.
TIP 4: STEPS TO RESET THE CHEVY EQUINOX'S DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER SYSTEM
Each instance of your Chevrolet Equinox’s low tire pressure warning lighting up gets registered in the vehicle’s on-board computer system as a diagnostic trouble code (DTC). The following process can be likened to restarting a computer facing technical glitches. To refresh your Chevy Equinox’s system, do the following:
Power down the Chevrolet Equinox’s engine and electronics.
Loosen and subsequently disconnect the negative terminal of the Equinox’s 12 Volt battery.
Reconnect the negative terminal to the battery and make sure it’s firmly in place.
Embark on a steady drive for roughly 30 minutes, maintaining a speed of 50 Mph.
If during your drive the low tire pressure warning goes off and then reappears, it might hint at a tire pressure sensor’s battery dying or a genuine reduction in tire pressure.
TIP 5: ACTIVATING INACTIVE CHEVY EQUINOX TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS
It’s not uncommon for tire pressure sensors to be finicky at times. You might find that a Chevrolet Equinox’s tire is properly inflated and the sensor’s battery is good, yet the warning light remains on. This can indicate the Chevy tire pressure sensor has become inactive. To activate it again, adhere to the following procedure:
Let out air from the problem tire until it’s 20 Psi less.
Then, fill the tire to its designated cold pressure and add an additional 5 Psi. (So, if it’s meant to be 35 Psi, make it 40 Psi.)
Drive in your Chevrolet Equinox for 10 minutes at a speed of over 25 Mph with the tire over inflated.
Adjust the tire’s pressure back to its original 35 Psi.
Embark on another 10-minute drive with the Chevrolet Equinox.
TIP 6: DEALING WITH TEMPERATURE INDUCED TIRE PRESSURE ALERTS
Temperatures play an underrated role in influencing tire pressure. It’s common for tire pressure to alter by approximately 1-2 psi with every 10°F temperature difference. For example: If you park your Chevy Equinox overnight when it’s 64°F and morning temperatures plummet to 30°F, its tires could see a drop of 3-6 psi in pressure. This will cause your Chevy Equinox low tire pressure alert to be triggered. In contrast, during warm spells and especially after driving, tire pressure is likely to go up (remember, roads get hot in the sun). This is attributed to air molecules that compress in the cold and expand in heat, leading to pressure shifts inside the tire. Consequently, your Chevy Equinox low tire alert might light up in cooler conditions and switch off as the tires warm from usage. To counter this, we recommend setting your Equinox tire pressures to the recommended 35 Psi before the tires have warmed up from driving. If you do set your tire pressures when the tires are warm, you will likely over inflate them.
COMMON CHEVY EQUINOX TIRE PRESSURE ALERT QUESTIONS
ENSURING PROPER TPMS SENSOR FUNCTION ON NEW WHEELS
When you’ve replaced the tires on your Chevrolet Equinox, it’s essential to go through the TPMS relearn sequence. If you’ve swapped out the wheels/rims of your Chevy Equinox, remember to move the OEM tire pressure sensors from your old wheels over to the new set prior to tire installation. Once the wheels are remounted on the Equinox initiate the TPMS relearn method.
WHATS THE IMPACT OF ELEVATION CHANGES ON TIRE PRESSURE?
Elevation shifts can influence the tire pressure in your Chevrolet Equinox. By the numbers, for each increase of 1,000 feet in altitude, a tire’s pressure might rise by an average of 0.5 psi. Imagine driving your Chevy Equinox from a beachside locale to a height of 3,000 feet; you’re looking at a potential 1.5 psi increase in each tire. This knowledge is pivotal when interpreting readings from the Equinox’s tire pressure monitoring system.
IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE THE CHEVY EQUINOX WHEN THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT IS ON?
Driving your Chevrolet Equinox with the low tire pressure indicator active is risky, and we urge caution. If the light illuminates it’s crucial to find a safe place to stop, then thoroughly inspect each tire and measure the air pressure with a reliable tire gauge. The alert could be due to either a decrease in air pressure or an issue with a tire pressure sensor. Remember, compromised tire pressure compromises safety.
HOW FAR CAN YOU DRIVE THE CHEVY EQUINOX WITH THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE ALERT ON?
It’s not predetermined how many miles or for how long you can drive your Chevrolet Equinox once the low tire pressure light illuminates. The extent to which you can drive with the TPMS alert on hinges upon identifying the precise reason behind the light’s activation.
WHY IS THE CHEVY EQUINOX TIRE LIGHT FLASHING?
A flashing low tire pressure light in your Chevrolet Equinox points to a TPMS malfunction. The root of this problem usually lies in a disrupted link between a tire pressure sensor and the Trailblazer’s ECM or its TPMS receiver module. This diagnostic feature is built into the vehicle for swift issue detection. The TPMS may experience glitches if there’s a battery running low or dead within a tire pressure sensor or if a wheel, such as the spare, lacks a sensor.
WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS OF TIRE PLUGS?
It’s advisable to use tire plugs exclusively for punctures on the tire tread. Avoid using them on the sidewall or when the tread is fully worn.
DO TIRE SEALANTS AFFECT CHEVY EQUINOX TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS?
It’s important to note that tire sealants like Slime or Fix-a-flat might jeopardize the electronics of the tire pressure sensor. After their application, it’s recommended to test the functionality of the Chevrolet Equinox’s TPMS sensor.
Everything in this article is applicable to all Chevrolet Equinox models and versions including the Chevrolet Equinox LS, LT, RS, and Premier.
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