GMC Envoy low tire pressure warning light causes, how to reset

GMC Envoy is equipped with Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) for the purpose of warning the driver when one or more of the tires are significantly under-inflated, creating a potentially unsafe driving condition. In this article we discuss the reasons for the amber colored TPMS warning light in Envoy, and how you can reset it.

GMC Envoy
GMC Envoy – (Art Konovalov / Shutterstock)

The TPMS warning light illuminates in GMC Envoy when air pressure is low in one or more of the tires, battery has depleted in a pressure sensor, TPMS receiver module has malfunctioned, or a pressure sensor has been damaged.


Low tire pressure

When the amber colored TPMS warning light turns on in your Envoy, stop your vehicle when it is safe to do so and check tire pressure on all the wheels, including the spare wheel (if your vehicle has one). Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.

Reinflate the tires

Reinflate all the tires of your Envoy to the manufacturer specified air pressure, which is mentioned on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label usually located on the B-pillar or the edge of the driver door.

Resetting the TPMS warning light

After you have inflated all the tires to the correct air pressure, the TPMS warning light will turn off automatically. GMC Envoy uses the direct method for monitoring tire pressure, which means a pressure sensor actively records the internal pressure and air temperature of the tire on each wheel. There is no need to reinitialize the TPMS system in order to reset the warning light. There is no reset button like the one you see in vehicles with indirect TPMS system which uses ABS sensors to detect low tire pressure.

If the low tire pressure light does not turn off automatically after reinflating the tires in your Envoy, increase the tire pressure by 5 psi on top of the factory recommended value, and drive your vehicle for at least 10 miles (16 km). After the TPMS warning light turns off, and the vehicle has been parked for a few hours, reduce the tire pressure to the factory recommended value.

Tire Rotation Reset: You will need to relearn the TPMS sensors in your GMC Envoy after rotating tires. See “TPMS Sensor Matching Process” in the user guide below for the reset procedure.

Chilly weather can turn on low tire pressure light in Envoy

Cold weather is one of the most common cause for low tire pressure warning light in GMC Envoy. When analyzing WheelsJoint’s statistical data, it has been observed that there is sharp rise in the number of searches for TPMS warning light causes at the start of every winter season, about three times higher as compared to mid summer season.

The air, like most other substances, expands when heated and contracts when cooled. So when the weather gets colder, the tire pressure decreases, which could trigger TPMS warning light in Envoy. The tire pressure will vary with temperature by about 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F (6.5°C).

Tire pressure vs temperature: This chart shows how tire pressure of 35 psi at temperature of 35°C (95°F) decreases by roughly 1.6 psi with every 10°C (18°F) drop in temperature.

Inflate tires when cold

Tire pressure in Envoy should always be set based on cold inflation tire pressure. This is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been driven for at least three hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) after a three-hour period.


Do not adjust tire pressure when hot

The tires on your Envoy can get around 50 degrees hotter than the outside temperature when you’re driving, which increases the tire pressure by about 4 psi – this is normal and there should be no adjustment for this increased pressure.

Does altitude affect tire pressure?

Yes, altitude can change tire pressure values, but it is negligible and not a cause for concern. If you drive your Envoy from sea level to Mount Evans Scenic Byway in Colorado which is the highest paved road in North America at the altitude of 14,130 feet (4,307 m), the tire pressure should theoretically increase by approximately 6 psi. But, the decrease in ambient temperature at higher elevation contracts the air in tires and compensates for any altitude pressure changes.

Is it safe to drive Envoy with low tire pressure?

The driving characteristics of Envoy change even if the air pressure is 5 psi less than manufacturer’s recommended value: the braking distance can be longer, cornering worse, and at particularly high speeds there is even a risk that the tire will burst. Low tire pressure also increases tire wear, and the higher rolling resistance of the tire means higher fuel consumption. So it is recommended to reinflate the tires to the correct pressure as soon as possible.

Dead battery in a tire pressure sensor

Each tire pressure sensor in Envoy is powered by a built-in lithium-ion battery. When the battery is depleted, the sensor stops transmitting tire pressure information to the receiver module. When this happens, the TPMS warning light will flash every time the engine is started, and will remain illuminated until you turn off the vehicle.

How long do the pressure sensor batteries last?

The tire pressure sensor batteries usually last anywhere from 5 to 10 years in Envoy. When the battery is depleted, you must replace the sensor itself, as the battery is sealed into the sensor unit and is non-replaceable.

Identifying a faulty pressure sensor

The most reliable method for detecting a faulty tire pressure sensor or a sensor with dead battery is by testing each sensor with a scan tool. For example, MaxiTPMS TS408 is commonly used for diagnosing and programming tire pressure sensors. A sensor that is not detectable by the scanner is most likely defective and should be replaced with a new one.

Scan each wheel with a scan tool like MaxiTPMS TS408 and see which one does not respond.

If you don’t want to spend over a hundred bucks on a scanner, then head over to any reputable tire shop and perform a TPMS diagnostic scan of your Envoy. Some shops like Discount Tire and Pep Boys offer free of charge TPMS diagnostic services.

Installed new tires?

If a pressure sensor stopped responding after you installed new tires on your Envoy, it is possible the sensor got damaged during tire installation. These sensors are quite sensitive, and can be easily damaged if utmost care is not taken while changing tires.


GMC Envoy TPMS user guide

Tire Pressures

On vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), press the trip information button until TIRE PRESSURES appears on the display. This mode shows the tire pressure in pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa). Press the select button to scroll through the following information:

  • LF TIRE shows the tire pressure for the front driver’s side tire.
  • RF TIRE shows the tire pressure for the front passenger’s side tire.
  • LR TIRE shows the tire pressure for the rear driver’s side tire.
  • RR TIRE shows the tire pressure for the rear passenger’s side tire.

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning message

This message displays when the pressure in one or more of the vehicle’s tires needs to be checked. If a tire pressure message appears on the DIC, stop as soon as you can. Have the tire pressures checked and set to those shown on the Tire Loading Information label. If the tire pressure is low, the low tire pressure warning light comes on.

SERVICE TIRE MONITOR warning message

This message displays if a part on the TPMS is not working properly. The tire pressure light also flashes and then remains on during the same ignition cycle. Several conditions may cause this message to appear. If the warning comes on and stays on, there may be a problem with the TPMS. See your dealer/retailer.

Tire Pressure Monitor Operation

The TPMS is designed to warn the driver when a low tire pressure condition exists. TPMS sensors are mounted onto each tire and wheel assembly, excluding the spare tire and wheel assembly, if the vehicle has one. The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in the vehicle’s tires and transmit the tire pressure readings to a receiver located in the vehicle.

The TPMS is designed to alert the driver if a low tire pressure condition exists. If your vehicle has the Driver Information Center (DIC) steering wheel control buttons, tire pressure levels may also be checked through the DIC.

When a low tire pressure condition is detected, the TPMS illuminates the low tire pressure warning light located on the instrument panel cluster.

At the same time a message to check the pressure in a specific tire appears on the Driver Information Center (DIC) display. The low tire pressure warning light and the DIC warning message come on at each ignition cycle until the tires are inflated to the correct inflation pressure. Using the DIC, tire pressure levels can be viewed by the driver.

The low tire pressure warning light may come on in cool weather when the vehicle is first started, and then turn off as you start to drive. This could be an early indicator that the air pressure in the tire(s) is low and needs to be inflated to the proper pressure.

A Tire and Loading Information label, attached to your vehicle, shows the size of your vehicle’s original equipment tires and the correct inflation pressure for your vehicle’s tires when they are cold.

WARNING: Using non-approved tire sealants could damage the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) sensors. TPMS sensor damage caused by using an incorrect tire sealant is not covered by the vehicle warranty. Always use the GM approved tire sealant available through your dealer/retailer.

TPMS Sensor Matching Process

Each TPMS sensor has a unique identification code. Any time you rotate your vehicle’s tires or replace one or more of the TPMS sensors, the identification codes will need to be matched to the new tire/wheel position. The sensors are matched to the tire/wheel positions in the following order: driver side front tire, passenger side front tire, passenger side rear tire, and driver side rear tire using a TPMS diagnostic tool.

The TPMS sensors can also be matched to each tire/wheel position by increasing or decreasing the tire’s air pressure. If increasing the tire’s air pressure, do not exceed the maximum inflation pressure indicated on the tire’s sidewall.

To decrease air-pressure out of a tire you can use the pointed end of the valve cap, a pencil-style air pressure gage, or a key.

You have two minutes to match the first tire/wheel position, and five minutes overall to match all four tire/wheel positions. If it takes longer than two minutes, to match the first tire and wheel, or more than five minutes to match all four tire and wheel positions the matching process stops and you need to start over.

The TPMS sensor matching process is outlined below:

  1. Set the parking brake.
  2. Turn the ignition switch to ON/RUN with the engine off.
  3. Turn the headlamp control from off to parking lamps four times within three seconds. A double horn chirp will sound and the TPMS low tire warning light will begin to flash. The double horn chirp and flashing TPMS warning light indicate that the TPMS matching process has started. The TPMS warning light should continue flashing throughout the matching procedure.
  4. Start with the driver side front tire.
  5. Remove the valve cap from the valve cap stem. Activate the TPMS sensor by increasing or decreasing the tire’s air pressure for 10 seconds, then stop and listen for a single horn chirp. The single horn chirp should sound within 15 seconds, confirming that the sensor identification code has been matched to this tire and wheel position. If you do not hear the confirming single horn chirp, you will need to start over with step number one.
  6. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 5.
  7. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 5.
  8. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 5.
  9. After hearing the confirming horn chirp for the driver’s side rear tire, check to see if the TPMS warning light is still flashing. If yes, turn the ignition switch to LOCK/OFF to exit the sensor matching process. If the TPMS warning light is not flashing, the five minute time limit has passed and you will need to start the process over beginning with Step 1.
  10. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure level as indicated on the Tire and Loading Information label.
  11. Put the valve caps back on the valve stems.

TPMS Malfunction Light and Message

The TPMS will not function properly if one or more of the TPMS sensors are missing or inoperable. When the system detects a malfunction, the low tire warning light flashes for about one minute and then stays on for the remainder of the ignition cycle. A DIC warning message is also displayed. The low tire warning light and DIC warning message come on at each ignition cycle until the problem is corrected. Some of the conditions that can cause the malfunction light and DIC message to come on are:

  • One of the road tires has been replaced with the spare tire, if the vehicle has one. The spare tire does not have a TPMS sensor. The TPMS malfunction light and DIC message should go off once you re-install the road tire containing the TPMS sensor.
  • The TPMS sensor matching process was started but not completed or not completed successfully after rotating the vehicle’s tires. The DIC message and TPMS malfunction light should go off once the TPMS sensor matching process is performed successfully. See “TPMS Sensor Matching Process” later in this section.
  • One or more TPMS sensors are missing or damaged. The DIC message and the TPMS malfunction light should go off when the TPMS sensors are installed and the sensor matching process is performed successfully. See your dealer/retailer for service.
  • Replacement tires or wheels do not match your vehicle’s original equipment tires or wheels. Tires and wheels other than those recommended for your vehicle could prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
  • Operating electronic devices or being near facilities using radio wave frequencies similar to the TPMS could cause the TPMS sensors to malfunction.

If the TPMS is not functioning it cannot detect or signal a low tire condition. See your dealer/retailer for service if the TPMS malfunction light and DIC message come on and stay on.

Reset the entire system

If the low tire pressure warning light won’t turn off due to a glitch in the tire pressure monitoring system, it may be possible to reset the TPMS system by resetting all on-board computers in your Envoy. This method should only be considered as a last resort, when all else fails.

Disconnect both negative and positive terminals of the battery.

You can reboot all the on-board computers by disconnecting the main 12 volt battery for a few minutes. Remove the cable from the negative terminal of the battery first, then from the positive terminal. With the battery disconnected, press the horn button a few times and turn on the headlights to drain out all the residual electricity from the system. After about 15 minutes, reconnect the battery in reverse order: positive cable first, then negative cable.

Tire pressure keeps getting low

If the TPMS warning light turns on frequently in your Envoy, and the tire pressure is also decreasing after you have reinflated the tires, there may be an air leak. One or more of the tires may have been punctured by an external object, or the air may be leaking from a defective value stem.

A punctured tire can be plugged with a tire repair kit if the puncture is not near the sidewall.

Can I disable the TPMS system in Envoy?

No, the TPMS system is federally mandated, and cannot be disabled in GMC Envoy. All vehicles must have a working tire pressure monitoring system to be legally compliant.

Use OBD2 scanner for diagnosis

Since GMC Envoy is equipped with on-board diagnostics (OBD), a fault diagnosis can provide initial indications of where the malfunction is located. But when it comes to TPMS, a basic code reader will not suffice. You will need an advanced scanner to monitor TPMS data or read TPMS codes.

BlueDriver is a Bluetooth based diagnostic device which you can connect to the OBDII port in your vehicle and use your mobile phone for diagnosis. You will need to download the “BlueDriver OBD2 Scan Tool” app from the App Store on your iPhone, or from Google Play Store if you have an Android phone.

BlueDriver is a commonly used scanner by DIYers that can read TPMS codes for most vehicles and isn’t too expensive – costs about a hundred bucks. You can also clear the TPMS fault codes with this device which will turn off the warning light, but the light may come back on if the on-board diagnostic system detects a fault again.

Author: Nabeel K
Email: nabeel@wheelsjoint.com



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