08 Tahoe Tire Monitor System

[White2010PPV]

I have a 2008 Tahoe with the 5.3 in it. After about 30 minutes of driving I always get a message about my tire monitor system on the dash. It doesnt affect drivability in any way but it does give me the message and a light on the dash. Any ideas what could cause this? It only is after 30 minutes or more.

 

[Rocket Man]

TPMS sensors in the tires have batteries that last about 20 years. If you can’t get them to relearn or read pressure you’ll need to replace them. Plenty of info out there on them.

 

[1BADI5]

TPMS sensor batteries last about 5-8 years max.

As Rocketman said, do them all at once.

 

[petethepug]

What does the message on the dash say?

 

[White2010PPV]

What does the message on the dash say?

It says “Service Tire Monitor System”. Also I see the other replies talking about the batteries but wouldn’t that be a problem as soon as I start it up and not wait 30 minutes to come on?

 

[Rocket Man]

It says “Service Tire Monitor System”. Also I see the other replies talking about the batteries but wouldn’t that be a problem as soon as I start it up and not wait 30 minutes to come on?

No. It takes awhile for it to attempt to communicate with the sensors. If those things were transmitting the psi constantly the batteries would last a few months at most, not 8-10 years. I’m not sure how often they transmit but obviously not for at least 30 minutes. Trust us, it’s the sensors. And I suggest ACDelco replacements if you don’t want any pairing difficulties and you want them to last.

 

[intheburbs]

My 2008 2500 does the same thing. I had the sensors replaced last time I bought new tires, and I think the tire place used ***** ones. It's only been a few years.

Doesn't bother me too much, I just keep a closer eye on my tire pressures.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Make sure that you get replacements for your specific model year, as the transmit frequencies for the vehicles/fobs communications change occasionally.

 

[petethepug]

If you're ok with the message until you're next tire change, have the sensors replaced then. Make sure the shop is going to stand behind the sensors they install. By some small chance if the shop is given a bad sensor, you want them to pay replace the sensor, pull the tire off, replace the sensor, install the tire and balance the tire all over again. Make sure you replace all four TPMS at the same time.

There are so many slim shady TPMS sellers that market their sensors as new but are actually junk yard pulls. It's ridiculous. If you've got chrome clad rims it's especially important to have the TPMS active. Corrosion on the bead of the rims causes them to leak after 5-7 years. The TPMS will allow you to refill a low tire vs. driving on it flat until it's ruined.

Also keep in mind if you have AWD like a Denali, new and old tires don't mix. The wear of the tires changes the tire's circumference so it's possible to spin the diff and damage the drive train if new and used tires are installed. The tire guys love to tell you this because they get to sell four new tires to you.

 

[Rocket Man]

FYI the tires don’t need to come off to replace the sensors, they just need to break a bead. They mark the location of the tire on the rim so there’s no rebalance needed. Most decent tire stores will install them for $10 a wheel or so. I buy ACDelco sensors online, usually Amazon. You can get the p/n’s from somewhere like Rock Auto or an online GM dealer. Then I take the sensors to a tire store and have them installed. Those places don’t carry ACDelco, but like to push “universal” no- name ones that they make more money on. They don’t last ten years I’ll tell you that much.