After the TREAD Act was mandated in 2007, all vehicles manufactured in the United States beginning in 2008, must be installed with direct or indirect TPMS systems.

The GMC Sierra is manufactured with a direct TPMS system, which means TPMS sensors are installed in the wheel. If one or more tires indicate low tire pressure, the TPMS sensors will transfer the information to the vehicle’s ECU. An indicator light (low-line TPMS system) or each tire pressure will show on the dash (high-line TPMS system).

When a sensor is replaced in one or more tires, one or more wheels are replaced or tires are rotated in a GMC Sierra, a manual (stationary) or OBD TPMS relearn is recommended to transfer new and/or existing TPMS sensor IDs to the vehicle’s ECU.

Type of TPMS system:

• Direct TPMS, sensors are installed in the wheel
• All OE and aftermarket TPMS part numbers and service kit replacement options for the GMC Acadia can be found in the VT56 in “Service TPMS”.

Type of TPMS frequency:

• 315 MHz for years 2004-2018 
• 433 MHz for the year 2020
• 2019 models use both 315 MHz and 433 MHz frequencies 

Type of Relearn Procedures:

• Manual (stationary) relearn, years 2007-2020
• Bonus OBD relearn procedure coverage as an option on the VT56, requires OBD module, years 2008-2020

Type of TPMS tool required for TPMS reset

• VT56 TPMS Diagnostic tool, step by step relearn procedures are written in the tool.

Bonus coverage, OBD relearn procedure, years 2008-2020:

• OBDII dongle is required 
• Confirm TPMS sensors are properly installed 
• Adjust tire pressures to placard value 
• Hold TPMS tool on left front tire sidewall next to valve stem 
• Repeat for RF/RR/LR tires 
• Apply OBD dongle to DLC
• Turn ignition to ON
• Press OK on TPMS tool to transfer data to ECU 
• Disconnect OBD dongle from DLC 
• Turn ignition to OFF then start the engine 
• Drive for at least 5 minutes at 28 MPH

The video shows a GMC Acadia, but the same procedure will work on a GMC Sierra.

Manual relearn procedure, years 2004-2007:

• OBDII dongle is not required 
• Confirm TPMS sensors are properly installed 
• Adjust tire pressures to placard value 
• Apply parking brake 
• Turn ignition to ON 
• Turn headlight switch from OFF to parking lamp 4x within 4 seconds 
• Double horn chirp 
• Use tool to activate LF sensor 
• Single horn sounds 
• Repeat for RF/RR/LR 
• Turn ignition OFF 
• Drive vehicle for 2 minutes about 25 MPH to get correct DIC display 
• If learn mode can’t be enabled, see service manual 
• Release parking brake before driving vehicle

Manual relearn procedure, Keyless Entry, years 2008-2013:

• OBDII dongle is not required 
• Confirm TPMS sensors are properly installed 
• Adjust tire pressures to placard value 
• Inflate all tires 
• Turn ignition ON 
• Push and hold unlock and lock button on key fob until horn sounds
• Use tool to activate LF sensor 
• Single horn sounds 
• Repeat for RF/RR/LR 
• Turn ignition OFF 

Manual relearn procedure, DIC Button, years 2008-2013:

• Inflate all tires 
• Apply parking brake
• Turn ignition ON 
• Push the DIC information button until PRESS TIRE LEARN is displayed
• Push (✓) to confirm 
• Horn sounds 2x and TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE is displayed 
• Use tool to activate LF sensor 
• Single horn sounds 
• Repeat for RF/RR/LR sensor 
• Turn ignition OFF 
• Release parking brake before driving vehicle

Manual relearn procedure, Odometer Reset years 2008-2013:

• Inflate all tires
• Apply parking brake 
• Turn ignition ON 
• Push and hold the trip odometer reset stem on instrument panel until PRESS (✓) TO RELEARN TIRE POSITIONS is displayed 
• Push (✓) to confirm 
• Horn sounds 2x and TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE is displayed 
• Use tool to activate LF sensor 
• Single horn sounds 
• Repeat for RF/RR/LR
• Turn ignition OFF 
• Release parking brake before driving vehicle

Manual relearn procedure, Uplevel DIC years 2014-2020:

• OBDII dongle is not required 
• Confirm TPMS sensors are properly installed 
• Adjust tire pressures to placard value 
• Apply parking brake 
• Turn vehicle to ON/RUN
• Scroll to the uplevel on the right side of the steering wheel until Tire Pressure is displayed 
• Push and hold Set/Reset button 
• Horn chirps 2x DIC displays TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE 
• Use tool to activate LF sensor 
• Single horn sounds 
• Repeat for RF/RR/LR 
• Horn chirps 2x for relearn complete 

Manual relearn procedure, Base level DIC years 2014-2020:

• OBDII dongle is not required 
• Confirm TPMS sensors are properly installed 
• Adjust tire pressures to placard value 
• Apply parking brake 
• Turn vehicle to ON/RUN 
• Push the trip odometer reset stem until Tire Pressure is displayed 
• Push and hold trip reset stem to begin the sensor matching process 
• Push trip reset again to confirm 
• Horn chirps 2x DIC displays TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE 
• Use tool to activate LF sensor 
• Single horn sounds 
• Repeat for RF/RR/LR 
• Horn chirps 2x for relearn complete 

Troubleshooting tips

Tip 1:

The owner’s manual on the GMC Sierra states, “There are two minutes to match the first tire/wheel position, and five minutes overall to match all four tire/wheel positions. If it takes longer, the matching process stops and must be restarted.” 

If the horn chirps twice before all steps have been performed or sensors have been activated, the relearn procedure most likely has failed and the IDs did not transfer correctly, which means the procedure has to start over again.

The solution? For most GMC vehicles, the bonus OBD relearn procedure is available for the ATEQ VT56, thanks to patented Sync-ID technology. This advanced feature allows the user to perform an OBD relearn to turn the light off, with minimal to no driving time required to turn the light off, saving the technician time and the customer labor costs. It takes two minutes or less to perform an OBD relearn procedure on a GMC Sierra, and requires just one relearn procedure to memorize for various vehicle Makes.

Tip 2:

Lowering the driver’s side window may help complete the process for larger GMC vehicles

Tip 3:

GMC recommends rotating tires every 7,500 miles (12 000 kilometers). Tire rotation helps with even wear for all tires and is important for balanced handling on the road, which can extend the life of tires and save money in the long-run. When tires are rotated, GMC recommends resetting the TPMS system by performing a TPMS relearn to transfer the new location of the TPMS sensors to the vehicle’s ECU. It is also recommended to do a TPMS reset after a wheel or sensor replacement.

Tip 4:

The GMC Sierra was manufactured with 315 MHz TPMS sensors from 2004 through 2018. 2020 models are manufactured with 433 MHz TPMS sensors. However, 2019 models are manufactured with BOTH 315 and 433 MHz TPMS sensors. Be sure to check the tool in the CHECK TPMS icon on the VT56, VT46, VT36 or VT31 tools to see which sensor frequency you are working with before replacing a TPMS sensor. 

Placard pressure adjustment

Use the VT56 or VT46 branded tools to change placard pressure for the GMC Sierra if upsizing tires/wheels, also when replacing with off-road tires or low-profile tires. This feature is available for GMC Sierra models, years 2008-2020.

Please note: to determine appropriate placard pressure, always follow the tire load and inflation standards. Maintain the overall circumference to +/-3% of the original size, and the required load rating located on the manufacturing placard. Always refer to the vehicle’s owner’s manual for any specific safety advice regarding the application of replacement tires.

TPMS DTC code information

Use the VT56 to retrieve GMC TPMS DTC codes by selecting the “Service” icon. After selecting the Make, Model, and Year select the DTC code icon. Use the OBDII module to retrieve the GMC DTC TPMS information to diagnose and service the TPMS issues determined.