Recall - Tire Pressure Monitor System Reprograming: Overview
FMVSS NONCOMPLIANCEBulletin No.: 09101
Date: May 21, 2009
Subject: 09101 - Tire Pressure Monitor System - Reprogram Required
Models:
2008-2009 Pontiac G8
Condition
General Motors has decided that certain 2008-2009 model year Pontiac G8 vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems". The Standard requires a low tire pressure telltale be illuminated to warn the driver when tire pressure is 25% below the manufacturer's recommended cold inflation pressure. The affected vehicles have incorrect values programmed into the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that will not illuminate the TPMS warning lamp until tire pressure falls below values required by the Standard. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Correction
Dealers are to reprogram the Remote Control Doorlock Receiver with the correct values.
Vehicles Involved
Involved are certain 2008-2009 model year Pontiac G8 vehicles built within these VIN breakpoints:
Important
Dealers are to confirm vehicle eligibility prior to beginning repairs by using the GM Vehicle Inquiry System (GMVIS). Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.
For dealers with involved vehicles, a listing with involved vehicles containing the complete vehicle identification number, customer name, and address information has been prepared and will be provided through the GM GlobalConnect Recall Reports. Dealers will not have a report available if they have no involved vehicles currently assigned.
The listing may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any purpose other than follow-up necessary to complete this recall is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this report to the follow-up necessary to complete this recall.
Parts Information
No parts are required for this recall.
Service Procedure
Perform the following procedure to correct the TPM Pressure values.
Note
Do NOT reprogram the RCDLR as indicated in SI documents. Programming the RCDLR may result in additional unnecessary programming.
1. Inspect and adjust the tire pressure, if required. Refer to SI for tire specification information. Refer to Technical Service Bulletin 00-00-90-002J for information on proper tire pressure.
2. Connect Tech 2 (R) to vehicle.
3. Select Body.
4. Select appropriate HVAC as fitted.
5. Select Remote Control Door Lock Receiver.
6. Select F5: Module Set UP.
7. Select F2: Tire Type/Pressure Selection.
8. Select P-Metric Standard.
9. Select Front Tires - Select pressure value applicable to installed tire specification as shown on vehicle tire placard e.g., 250 kPa.
10. Press Enter.
11. Select P-Metric Standard.
12. Select Rear Tires - Select pressure value applicable to installed tire specification as shown on vehicle placard e.g., 270 kPa.
13. Confirmation screen will now be displayed. Confirm values entered and press Enter.
14. Provide the customer with a copy of the Customer TPMS Information below.
Dear GM Customer:
Customer care is at the top of our priority list at GM. We value our customers and want to make certain of a great ownership experience. To assist you in better understanding your vehicle, please make note of the following information relative to tire air pressure and the vehicle system that monitors air pressure performance.
Tire air pressure is a maintenance item in which the owner is responsible. Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) designed to provide you with adequate information to maintain proper tire air pressure. Proper tire air pressure is important to optimize safety, fuel economy, vehicle performance, and tire wear.
Changes in weather, including warm or cold outdoor temperatures, can cause air in your tires to expand or contract. Should this occur, your vehicle's TPMS may give you a low tire signal/alert along with the following message: Check Tire Pressure/Low Tire Pressure/Add Air To Tire.
Your GM Dealer has determined that the TPMS on your vehicle is working properly. The light will turn off upon adding the proper amount of air to the tires (per the Tire & Loading Information label in the driver's door opening) followed by driving the vehicle a short distance. The low tire light is similar to the low fuel indicator and adding fuel or air to the vehicle will turn off the light.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Why does my vehicle have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System?
A: Starting with the 2008 model year, all vehicles sold in the United States are equipped with tire pressure monitoring in order to meet the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 138 issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Some GM vehicles built prior to the 2008 model year or sold in Canada may also have a tire pressure monitoring system; check vehicle build option information to be sure.
Q: How does the Tire Pressure Monitoring System operate?
TPM Indicator Light
A: The system is designed to monitor tire air pressure and notify the driver when the tire pressure in any tire becomes too low. The system will turn on a yellow lighted graphic. If the air pressure remains low, each time the vehicle is restarted, the light will reappear, some vehicles may also display the following message: Check Tire Pressure/Low Tire Pressure/Add Air To Tire.
Q: What if my tire pressure light comes on and stays on solid with a Check Tire Pressure/Low Tire Pressure/Add Air to Tire message?
A: Simply add the proper amount of air to your tires. Refer to the Tire & Loading Information label in the driver door opening for the recommended tire pressures. Once the tires are properly filled with air, drive the vehicle and the message/light will go off.
Q: How would I know if the Tire Pressure Monitoring System was not working properly?
A: Each time the vehicle is started, the system's yellow light will appear. It will "blink" for one minute, then remain on solid. Some vehicles may also display the following message: Service Tire Monitor System. If this happens, visit a GM dealer for service.
For more information, refer to the Owner Manual or go to www.CheckMyTires.org.
Courtesy Transportation
The General Motors Courtesy Transportation program is intended to minimize customer inconvenience when a vehicle requires a repair that is covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranties. The availability of courtesy transportation to customers whose vehicles are within the warranty coverage period and involved in a product program is very important in maintaining customer satisfaction. Dealers are to ensure that these customers understand that shuttle service or some other form of courtesy transportation is available and will be provided at no charge. Dealers should refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual for Courtesy Transportation guidelines.
Claim Information
Submit a Product Recall Claim with the information indicated below:
Refer to the General Motors WINS Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Recall Claim Submission.
Customer Notification
General Motors will notify customers of this recall on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin).
Dealer Recall Responsibility
The US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides that each vehicle that is subject to a recall of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the customer has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time. If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the customer may be entitled to an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation. To avoid having to provide these burdensome remedies, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each customer and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. In the recall notification letters, customers are told how to contact the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if the recall is not completed within a reasonable time.
This bulletin is notice to you that the new motor vehicles included in this recall may not comply with the standard identified above. Under Title 49, Section 30112 of the United States Code, it is illegal for a dealer to sell a new motor vehicle which the dealer knows does not comply with an applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. As a consequence, if you sell any of these motor vehicles without first performing the recall correction, your dealership may be subject to a civil penalty for each such sale.
All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this recall must be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this recall bulletin before customers take possession of these vehicles.
Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this recall at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.
Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. A copy of the customer letter is provided in this bulletin for your use in contacting customers. Recall follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer may not as yet have received the notification letter.
In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
Disclaimer