Maintaining proper tire pressure is crucial for your safety, fuel efficiency, and tire longevity. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) in your 2014 Chevy High Country is designed to alert you when your tire pressure is low. Sometimes, after tire rotations or sensor replacements, you’ll need to reset or “relearn” the TPMS sensors. You might be wondering if this requires a scan tool and where to even use one. The good news is, for a basic TPMS relearn on your 2014 Chevy High Country, you likely don’t need a scan tool. This guide will walk you through the simple, manual TPMS relearn procedure, and touch upon when a scan tool might be helpful.
Understanding the TPMS Relearn Process on Your Chevy High Country
Your 2014 Chevy High Country uses sensors in each wheel to monitor tire pressure. When these sensors are moved (like during a tire rotation) or replaced, the vehicle’s computer needs to “relearn” their new positions. This ensures the system accurately reports which tire is low. The relearn process involves activating each sensor in a specific sequence so the vehicle can identify them.
While advanced diagnostic scan tools can definitely interact with the TPMS system, including triggering relearns and diagnosing sensor issues, Chevrolet has also equipped your High Country with a user-friendly manual relearn procedure. This means you can often complete this process yourself without any special equipment.
Step-by-Step Guide to Manually Relearn TPMS Sensors
Here’s how to perform the TPMS sensor relearn procedure on your 2014 Chevy High Country without a scan tool:
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Engage the Parking Brake: Ensure your vehicle is safely parked and the parking brake is firmly set.
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Turn Ignition to ON/RUN: Turn your key to the “ON” or “RUN” position in the ignition. Do not start the engine.
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Enter Relearn Mode: This step varies slightly depending on your Chevy High Country’s features:
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With Remote Keyless Entry (RKE): Simultaneously press and hold both the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on your key fob for about five seconds. You should hear two horn chirps, and the Driver Information Center (DIC) screen will display “TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE.”
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Without RKE, but with DIC Buttons: Use the Driver Information Center (DIC) buttons, typically located on your steering wheel or dashboard, to navigate through the menu. Press the vehicle information button until you see “PRESS V TO RELEARN TIRE POSITIONS” displayed on the DIC. Then, press the “Set/Reset” button (often labeled with a checkmark or “V”) to initiate relearn mode. You will hear two horn chirps and see “TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE” on the DIC.
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Without RKE or DIC Buttons: If your vehicle has neither RKE nor DIC buttons, locate the trip odometer reset stem on your instrument panel cluster. Press and hold this stem until the message “PRESS V TO RELEARN TIRE POSITIONS” appears on the display. Again, you’ll hear two horn chirps and see “TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE.”
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Start with Driver’s Side Front Tire: Begin the sensor activation process at the driver’s side front tire.
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Activate the First Sensor: Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem. To activate the TPMS sensor, you need to either increase or decrease the tire’s air pressure for about five seconds. You will hear a horn chirp (this may take up to 30 seconds). This chirp confirms that the sensor identification code has been successfully matched to this tire position.
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Proceed to Passenger Side Front Tire: Move to the passenger side front tire and repeat the sensor activation procedure described in Step 5.
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Passenger Side Rear Tire: Repeat the process on the passenger side rear tire (Step 5).
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Driver’s Side Rear Tire: Finally, repeat the activation process for the driver’s side rear tire (Step 5). After activating this last sensor, you should hear two horn chirps. This indicates that the TPMS sensor matching process is complete, and the “TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE” message on the DIC screen will turn off.
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Turn Ignition OFF: Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK/OFF” position.
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Inflate Tires to Recommended Pressure: Adjust all four tires to the recommended air pressure level as indicated on the sticker located on your driver’s side doorjamb or in your owner’s manual.
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Reinstall Valve Caps: Replace the valve caps on all tire valve stems.
When Might You Need a Scan Tool for TPMS?
While the manual relearn procedure is effective for most common situations like tire rotations, there are instances where a scan tool becomes necessary:
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Sensor Replacement: If you replace a TPMS sensor with a new aftermarket sensor, it might need to be programmed to be compatible with your Chevy High Country’s system. Some aftermarket sensors are pre-programmed, but others require programming via a scan tool. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) sensors are usually pre-programmed.
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Diagnostic Purposes: If you are experiencing persistent TPMS issues, like a warning light that won’t go away or inaccurate readings, a scan tool can help diagnose the problem. Scan tools can read sensor data, identify faulty sensors, and pinpoint communication issues within the TPMS system.
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Advanced Features: Some advanced scan tools offer features beyond basic relearn, such as displaying live sensor data (pressure, temperature, battery status), and performing system tests.
Regarding “Scan Tool Location”: It’s important to clarify that “scan tool location” typically refers to the OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics II) port in your vehicle. This is the standard connector where diagnostic scan tools are plugged in. On a 2014 Chevy High Country, the OBD-II port is usually located under the dashboard on the driver’s side. However, for the manual TPMS relearn procedure described above, you do not need to locate or use the OBD-II port or a scan tool.
Conclusion
For basic TPMS relearn needs on your 2014 Chevy High Country after tire rotations or some sensor replacements (especially with OEM sensors), the manual procedure is usually sufficient and eliminates the need for a scan tool. By following these simple steps, you can ensure your TPMS system remains accurate and continues to keep you informed about your tire pressures. However, for more complex TPMS issues, sensor programming, or advanced diagnostics, a scan tool may become a valuable tool for proper vehicle maintenance.
