Tire pressure sensor calibration - again!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs CO
Tire pressure sensor calibration - again!
Sorry to repeat this, but I am truly confused. Just read an article in Corvette Enthusiast about tire comparisons, and they discussed how to recalibrate the tire sensors on a C5 (and said it was necessary to do so if you changed wheels). I changed wheels on my C6, and now I have a 4-6 psi pressure differential between my tire gauge and the tire sensors. I posted this on this forum and was convinced I didn't need to recalibrate my tire sensors, but now I am wondering if that is correct. So my question: is the C6 tire sensor system/computer changed from the C5 such that there is no need to recalibrate the tire sensors if you switch wheels? It seems like an easy procedure on the C5 (do it by resetting the DIC and then using a magnet around each sensor until DIC tells you its recaled), but I was wondering if GM changed this on the C6 (like they did away with being able to pull your error codes up on the DIC). Any help would be greatly appreciated! 
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
The way I understand it is that you are NOT calibrating the sensors, all you are doing is identifying their location (i.e., LF, RF, etc). The procedure to identify the sensors is different for the C6, it requires a specific tool designed for the C6. The magnets that work on a C5 will not work on a C6.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Originally Posted by fenderowner
Sorry to repeat this, but I am truly confused. Just read an article in Corvette Enthusiast about tire comparisons, and they discussed how to recalibrate the tire sensors on a C5 (and said it was necessary to do so if you changed wheels). I changed wheels on my C6, and now I have a 4-6 psi pressure differential between my tire gauge and the tire sensors. I posted this on this forum and was convinced I didn't need to recalibrate my tire sensors, but now I am wondering if that is correct. So my question: is the C6 tire sensor system/computer changed from the C5 such that there is no need to recalibrate the tire sensors if you switch wheels? It seems like an easy procedure on the C5 (do it by resetting the DIC and then using a magnet around each sensor until DIC tells you its recaled), but I was wondering if GM changed this on the C6 (like they did away with being able to pull your error codes up on the DIC). Any help would be greatly appreciated!
email. $200 shipped CorvetteForum price.
Scot Holloway
TPMS Product Manager
Bartec USA, LLC
6543 Arrow Drive
Sterling Heights, MI 48314
(586) 685-1300
Cell: (586) 524-1507
Email: sholloway@bartecusa.com
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
Originally Posted by fenderowner
Sorry to repeat this, but I am truly confused. Just read an article in Corvette Enthusiast about tire comparisons, and they discussed how to recalibrate the tire sensors on a C5 (and said it was necessary to do so if you changed wheels). I changed wheels on my C6, and now I have a 4-6 psi pressure differential between my tire gauge and the tire sensors. I posted this on this forum and was convinced I didn't need to recalibrate my tire sensors, but now I am wondering if that is correct. So my question: is the C6 tire sensor system/computer changed from the C5 such that there is no need to recalibrate the tire sensors if you switch wheels? It seems like an easy procedure on the C5 (do it by resetting the DIC and then using a magnet around each sensor until DIC tells you its recaled), but I was wondering if GM changed this on the C6 (like they did away with being able to pull your error codes up on the DIC). Any help would be greatly appreciated!
All the training sequence does is identify to the car which corner of the car has which sensor. This is only necessary if you replace a sensor or move it to a different corner of the car.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
Originally Posted by MSammet
Bartec makes the reset tool for the C6. Here is the contact info. You have to call them. They didn't always answer
email. $200 shipped CorvetteForum price.
Scot Holloway
TPMS Product Manager
Bartec USA, LLC
6543 Arrow Drive
Sterling Heights, MI 48314
(586) 685-1300
Cell: (586) 524-1507
Email: sholloway@bartecusa.com
email. $200 shipped CorvetteForum price.
Scot Holloway
TPMS Product Manager
Bartec USA, LLC
6543 Arrow Drive
Sterling Heights, MI 48314
(586) 685-1300
Cell: (586) 524-1507
Email: sholloway@bartecusa.com
It appears I have two blown front sensors, and getting the run around from dealer due to custom wheels. (All were working fine for months, and two rear still register)
I also seem to have found a slight loophole with these sensors. As long as the same sensor is put in the same position (ie. left/front , right/front, right/rear, left/rear) and you disconnnect the battery for 24 hours, it seems to research for them. All 4 showed -0- on initial startup, and within 15 minutes the two rear re-registered correct pressure. The two front (suspected bad sensors) simply went from xx to -0- and stayed that way ever since. The benefit was that I dont have the "tire sensor monitor service" issue come up on the DIC at each startup.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,457
Likes: 144
From: NC
Yep, the bartec tool is no longer available for that price. Fenderowner, if you did not put the original sensors back into their original points on the car (ie left front, right front, right rear, left rear, then they will need to be re-initialized. If they are in different spots then the DIC may show the left front as 30lbs when in fact it is really the right rear since the left front sensor is now in the right rear location (this is an example, could be various ways). The magnet trick no longer works on the C6.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs CO
Originally Posted by cerino2000
Yep, the bartec tool is no longer available for that price. Fenderowner, if you did not put the original sensors back into their original points on the car (ie left front, right front, right rear, left rear, then they will need to be re-initialized. If they are in different spots then the DIC may show the left front as 30lbs when in fact it is really the right rear since the left front sensor is now in the right rear location (this is an example, could be various ways). The magnet trick no longer works on the C6.
Last edited by fenderowner; Jan 5, 2006 at 02:15 PM.
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Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 207
From: Olathe KS
Originally Posted by MSammet
Bartec makes the reset tool for the C6. Here is the contact info. You have to call them. They didn't always answer
email. $200 shipped CorvetteForum price.
Scot Holloway
TPMS Product Manager
Bartec USA, LLC
6543 Arrow Drive
Sterling Heights, MI 48314
(586) 685-1300
Cell: (586) 524-1507
Email: sholloway@bartecusa.com
email. $200 shipped CorvetteForum price.
Scot Holloway
TPMS Product Manager
Bartec USA, LLC
6543 Arrow Drive
Sterling Heights, MI 48314
(586) 685-1300
Cell: (586) 524-1507
Email: sholloway@bartecusa.com
It's just a matter of time.
As infrequently as these need to be used (when swapping wheels/rims, etc.), another solution would be for a pool of Forum members to get together and buy one tool to share amongst say 4 or 5 guys, bringing the per person cost back down. It could be shipped to and from members...the problem would be "who had it last"....
Or just get the dealer to do it gratis. Sounds like a 5 minute exercise.
-CKB
Last edited by bub; Jan 7, 2006 at 08:24 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 247
Likes: 3
From: Northern NJ
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by PaBlueCoupe
Question. When I get a second set of wheels can I go to my dealer and have them initialized, and then swap sets without further issues? 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Originally Posted by Killrwheels@Autogeek
unfortunately they do NOT offer this unit any longer, forum or not. The cheapest unit currently is 350.00 with no forum discount. I tried to purchase one thru Scott during the holidays, but he chose to simply answer an email question and move on. Probably the holidays, but I expected more when a consumer is purchasing a machine that might be used 4-6 times over its life. (personal use, not technician unit needed)
It appears I have two blown front sensors, and getting the run around from dealer due to custom wheels. (All were working fine for months, and two rear still register)
I also seem to have found a slight loophole with these sensors. As long as the same sensor is put in the same position (ie. left/front , right/front, right/rear, left/rear) and you disconnnect the battery for 24 hours, it seems to research for them. All 4 showed -0- on initial startup, and within 15 minutes the two rear re-registered correct pressure. The two front (suspected bad sensors) simply went from xx to -0- and stayed that way ever since. The benefit was that I dont have the "tire sensor monitor service" issue come up on the DIC at each startup.
It appears I have two blown front sensors, and getting the run around from dealer due to custom wheels. (All were working fine for months, and two rear still register)
I also seem to have found a slight loophole with these sensors. As long as the same sensor is put in the same position (ie. left/front , right/front, right/rear, left/rear) and you disconnnect the battery for 24 hours, it seems to research for them. All 4 showed -0- on initial startup, and within 15 minutes the two rear re-registered correct pressure. The two front (suspected bad sensors) simply went from xx to -0- and stayed that way ever since. The benefit was that I dont have the "tire sensor monitor service" issue come up on the DIC at each startup.
That bites
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Originally Posted by Killrwheels@Autogeek
I also seem to have found a slight loophole with these sensors. As long as the same sensor is put in the same position (ie. left/front , right/front, right/rear, left/rear) and you disconnnect the battery for 24 hours, it seems to research for them. All 4 showed -0- on initial startup, and within 15 minutes the two rear re-registered correct pressure. The two front (suspected bad sensors) simply went from xx to -0- and stayed that way ever since. The benefit was that I dont have the "tire sensor monitor service" issue come up on the DIC at each startup.
What a deal ! I hate the damn things anyway. I keep a good gauge (Milton) in the car and check the tires no less than once a week.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Bartlesville Oklahoma
Here is a cheaper one
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 207
From: Olathe KS
Originally Posted by dgcarver
Questions:
1) Has anyone sucessfully used it with C6 sensors?
2) How do you put the car into TPMS "learn mode"?
Is the learn procedure actually somewhere buried in the Owner's manual, or only in the service manual? I suspect only the service manual, as I don't recall anything this technically useful in the Owner's manual...just "how to fasten your seatbelts" for 50% of the content...thanks to our lawyer friends.
If someone has the TPMS learn procedure from the service manual for an '05, please post.
-CKB
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 247
Likes: 3
From: Northern NJ
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by dgcarver
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 207
From: Olathe KS
Is that $500 for the full bells and whistles "Pro" version, or will just the "Basic" version work?
Pricing and product line is unclear on website. You have to download brochure, and even then pricing is not indicated. Looks like they're shopping for wholesalers, more than just internet buyers like you and me.
Calling for pricing is BS, and the $95 listed in the LH corner of the webpage is misleading, as it is just for some printed manual
, not the tool itself I guess. 
Maybe the Bartec is not so bad after all.
We need the $200 deal again.
-CKB
Pricing and product line is unclear on website. You have to download brochure, and even then pricing is not indicated. Looks like they're shopping for wholesalers, more than just internet buyers like you and me.
Calling for pricing is BS, and the $95 listed in the LH corner of the webpage is misleading, as it is just for some printed manual
, not the tool itself I guess. Maybe the Bartec is not so bad after all.
We need the $200 deal again.
-CKB
Last edited by bub; Jan 8, 2006 at 10:26 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 207
From: Olathe KS
I sent these "Tipstool" guys an e-mail with link to this post and some questions.
I asked the following:
1) Will their "basic" tool work with C6 sensors?
2) Is so, can "Tipstool" offer their "Basic" tool at $100 (or at least something < Bartec's $200 again) for the C6
Will advise when/if I get a reply.
Bartec...you have mail...
-CKB
I asked the following:
1) Will their "basic" tool work with C6 sensors?
2) Is so, can "Tipstool" offer their "Basic" tool at $100 (or at least something < Bartec's $200 again) for the C6
Will advise when/if I get a reply.
Bartec...you have mail...
-CKB
Last edited by bub; Jan 8, 2006 at 10:36 AM.
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
TPM Tools
Everyone, sorry for the delayed response.
The special offer, $200 for our DXR+, was a limitted offer on a tool that we no longer make. It will work on many Schrader style TPM sensors inlcuding 05 and 06 Corvette.
The new TPM tool is $348 for a single tool. This tool works on ALL Schrader sensors (as well as others), including Corvette. GM and Schrader eliminated the magnet activation sensor with MY05.
I have been told that a certain other tool, mentioned in here, does not activate the 06 vette sensor. I haven't tested that, so I cannot confirm or deny.
Our tool is priced lower than any tool currently on the market that works on multiple vehicle types.
Sorry for any confusion.
As for sensor function, when programming a car with TPM sensors, all that is being done is the uniques sensor i.d. is written into the TPM module. Some cars can learn new sensors, others have to be "forced." It is my understanding that Corvettes need to be "forced" or programmed.
If the OEM sensors are "re-used" on the aftermarket wheel, you do not have to re-program. New sensors = reprogramming.
Scot
Bartec USA
(586)685-1300
The special offer, $200 for our DXR+, was a limitted offer on a tool that we no longer make. It will work on many Schrader style TPM sensors inlcuding 05 and 06 Corvette.
The new TPM tool is $348 for a single tool. This tool works on ALL Schrader sensors (as well as others), including Corvette. GM and Schrader eliminated the magnet activation sensor with MY05.
I have been told that a certain other tool, mentioned in here, does not activate the 06 vette sensor. I haven't tested that, so I cannot confirm or deny.
Our tool is priced lower than any tool currently on the market that works on multiple vehicle types.
Sorry for any confusion.
As for sensor function, when programming a car with TPM sensors, all that is being done is the uniques sensor i.d. is written into the TPM module. Some cars can learn new sensors, others have to be "forced." It is my understanding that Corvettes need to be "forced" or programmed.
If the OEM sensors are "re-used" on the aftermarket wheel, you do not have to re-program. New sensors = reprogramming.
Scot
Bartec USA
(586)685-1300
