It's easy to reset the sensors but you'll need a way to refill the tires to the proper pressure when you're done.
(My previous car was a 2009 HHR and I was able to do this process by letting air out of each tire (after putting the system in learn mode) until the horn sounded starting at the driver's front tire. The parking light would light over each tire as I progressed around the car. When I got to the last tire, the horn sounded twice and the process ended. I guess GM scrapped that system for this one that only mentions using a relearn tool. I bought two of the on Amazon but I couldn't get either of them to work and donated them to a rummage sale at church.
I just did a little more looking around and it seems resetting the Malibu will work just as I described above. Watch this YouTube video to confirm:
How to program TPMS Sensors 2013 - 2015 Chevy Malibu no tool required
)
From my owner's manual:
TPMS Sensor Matching Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique identification code. The identification code needs to be matched to a new tire/wheel position after rotating the vehicle's tires or replacing one or more of the TPMS sensors. The TPMS sensor matching process should also be performed after replacing a spare tire with a road tire containing the TPMS sensor. The malfunction light and the DIC message should go off at the next ignition cycle. The sensors are matched to the tire/wheel positions, using a TPMS relearn tool, in the following order: driver side front tire, passenger side front tire, passenger side rear tire, and driver side rear. See your dealer for service or to purchase a relearn tool. A TPMS relearn tool can also be purchased. See Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor Activation Tool at www. gmtoolsandequipment. com or call 1-800-GM TOOLS (1-800-468-6657).
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.
The TPMS sensor matching process is:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off or place the vehicle power mode in ON/RUN/ START. See Ignition Positions
(Keyless Access) on page 9-14 or Ignition Positions (Key Access) on page 9-16.
3. Use the MENU button to select the Vehicle Information Menu in the Driver Information Center (DIC).
4. Use the thumbwheel to scroll to the Tire Pressure Menu Item screen.
5. Press the SET/CLR button to begin the sensor matching process. A message asking if the process should begin should appear.
6. Press the SET/CLR button again to confirm the selection. The horn sounds twice to signal the receiver is in relearn mode and the TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message displays on the DIC screen.
7. Start with the driver side front tire.
8. Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve stem. Then press the button to activate the TPMS sensor. A horn chirp confirms that the sensor identification code has been matched to this tire and wheel position.
9. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 8.
10. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 8.
11. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 8. The horn sounds two times to indicate the sensor identification code has been matched to the driver side rear tire, and the TPMS sensor matching process is no longer active. The TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message on the DIC display screen goes off.
12. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF or press STOP to turn the ignition off.
13. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure level as indicated on the Tire and Loading Information label.
(My previous car was a 2009 HHR and I was able to do this process by letting air out of each tire (after putting the system in learn mode) until the horn sounded starting at the driver's front tire. The parking light would light over each tire as I progressed around the car. When I got to the last tire, the horn sounded twice and the process ended. I guess GM scrapped that system for this one that only mentions using a relearn tool. I bought two of the on Amazon but I couldn't get either of them to work and donated them to a rummage sale at church.
I just did a little more looking around and it seems resetting the Malibu will work just as I described above. Watch this YouTube video to confirm:
How to program TPMS Sensors 2013 - 2015 Chevy Malibu no tool required
From my owner's manual:
TPMS Sensor Matching Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique identification code. The identification code needs to be matched to a new tire/wheel position after rotating the vehicle's tires or replacing one or more of the TPMS sensors. The TPMS sensor matching process should also be performed after replacing a spare tire with a road tire containing the TPMS sensor. The malfunction light and the DIC message should go off at the next ignition cycle. The sensors are matched to the tire/wheel positions, using a TPMS relearn tool, in the following order: driver side front tire, passenger side front tire, passenger side rear tire, and driver side rear. See your dealer for service or to purchase a relearn tool. A TPMS relearn tool can also be purchased. See Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor Activation Tool at www. gmtoolsandequipment. com or call 1-800-GM TOOLS (1-800-468-6657).
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.
The TPMS sensor matching process is:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off or place the vehicle power mode in ON/RUN/ START. See Ignition Positions
(Keyless Access) on page 9-14 or Ignition Positions (Key Access) on page 9-16.
3. Use the MENU button to select the Vehicle Information Menu in the Driver Information Center (DIC).
4. Use the thumbwheel to scroll to the Tire Pressure Menu Item screen.
5. Press the SET/CLR button to begin the sensor matching process. A message asking if the process should begin should appear.
6. Press the SET/CLR button again to confirm the selection. The horn sounds twice to signal the receiver is in relearn mode and the TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message displays on the DIC screen.
7. Start with the driver side front tire.
8. Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve stem. Then press the button to activate the TPMS sensor. A horn chirp confirms that the sensor identification code has been matched to this tire and wheel position.
9. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 8.
10. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 8.
11. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 8. The horn sounds two times to indicate the sensor identification code has been matched to the driver side rear tire, and the TPMS sensor matching process is no longer active. The TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message on the DIC display screen goes off.
12. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF or press STOP to turn the ignition off.
13. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure level as indicated on the Tire and Loading Information label.
