System Communication

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Honda Insight and 2010 Honda Insight. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

When the vehicle is traveling more than 28 mph (45 km/h), an RF (radio frequency) band wave signal is transmitted from each tire pressure sensor to the control unit.
When the wheels rotate, the tire pressure sensors momentum is detected, switching them from sleep mode to normal function (awake) mode. After the vehicle is stationary for 5 minutes, the sensors switch from normal function mode back to sleep mode to extend their battery life.
Each tire pressure sensor has its own ID to prevent jamming by similar systems on other vehicles. After memorizing all the sensor IDs, the control unit recognizes only those specific signals.
An ID cannot be memorized automatically. The control unit knows which ID belongs to each tire pressure sensor. This recurring ID confirmation prevents any confusion in the system as a result of normal tire rotation.

NOTE: Be careful not to bend the brackets on the TPMS control unit. Misalignment of the control unit could interfere with sending and receiving signals.

Fig 1: Identifying Control Unit And Tire Pressure Sensor

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.