Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Tire pressure monitoring system
Introduction
The tire pressure monitoring system monitors air pressure in oil four road wheels and the spare tire while the vehicle is moving.
As soon as the tire pressure monitoring system senses a significant loss of air pressure in one or several tires, text messages and yellow symbols appear in the instrument cluster display to alert the driver. The system continuously receives radio signals from sensors located inside each tire.
Be aware that tire pressure is also dependent on the temperature of the tire. For every 18°F (10°C) increase in tire temperature, tire pressure increases by about 1.5 psi (0.1 bar). The tire warms up while the vehicle is moving and tire pressure rises. So you should adjust tire pressure only when they are cold, when tire temperature is roughly the same as ambient air temperature.
In order to keep the tire pressure monitoring system properly calibrated, tire pressure on all four tires should be checked at regular intervals, adjusted if necessary and saved in the proper setting.
You can find the recommended cold inflation pressure for your tires on the label on the door pillar when you open the driver's door.
WARNING
When the tire pressure monitoring system warning light is lit, one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. You should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure as indicated on the vehicle's tire pressure label. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also is likely to impair the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Do not adjust tire pressure when tire temperature is excessive. This could lead to serious tire damage and even cause the tire to burst, with the additional danger of an accident.
For the sake of the environment
Driving with under-inflated tires reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life.
Tips
- The tire pressure monitoring system helps the driver to keep track of the tire pressures. But the driver still has the responsibility for maintaining the correct tire pressure.
- Tire pressure must only be adjusted when the temperature of the tires is about the same as ambient air temperature.
- When tires are replaced, the sensors and valves must not be detached or exchanged. Only the valve core needs to be replaced and, if necessary, the valve and the wheel electronics replaced.
Significant loss of air pressure
The yellow symbol appears in the event of a significant loss of air pressure.
When the (!) warning light in the instrument cluster illuminates and then the low tire pressure symbol appears, the tire pressure in one or several tires is too low.
- Stop the vehicle.
- Inspect the tire or tires.
- Change the tire if necessary.
The (!) warning light in the instrument cluster illuminates when:
- the tire pressure is 7 psi (0.5 bar) lower than it should be,
- the tire pressure falls below 23 psi (1.6 bar).
- the tire pressure is 25% lower than what is specified on the tire pressure label.
The following text message will appear in the center display along with the low tire pressure symbol: "Please check tire pressure".
After a few seconds, the message is replaced by the regular display. If you would like to show the message again, press the "CHECK" button.
Tips
- In the case of an intentional loss of air pressure, for example, when re-adjusting tire pressure, the adjusted pressure has to be stored.
- Tire pressure must only be adjusted when the temperature of the tires is about the same as ambient air temperature.
Adjusting and storing the tire pressure (step 1)
Only when the specified pressure is properly entered into the system, is the tire pressure monitoring system properly calibrated for accurate indications.
In order for the tire pressure monitoring system to operate accurately, you have to re-save the specified pressures whenever you adjust tire pressure, for example, when the load condition of your vehicle changes. Proceed as follows:
Correct tire pressure
- Check the pressure in the tires (including the spare tire.)
- Adjust the air pressure as needed in accordance with the information on the tire pressure label.
Reset the system
- Push the "MENU" button in the center console.
- Press the turn-switch to select "Set" option.
Storing the adjusting tire pressure (step2)
- Turn the switch to scroll to "tire pressure", then push it.
- Press the switch again to select "Store pressures".
Following each intentional change in specified pressures, the adjusted tire pressure must be entered and confirmed again.
After you have saved the tire pressures, the system will measure the actual pressures once again, and then save these as the new pressures.
Tips
You can find the recommended cold inflation tire pressure on the label attached to the door pillar on the driver's side.
Changing a wheel
When you change a wheel the new tire must be initialized.
- Activate and proceed through the menu as specified in step 1.
- Select Wheel change in the Tire pressure menu.
Your tire change is incomplete if you do not access the Driver Information System menu and select and confirm Wheel change. You must do this each time to change a tire. The procedure can take up to 20 minutes. During this time, the sensors are readjusting to the new wheel/tire combination and the monitoring system is operating at reduced sensitivity. It only warns when tire pressure drops below the minimum permissible specified pressure. If this is the case, the warning symbol appears together with the message Tire pressure!
During the learning phase, the tire pressure monitoring system performs only is only partially available. It only warns when tire pressure drops below the minimum permissible specified pressure.
Malfunctions
A malfunction can have various causes.
If the tire pressure monitoring system is not available, the tire symbol. This can have various causes.
- If the message appears at the end of the learning phase, the system cannot recognize the wheels installed on the vehicle. This can be because one or more wheels without a wheel sensor were installed.
- A wheel sensor or other component may have failed.
- The system has detected more than 5 wheels in the vehicle, for example when transporting additional winter tires.
- A tire was changed but the "Changing a wheel" procedure was not performed.
- If snow chains are being used, signal transmission between sensors and system may be interrupted due to the shielding properties of the chains.
- The system is not available due to a malfunction.
- Other transmitting devices with the same frequency, for example, headphones with integrated radio or other transmitters, are emitting an electro-magnetic field which can cause a temporary interference with the system.
- Try to find the cause of the interference, and then perform the "Changing a wheel" procedure one more time. It this not eliminate the problem, contact your authorized Audi dealer for assistance.