Audi A3 E-tron Forum and Electric Vehicle News

I'm not sure, but what if there is a really slow leak in the tire(s)? So slow that it goes down 1psi every 2 or 3 days? You've probably already checked for this though.
I hope you get this resolved so you and you wife can thoroughly enjoy car without worry.

Hi Hangtime:
I haven't checked the tire pressure for about a week or more, but back when I was, they were all the same. Maybe I will check them again, to test your theory, but I think it's a bug. other owners have it and haven't had success even taking it to the dealer. I am getting used to it. Minor annoyance, though I suspect the TPMS isn't going to warn me if I DO get a puncture!

I just brought the car into the dealer, to have the TPMS error message checked. I will post the answer.

At least it only took 2 hours, but the technician couldn't find anything. They tell me the TPMS system is working, though, so that alleviates my concern that I wouldn't get a warning if I DID have a tire pressure problem. So I will continue to ignore the error message on startup!

After several TPMS error warnings on startup, I was driving the other day and got an actual "Sudden tire pressure drop" (can't remember the exact wording) warning and a yellow tire symbol. I drove to an air pump and topped up all the tires. (It's gotten very cold here lately, which accounts for a pressure drop) I continued to get the warning, even though all tires had been brought back up to the recommended pressure, so I called the dealer and was told to simply go into the Vehicle menu, go to Tire pressure and Save Now. Since then it's been fine.

I saw this old page which addressed the same problem on different, older Audi vehicles, but it's possible that the advice is still valid about the TPMS Malfunction warning being part of the startup self-check and safe to ignore. http://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/ti ... tion-audi/

Thanks sonnykeyes, but I haven't had a recurrence of the error message since I took it to the dealer. Maybe they fixed it, and don't even know it! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Well, you're luckier than me, I had the TPMS Malfunction error on startup again yesterday. I guess I'll just ignore it until it's time for my first service.

On Friday Jan 25th, I got the TPMS error again, for the first time since the trip to the dealer. So I guess they didn't fix it. At least I know that the system is working and I can ignore the message.

Two encounters with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System on my 2018 A3 e-tron, neither a cause for concern:

1. See https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/ ... 2-0001.pdf which describes a Tire Pressure Monitoring System error warning on startup. I had been encountering this error message occasionally since purchase (new) in 2019. Took to the dealer in 2022 since the warranty is ending soon, and tire pressures tested normal. The mechanic found this Audi Technical Service Bulletin 2059234/1 dated April 10, 2020 that applies to the vehicle, and responds to the issues raised in this thread. There is no fix/repair required. The TPMS warning on startup does go away after a moment. All good.

2. I also encountered a continuing error message - !!! TPMS warning showing in the bottom row of the instrument display. This started while out driving, and remained until attended to. I tested the tire pressure, all normal so no urgency and waited until taking to dealer for 10,000km service (cumulative after 3 years, probably don't really need a vehicle). Again, the dealer tested air pressure and all normal. Accordingly, I manually reset the TPMS using the MMI. Since then, no further !!!TPMS warning. The owners manual does mention that the system can malfunction for a variety of reasons, eg. sudden change in external air temperature.

Tentative conclusion: the TPMS is poor technology that provides a false sense of security, it's better to check tire pressure regularly, and it's probably safe to ignore the TPMS error warnings.

Of course, if you do get a flat tire warning, pull to a stop when safe and check it out!