TPMS Retrofit

Rjw76

Rjw76

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Hi all, I'm considering buying the TPMS retrofit kit from Kufatec (for my A3 8V) - on the website it advises a 4 hr instillation time. From experience these retrofits tend to take me quite a bit longer than they suggest on the website as it's the first time I've done that particular job! Has anyone else done this retrofit themselves who can give me an idea of how complicated this is to do? I'm not asking for a guide (the kit comes with an instillation guide, but that's only available after purchasing the kit), just opinions on complexity of this.

Thanks very much.
 
Rjw76 said:
Hi all, I'm considering buying the TPMS retrofit kit from Kufatec (for my A3 8V) - on the website it advises a 4 hr instillation time. From experience these retrofits tend to take me quite a bit longer than they suggest on the website as it's the first time I've done that particular job! Has anyone else done this retrofit themselves who can give me an idea of how complicated this is to do? I'm not asking for a guide (the kit comes with an instillation guide, but that's only available after purchasing the kit), just opinions on complexity of this.

Thanks very much.
Click to expand...

I did it on my FL RS3.

You’ll find the canbus wires in the passenger side footwell.

You need a 12v / earth

Then run the canbus cable down the car to the boot.

On oem it’s actually mounted on the rear right under the car, I put mine in the left hand side of the boot, there’s a removal section where you access the rear light cluster.

Then coding is required to tell the car you have it.


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Kufatec instructions are at times like dot to dot without numbers.......

Check your car supports tpms 1st as abs controllers need to have pr code, coding ability if its abs version, usually eu is, usa has module wheel sensor version fitted.
 
audi upgrades
I would factor in a day. After coding you need to drive the car for a while (maybe 50 miles IIRC, your experience may vary) because the sensors won't report anything

It's not particularly difficult to do, the longest bit is routing the wires and getting the terminal into the back of the fuse box was a bit fiddly.
 
How would you go about fitting the sensors into the tire valves? would a standard tire shop do it for you?
 
Retrofitting the proper TPMS system would require the wheel sensors otherwise what is the point? kufatec includes the four wheel sensors.

Scope of Delivery:
  • control part
  • cable set
  • control unit
  • 4 wheel sensors
  • coding dongle
 
Boydie said:
Its done off the ABS and not tyre sensors

TBH not worth the hassle.
Click to expand...
audi uses two different system - one that utilises the ABS sensors and one that uses individual tyre sensors. Kauftec kit is the later and which allows individual pressures and temps to be displayed in the mmi.

i looked into to this for my S5 and the recommendaction was to get the local tyre shop to fit th3 valves - suggested price was about £10 per wheel.
 
What are th3 valves?

I have a 2014 1.8tfsi Quattro that’s fully loaded but no tpms. I regularly suffer from tyre pressure loss despite replacing tyres and having my alloys scrubbed and polished.

I’ve heard retro fitting tpms is risky but is there an alternative 3rd party solution that anyone can recommend?


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Gemrom said:
What are th3 valves?

I have a 2014 1.8tfsi Quattro that’s fully loaded but no tpms. I regularly suffer from tyre pressure loss despite replacing tyres and having my alloys scrubbed and polished.

I’ve heard retro fitting tpms is risky but is there an alternative 3rd party solution that anyone can recommend?


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Click to expand...
picture below - these are used instead of the usual valve
1649510928702
 
Gemrom said:
What are th3 valves?

I have a 2014 1.8tfsi Quattro that’s fully loaded but no tpms. I regularly suffer from tyre pressure loss despite replacing tyres and having my alloys scrubbed and polished.

I’ve heard retro fitting tpms is risky but is there an alternative 3rd party solution that anyone can recommend?


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Click to expand...
Fitting tpms isn't going to solve your issue.

I'd suggest you've an anomaly in your bead seat or just bad valves leaking air.
 
I bought an Audi TPMS module from Ali Express (pre-coded) along with the matching VAG TPMS sensors for about £130 shipped (FedEx) and it works really well. @DJAlix fitted it and calibrated it all for me whilst I had an amazing slap-up breakfast in his local café. I had the TPMS valves installed by my local tyre place before visiting DJAlix.

Great service and super knowledgeable. Been perfect ever since.

D6-A780-E4-450-F-4553-929-D-326297-DA5-EB7.jpg


9-A75-DE0-E-A917-424-D-8-E72-B3-E8633-B2-FC0.jpg


22-E835-F3-F8-B9-48-BB-A8-CB-8917-E51-D8524.jpg


74669327-2077-4-B0-D-B543-FCE240-CF355-F.jpg
 
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That looks awesome S3mad_dude and I am tempted. Thanks for the reply!


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What do you guys do with winter wheels after this retrofit? Another set of valves?
 
Gemrom said:
What are th3 valves?

I have a 2014 1.8tfsi Quattro that’s fully loaded but no tpms. I regularly suffer from tyre pressure loss despite replacing tyres and having my alloys scrubbed and polished.

I’ve heard retro fitting tpms is risky but is there an alternative 3rd party solution that anyone can recommend?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Gemron, why is it supposed to be ‘risky’?
 
NHN said:
Kufatec instructions are at times like dot to dot without numbers.......

Check your car supports tpms 1st as abs controllers need to have pr code, coding ability if its abs version, usually eu is, usa has module wheel sensor version fitted.
Click to expand...
How does the abs measure the tyre pressure?
 
Rjw76 said:
How does the abs measure the tyre pressure?
Click to expand...
the abs system measures changes in pressure rather than the actual pressures themselves. The circumference of a tyre changes with pressure and the abs system measures each wheels rotational speed.

You calibrate the system by telling it when the tyres are at the correct pressure and then if the pressure drops the rotational speed of the wheel changes and the system uses this to alert the driver.
 
Frizzley said:
the abs system measures changes in pressure rather than the actual pressures themselves. The circumference of a tyre changes with pressure and the abs system measures each wheels rotational speed.

You calibrate the system by telling it when the tyres are at the correct pressure and then if the pressure drops the rotational speed of the wheel changes and the system uses this to alert the driver.
Click to expand...
Ah yes, I see. This is what I already have, I didn’t realise that’s what you were referring to. Thanks.
 
AlS3BE said:
Will it need recoding every time I swap wheels?
Click to expand...

Just press Store pressures in the MMI menu.

After 5 / 10 mins it’ll pick up the winter sensors.

Top tip, I bought my winter sensors online, from a 3rd party supplier.


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Looks like a fairly straightforward and inexpensive retrofit; four sensors on the wheels (tyre shop would do this for you quite cheaply), then the module which has four wire to connect (two to power and two to the extended can bus) and some coding - total cost probably around £200-300 I would imagine. I think I might try this myself, always looking for my next retrofit :)
 
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8YARWY said:
I bought from these as they supply pre-coded sets. Also available in silver stems.

Audi A3 (8V) (12-20) TPMS Tyre Pressure Sensors - SET OF 4 - BLACK STEM - PRE-CODED - Ready to Fit

Audi A3 (8V) (12-20) TPMS Tyre Pressure Sensors - SET OF 4 - BLACK STEM - PRE-CODED - Ready to Fit
www.ukpartsdirect.com www.ukpartsdirect.com


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Click to expand...
That’s a really good point about the valve stem colour - I have silver wheels at the moment, but considering having them powder coated black… guess I should decide that before buying the valves!
 
Good afternoon. My TPMS kit has now arrived which I’ll be fitting this weekend. Having looked at the manual, it says to install the bracket onto 2 bolts located behind the rear wheel. My car doesn’t have those bolts in place, so I was wondering if I need to still place it in that exact area, or can I mount the bracket inside the boot/wheel arch (which would be much easier anyway) - has anyone else done this? Can the receiving control unit still communicate with the values inside the boot?

Thanks!
 
Rjw76 said:
Good afternoon. My TPMS kit has now arrived which I’ll be fitting this weekend. Having looked at the manual, it says to install the bracket onto 2 bolts located behind the rear wheel. My car doesn’t have those bolts in place, so I was wondering if I need to still place it in that exact area, or can I mount the bracket inside the boot/wheel arch (which would be much easier anyway) - has anyone else done this? Can the receiving control unit still communicate with the values inside the boot?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I put mine in the rear boot area.


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Rjw76 said:
Good afternoon. My TPMS kit has now arrived which I’ll be fitting this weekend. Having looked at the manual, it says to install the bracket onto 2 bolts located behind the rear wheel. My car doesn’t have those bolts in place, so I was wondering if I need to still place it in that exact area, or can I mount the bracket inside the boot/wheel arch (which would be much easier anyway) - has anyone else done this? Can the receiving control unit still communicate with the values inside the boot?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

This is where factory install the module.

Doesn’t need to go there to work though.

In the boot behind the left hand trim is where I’ve fitted them, no issues with functionality either, and better than being exposed to road elements too.

270ffa3c488f2c7917efe6cac447f841.jpg



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Mine is also located in the rear boot compartment for the same reasons already mentioned above. I wouldn’t bother installing in the “factory” position if I were you.
 
Thanks for your answers guys... I actually haven't got round to fitting it yet, but will do over the next couple of weekends. Hopefully without too many issues!
 
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