JLoft

I’m writing this with the intention of creating a how-to for retrofit of direct TPMS. All Audis (with the exception of RS models) now come with indirect TPMS that uses the ABS sensors to monitor tire rotational speed and look for any outlier tire indicative of low pressure. It works well, but in last winter’s super cold gave me a number of false warnings. That drove me nuts – always having to stop to check.

The RS5 has direct TPMS (in the US optional in 2018, standard in 2019) that uses sensors in the wheels and sends the pressures (and tire temperature) to a receiver to display on the instrument cluster. I want that for my S5. I know it can be done. My research found a number places for info, but all were either somewhat incomplete or for other Audi models.

My thread start here is to present what I’ve found with the intent of it being critiqued and added to by others so we end up with a full retrofit guide. I usually don’t do “kits” from suppliers so I will assemble all I need myself. Here’s what I have documented so far.

Parts required:
4x TPMS Wheel Sensors. Audi part number 5Q0 907 275B
1x TPMS Antenna. Audi part number 8S0 907 273. Must be parameterized for S5 prior to install.
1x Wiring harness. Custom made. Available complete from suppliers
1x Antenna holder (plastic). Audi part number 4E0 810 675B
1x Antenna bracket (metal). Audi part number 8W6 907 324A
1x 10mm lock nut
2x 6mm lock nuts
1x Wire with terminal for fuse box. Audi part number 000 979 021E or 000 979 133.
Some cable ties
Plastic wiring tubing

I’m getting the parts from good suppliers in Europe and the cost is about $300. Add another set of four sensors if you have a second set of winter wheels. Buying from your Audi dealer will be substantially more (lots more).

Install:

Wheel sensors are installed by a tire shop to replace the regular valve stems. No programming is needed. The wheel sensors have a battery life of over ten years.

The antenna (receiver) mounts under the car on the right side of the rear crossmember near the swaybar. The metal bracket mounting seems to be tricky because of tight quarters. The plastic one mounts to that, and the antenna to that. Contrary to early direct TPMS designs, now only one antenna is needed – it senses which tire is which by signal strength.

Some documentation says to just place the antenna by the spare tire and not to go underneath. That might actually work, but I’d imagine the metal floor degrades the signal reception to some extent.

The antenna needs to be parameterized for the S5 before install. Some suppliers can do this. It can’t be done with VCDS or OBDeleven. I also have Vag Can Pro (VCP) and I think it can be done with that, but I’m unsure how.

Connect cable to the antenna and run the cable up though the rubber grommet into the cabin just behind the rear seats. I have a 2018 sportback and can see this from the top without removing the jack box. 2019 sportback will be different. Evidently coupes are easy to do this from the top. Underneath the car wrap the wiring with the plastic tubing. Cable tie in place to the bracket.

Up above, route the cable to the rear left and connect to power, ground, and two CANBUS locations.

Pin 2 (as connected to antenna) is +12V. I hate fuse taps so I will connect to the factory fuse position, upper right fuse panel (brown) position 6, 5A fuse. As it’s currently blank add the terminal and connect to the wire harness.
Pin 4 is Ground. Need to find a ground.
Pin 1 is CAN bus ext L (orange/brown). Attach to brown 16-pos connector in left trunk near taillight, pin 13.
Pin 3 is CAN bus ext H (orange/gray or gray). Attach to brown 16-pos connector, pin 10.

Hardware is now done. Coding is required. I know coding change is needed for Module 19 Gateway – add block 65 to the Installation.

I also know there are coding changes to Module 03 ABS Brakes, and maybe changes to Module 17 Instrument Cluster and maybe to Module 5F Adaptations. I think I know what they are, but don’t want to put them here yet because they are totally untested.

In general that’s it. Does not look terribly tough at all. Remember I only have parts on order at this point and have not done the install. Who else has attempted this or done research? Let’s get a complete guide done for all to use.

heymoe

4M0907273B might be a better options for the TPMS Antenna / Control Module since it's what the RS5 uses and Audi USA Parts even says it's for the S5

https://parts.audiusa.com/p/Audi__/7...M0907273B.html

Also there are 2 different radius frequencies that TPMS can use 315MHZ and 433MHZ so you need to make sure the sensors and control module are using the same frequency. The parts listed so far here are 433MHZ.


On a side note Kufatec already has a full TPMS kit you can buy from them with hardware and coding dongle:

https://www.kufatec.com/en/tires-rim...8w-a5-f5-43730

bruce_miranda

Few things that might help you.

8S0907273 OR 4M0907273B is the same part. Both numbers are printed on it.

The TPMS receiver does not need to go under the car in a bracket. It works absolutely fine just placed behind the Right side boot storage bin above the wheel arch. Also placing it there means you dont need the rubber gasket and plastic tubing for the wiring needed to get from the boot to under the car. Just try and keep it as close to the rear Right wheel as possible. And if you want to get really close towards the front of the wheel arch.

The wiring can be bought on it's own on Aliexpress. Buy the version that already has the plug needed to extend the CAN BUS. Do not trust any colour coding on the wiring harness. Just follow the numbering on the plug that goes into the TPMS receiver. Pin 3 is for the CAN High +ve.

The wiring often comes with the smaller fuse holder crimp contact. In the Sportback, the brown fuse holder is near impossible to get out, without loosening the entire fuse holder panel. A much simpler option is to replace the small fuse holder crimp to a large fuse holder crimp and install the 12V into the larger Black fuse holder in an empty slot. But stick with a 5A fuse to keep things safe.

There is already a ground earth point in the boot behind the storage bin, use that.

If you have the all round view cameras then the CAN connections are also present in the boot, just next to the fuse holder. So all the wiring becomes dead easy and can be done in under 30 mins. Grey wire is the CAN High in the car.

Just secure the TPMS receiver somewhere in the boot. I simply used some foam pipe lagging to stop any noises.

There are two options for the TPMS receiver. Either buy it from a specialist on Aliexpress or elsewhere already parameterised. Or just buy a used one off eBay. Dont buy a new one because the process of doing the parameterisation is not well known.

Everything else then just needs VCDS and is well known.

The wheel valves themselves are easy to put in. My tyre shop charged me a tenner a wheel to install.

JLoft

A follow-up that my direct TPMS is installed and functional. Not that hard to do the work to get it in. A great upgrade I think. I'm now able to see each tire's pressure and temperature real time on the instrument cluster.

exmeaguy

Thanks, this is encouraging to see. Can you provide a picture of what it looks like in the cluster?

SloopJohnB@mac.com

IIRC 315MHz is a common frequency for garage door openers, Chamberlain for one. Someone could try 315 and see if it is bothered by garage door openers.

JLoft

Here are pics showing display depending on which mode you have your cluster in.

JLoft

The system is 433 MHz. It was designed by Huf and adopted by Audi and VW.

MH62

Nice, like it should be. I need that.

cthan3o3

Any info on steps/instructions for coding?