Audi Q3 TPMS Warning Persists Despite Good Pressure

I had a similar issue with my 2015 Audi Q5 last year. Having some experience with basic car maintenance, I first did a thorough tire check using a digital pressure gauge and confirmed all tires were properly inflated. The low tire pressure warning kept appearing despite correct readings. After checking the air valve and tire pressure multiple times without success, I took it to a workshop. The diagnosis revealed that the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor batteries were depleted. These sensors are built into the air valves and communicate with the car's computer system. The repair involved replacing all four TPMS sensors, as they were all from the same production period and likely to fail soon anyway. The total cost was 280 Euro including parts and labor. Since the fix, the system has worked flawlessly with no false warnings. Before suggesting specific solutions for your Q3, could you share: Have you recently replaced any tires? When was the last TPMS sensor maintenance done? Does the warning appear immediately after starting the car or during driving? Did you notice if the flat tire warning started after a specific event like hitting a pothole? This information would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced.

Thanks for your input. My Q3 just had its annual service at 63211 KM, where they also did a tire inflation and pressure check. I replaced all tires about 6 months ago, but no TPMS maintenance was done then. The flat tire warning typically appears about 10 minutes into driving and stays on continuously. The issue started gradually, first appearing occasionally, then becoming more frequent. No specific incident like hitting a pothole triggered it. I did notice that the warning sometimes temporarily disappears after resetting the system through the dashboard menu, but it always comes back. Given this pattern and that all tires hold pressure perfectly, I suspect you might be right about failing TPMS sensors. I will get them checked at the workshop.

Based on your additional details, this really sounds identical to what I experienced with my Q5. The gradual onset of warnings and the temporary fix through system resets perfectly matches my situation. The fact that your tires were replaced 6 months ago without TPMS maintenance is particularly telling, as tire shops sometimes skip sensor maintenance if not specifically requested. When my tire pressure sensor fault first appeared, I also noticed it would clear temporarily after resets. The warning always returned after about 10-15 minutes of driving, exactly like your case. This intermittent behavior is a classic sign of failing TPMS sensors, especially given that your tires maintain proper pressure. Since your car shows the same symptoms at around 63000 KM, I would strongly recommend getting all four sensors replaced rather than just the problematic one. The battery life in these sensors typically ranges from 5-7 years, so they are likely all approaching end of life. For reference, my repair cost was 280 Euro, but prices can vary based on sensor type. Make sure they perform a complete system reset and calibration after replacement. In my case, the fix was permanent and I have not had any flat tire warnings since.

Thanks for the detailed explanation. Your experience with the gradual sensor failure matches my situation exactly. I will schedule an appointment with my regular workshop next week to have all TPMS sensors replaced, since they are clearly at the end of their lifespan after 10 years. The consistent air pressure readings from my manual checks combined with the warning behavior you described confirms this is likely a sensor issue rather than an actual tire inflation problem. It makes sense to replace all sensors at once rather than dealing with multiple failures over time. The cost reference of 280 Euro helps set my expectations for the repair. I will make sure to specifically request TPMS sensor replacement and system calibration when booking the appointment. Will update the forum once the work is done in case others experience similar tire pressure monitoring system issues with their vehicles.