Winter Tires for Q5

[izzy]

Just wondering if anyone has purchased winter tires and rims from Tire Rack for a 2010 Q5 Premium (looking for 235/65/17). Prices appear to be much lower than through a dealer, but we are concerned that the rims may not fit properly, which would be a problem after bringing them into Canada. Also, does anyone know what would happen if TPMS are not installed in the winter tires? We have heard that either an indicator light will come on (not so bad) or there will be continuous chime (more of a problem). Thanks!

[mart242]

check talon tires, they did a kit for my friend's Q5. They are in montreal, shipping is ~55$ and no PST. he got the toyo open country g02 I think, along with some nice replica wheels.

[Regina_TTS]

I went with 18" wheels from the Tire Rack...

http://www.audiforum.ca/q5-q7/50225-winter-wheels.html

Without the TPMS sensors installed you will have a permanent indicator displayed on the top lines of the DIS. You wont be able to read other information that is normally displayed there, such has music information. You can actually have the TPMS system disabled, but why bother when you can get the set of (4) sensors from Tire Rack for $200.

[izzy]

Thanks for the replies! It seems that that 2010 Q5 (premium) has the new ABS assisted TPMS, which is why the tire valves are rubber and not metal. If this is the case, TPMS sensors for winter tires may not be needed. Anyone know anything more about this?

[Regina_TTS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by izzy

Thanks for the replies! It seems that that 2010 Q5 (premium) has the new ABS assisted TPMS, which is why the tire valves are rubber and not metal. If this is the case, TPMS sensors for winter tires may not be needed. Anyone know anything more about this?

Right, you are talking 2010. My car is a 2009 model.

Part way through production of 2010 models they switched to the indirect ABS assisted TPMS. Early 2010's still had the direct measure TPMS sensors mounted at the valve, which is easily discernible by that larger metal valve stem. If you have TPMS and have noticed that you have regular rubber valve stems, then you have indirect TPMS and do not need the sensors for any wheels installed on the car. The TPMS values are measured/estimated using the wheel speed sensors that are part of the ABS system.

[nocash]

I can confirm this also. My September production 2010 Q5 has ABS assisted TPMS; no sensors required for my snows.....good news

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina_TTS

Right, you are talking 2010. My car is a 2009 model.

Part way through production of 2010 models they switched to the indirect ABS assisted TPMS. Early 2010's still had the direct measure TPMS sensors mounted at the valve, which is easily discernible by that larger metal valve stem. If you have TPMS and have noticed that you have regular rubber valve stems, then you have indirect TPMS and do not need the sensors for any wheels installed on the car. The TPMS values are measured/estimated using the wheel speed sensors that are part of the ABS system.

[warcity]

Hi folks: I got my 2010 Audi Q5 in Sep, Navi, B&O, technology and premium plus upgrade 19". I didn' get S line, don't see a point. Finally decided to put winters. I bought 4 audi sensors online from tire rack shipped to my door in Toronto for 180. Got them installed in 4 RS4 replica Rims including winter tires (Fallkens) including the tires everything for 1800. I am hoping to get 5 years of these. Have a look at them below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/warcity...7622790867528/

[warcity]

Can you tell me what you mean but regular rubber valve? I want to check my car to see which it has. I put sensors in my snows anyways but I want to know if I wasted 200 bux of my money. My car is a end of July, early Aug production. Let me know what to look for. Thanks.

[Regina_TTS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by warcity

Can you tell me what you mean but regular rubber valve? I want to check my car to see which it has. I put sensors in my snows anyways but I want to know if I wasted 200 bux of my money. My car is a end of July, early Aug production. Let me know what to look for. Thanks.

This is the TPMS sensor that VW/Audi used on the 2009 Q5. You can see that the valve stem is metal and larger in diameter than a traditional rubber valve stem. If you have a 2010 Q5 and it has TPMS with a rubber valve stem, then you didn't need to buy these sensors.



Here's what it looks like on the the wheel.

[warcity]

Thanks for this, Look like I just wasted 180 bux for nothing on buying sensors for my winter tires. Oh well who would have known 1 month too late. I'll just hold on to it since I don't have a choice this is great info though. Thank you. My car was late July early Aug production so I figured it would have it.