[audioholic]

Another first- Direct TPMS working on the car but partially
This is the first documented retrofit of a direct TPMS system on a MQB A0 Car with the MIB Regio head unit(Found also in countries like Brazil) and the 8 inch virtual cockpit(which is now offered as an entry level option in many EU spec models as well). Hence doing this was like a blind move with no guarantee of the outcomes. There are a few cars with the upgraded virtual cockpit which had direct TPMS so the assumption was I had to upgrade the VC as well to get this working. Keeping future possibilities of a VC upgrade in mind() and considering that the direct tpms kit was rather inexpensive and wiring was really simple, I started the work a couple of months ago.

The kit is like this:


Contains four wheel sensors and a central antenna. My first trial wiring the controller to the car was unsuccessful since the controller had communication issues with the car. Then again took the plunge and ordered a spare controller from a different seller and this worked. The wiring is very simple, you need a positive, ground, CAN L and CAN H which was initially connected to comfort CAN. But I couldnt find any option in the cluster to get a live display of pressure, leave alone readings.

Got the wheel sensors mounted in the beginning itself since even if they wouldnt work, the valve stems were rigid and looked much better compared to the rubber stems present earlier. After different experiments with coding and wiring, I realised that there was no possibility of a TPMS menu appearing in the cluster. Left the setup as it is and declared the experiment a failure.

A couple of days later, I started to office and saw the TPMS icon on the cluster and a pop up message that said ‘Check Tyre pressures’. I wasnt sure if this was a real warning or a false one. The tyres had lost pressure by 2psi all round and this warning went away after topping up the tyres. So first thing that worked fine. After more digging in and contacting a few people they were of the opinion that neither the instrument cluster nor infotainment supports pressure readouts and only can give warnings.

Last week decided to conduct another experiment, I intentionally started deflating one tyre to see at least if I can get a legit warning from the car and this is what I got:


I saw this type of pop up for the first time ever, whereas the earlier warnings were different. So now it was guaranteed that the 8 inch VC can actually show individual tyre pressure readouts. However I couldnt see the tyre pressures nor the indication of which tyre had lost pressure. This was one step forward with more to go. But in diagnostics, the TPMS reported the correct values:


Then it meant two things - Either the cluster isnt coded properly, or a potential network gateway limitation on this car. But if it worked on the high end cluster, it should work on this as well. Hence, tried one last thing - created a customised dataset and reflashed the TPMS ECU and voila:



This menu pops up during ignition ON and can tell which tyre has low pressure. This itself was an achievement after all the experiment. I also tried deflating other tyres and checked it worked accurately:


Now two things are still missing in the puzzle:

• Get a permanent display on the cluster
• Get tyre pressure readouts on the infotainment unit

But already happy and satisfied with the result.

[Bsilver]

Originally Posted by audioholic

[b]But if it worked on the high end cluster, it should work on this as well. Hence, tried one last thing - created a customised dataset and reflashed the TPMS ECU and voila:

Was this done in ODIS? creating a new dataset can unlock a lot of functions on the BCM of the older models as well, hence asking the same. And can we assign new functions as per our liking in the new dataset?

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by Bsilver

Was this done in ODIS? creating a new dataset can unlock a lot of functions on the BCM of the older models as well, hence asking the same. And can we assign new functions as per our liking in the new dataset?

Hi the dataset or parameters for the TPMS defines the following items:

• Number of tyre sets that the car can have - This can be selected through infotainment in higher end models but in the MIB regio I am yet to see such an option
• For each tyre set, we can specify three tyre pressures - Standard, Comfort and Fully loaded - Again which ideally has to be set via infotainment or cluster

However, for TPMS this is the limitation. But for the other modules like Park assist or camera, I have flashed datasets for basically configuring the vehicle parameters into the ECU and the availability of certain external functions thats related to the current ECU.

The dataset for the TPMS was generated through this online utility and then flashed into the ECU via ODIS E - https://htmlpreview.github.io/?https...generator.html

[Mitadru]

I had seen this TPMS system on Alibaba, and was interested in buying it. Then I realised that the MQB guru has not done it yet, and waited for this. Now I have a decent to do list, but as they if you don't have your own Vitamin M, it's difficult to get stuffs
. I had already contacted Audioholic regarding the highline camera, and he had agreed to help me out. Being a MBBS student, time is a very precious and scarce commodity, and I'm unable to get any.
I don't yet drive our Slavia, so I'll start installing these when I start driving it. And thanks again Audioholic for this wonderful thread. It will be a treasure trove of all MQB AO IN car owners, both present and the future.

[fluidicjoy]

Originally Posted by audioholic

Another first- Direct TPMS working on the car but partially
This is the first documented retrofit of a direct TPMS system on a MQB A0 Car with the MIB Regio head unit...

Looks exciting! Based off my experience retrofitting TPMS on PQ25/PQ35 cars, it would be helpful to try out a few different firmwares of the MQB TPMS.

On my car, some PQ TPMS firmwares weren't displaying on my PQ car, while some did. Maybe trying that might help. The 8S0 picture you showed might be from an Audi, unless you're already using a 5Q0 module. If nothing works out after coding, maybe you could upgrade your cluster next

Linking my thread for TPMS info here (Review: Driving home our Sunset Red VW Polo Highline+ TSI Automatic).

Also, for MQB, try CAN Extended for TPMS.

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by fluidicjoy

On my car, some PQ TPMS firmwares weren't displaying on my PQ car, while some did. Maybe trying that might help. The 8S0 picture you showed might be from an Audi, unless you're already using a 5Q0 module. If nothing works out after coding, maybe you could upgrade your cluster next
].

Yes that image was only for representation. What I have is a 5Q0 xxx 273B module with me. It looks like only cluster upgrade or infotainment update to MIB3 Can enable permanent display of tyre pressure. For now I have to live with this sadly..

Have tried everything possible with the current setup.

[Mitadru]

Originally Posted by audioholic

It looks like only cluster upgrade or infotainment update to MIB3 Can enable permanent display of tyre pressure. For now I have to live with this sadly..

Have tried everything possible with the current setup.

Why not upgrade the instrument cluster? You can get the ones of Skoda cars with proper TPMS . Keep us updated though .

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by Mitadru

Why not upgrade the instrument cluster? You can get the ones of Skoda cars with proper TPMS . Keep us updated though .

The kind of money needed to spend on a cluster upgrade just to enable TPMS display will get me two sets of tyres. So not worth it. I would spend the same money in getting ADAS, head unit upgrade.

[Mitadru]

Originally Posted by audioholic

The kind of money needed to spend on a cluster upgrade just to enable TPMS display will get me two sets of tyres. So not worth it. I would spend the same money in getting ADAS, head unit upgrade.

Yeah my bad, didn't check the prices. So how will you retrofit a new head unit in your Slavia, or the other thing you've mentioned - ADAS ? Is it possible to retrofit ADAS cause you'll need to have a place to fit in the radar , and other coding stuffs. You will also need to to be able to control the head unit. I just want to know if you have considered retrofitting blind spot monitor with the light in the ORVM ?

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by Mitadru

Yeah my bad, didn't check the prices. So how will you retrofit a new head unit in your Slavia, or the other thing you've mentioned - ADAS ? Is it possible to retrofit ADAS cause you'll need to have a place to fit in the radar , and other coding stuffs. You will also need to to be able to control the head unit. I just want to know if you have considered retrofitting blind spot monitor with the light in the ORVM ?

Its definitely possible to fit the entire ADAS related equipment but I am told that the engine controller currently doesnt support adaptive cruise control and an ECU remap is needed. In addition to that there are packaging issues. Firstly, the front radar needs a new bumper grill with a Ceramic protection plate like in the Kodiaq. There is no alternative part available for this for the Slavia, whereas for the Virtus this is easier since the radar sits behind the VW logo which can be easily swapped. For the rear corner radars, there is no ready made mount available suitable for the Virtus/Slavia. The Taigun and Kushaq can use the mounts for the T-Cross though. Lastly, for the front Driver assistance camera, there is no ready mounting hardware available and only a jugaad camera mount is available which I am not a fan of. Hence, the ADAS related retrofits have been moved to the waiting list for now. But its not impossible. The rest of the car supports these functions.

[Mitadru]

Originally Posted by audioholic

Its definitely possible to fit the entire ADAS related equipment but I am told that the engine controller currently doesnt support adaptive cruise control and an ECU remap is needed. In addition to that there are packaging issues. Firstly, the front radar needs a new bumper grill with a Ceramic protection plate like in the Kodiaq. There is no alternative part available for this for the Slavia, whereas for the Virtus this is easier since the radar sits behind the VW logo which can be easily swapped. For the rear corner radars, there is no ready made mount available suitable for the Virtus/Slavia. The Taigun and Kushaq can use the mounts for the T-Cross though. Lastly, for the front Driver assistance camera, there is no ready mounting hardware available and only a jugaad camera mount is available which I am not a fan of. Hence, the ADAS related retrofits have been moved to the waiting list for now. But its not impossible. The rest of the car supports these functions.

If I discount the ECU change, isn't there any model of Skoda MQB car internationally which has a radar mounted on the grill ? And aren't the cameras usually mounted on the windshield? In international models of Virtus, isn't the radar mounted in the lower grille, so if we can get that grille, the whole process is easier? Let me know if this is possible.

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by Mitadru

If I discount the ECU change, isn't there any model of Skoda MQB car internationally which has a radar mounted on the grill ? And aren't the cameras usually mounted on the windshield? In international models of Virtus, isn't the radar mounted in the lower grille, so if we can get that grille, the whole process is easier? Let me know if this is possible.

Mounting of the radar isnt a problem. Thats mounted behind the bumper on a chassis member that also supports the bonnet latch. The issue is getting the grille of the slavia that has a ceramic shield in the middle. This is specific to the design of the Slavia front bumper. In the Virtus I dont think it gets the radar in the lower grille. It has to be behind the VW logo itself. Check again.

As for the camera, it has to be mounted on the windshield, but above the IRVM. This has to come with a specific mount pasted on the windshield. We have to do the jugaad of replicating the entire setup and move the IRVM mount. That I am not interested to do.

[Mitadru]

Originally Posted by audioholic

Mounting of the radar isnt a problem. Thats mounted behind the bumper on a chassis member that also supports the bonnet latch. The issue is getting the grille of the slavia that has a ceramic shield in the middle. This is specific to the design of the Slavia front bumper. In the Virtus I dont think it gets the radar in the lower grille. It has to be behind the VW logo itself. Check again.

As for the camera, it has to be mounted on the windshield, but above the IRVM. This has to come with a specific mount pasted on the windshield. We have to do the jugaad of replicating the entire setup and move the IRVM mount. That I am not interested to do.

With the recent news of the IN cars being exported to Vietnam as CKD, there's also the news that they'll get adaptive cruise control. So do you think it will be possible for us to source the modules as and when they launch the Slavia in Vietnam with the above features ? I guess they'll have better integration and we'll not have to resort to juggad style installation of ADAS. Am I right ?

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by Mitadru

With the recent news of the IN cars being exported to Vietnam as CKD, there's also the news that they'll get adaptive cruise control. So do you think it will be possible for us to source the modules as and when they launch the Slavia in Vietnam with the above features ? I guess they'll have better integration and we'll not have to resort to juggad style installation of ADAS. Am I right ?

If they do get Adaptive cruise control, then it is possible to get the front grill with radar housing. The radar itself can be sourced independently. But not sure if this car will also get a camera at front for ADAS which will give more functionality. The Virtus only gets Adaptive cruise control from a single radar which isnt the best case. Need to see whats offered in vietnam. Note that jugaad installation of radar isnt possible since it will end up giving calibration errors. Else I would have tried this long ago.

[Mitadru]

Originally Posted by audioholic

If they do get Adaptive cruise control, then it is possible to get the front grill with radar housing. The radar itself can be sourced independently. But not sure if this car will also get a camera at front for ADAS which will give more functionality. The Virtus only gets Adaptive cruise control from a single radar which isnt the best case. Need to see whats offered in vietnam. Note that jugaad installation of radar isnt possible since it will end up giving calibration errors. Else I would have tried this long ago.

I don't think it will be much different from Virtus . Let's see how they plan the things out

BTW, Is this what you mean by ceramic shield? The plastic partition in the middle of the grill ?