Tire Pressure Critically Low (TPMS Hard Warning) -- Check and Inflate Tire
The TESLA-UI_A013 (Tesla TPMS / User Interface) EV fault code means: Tire Pressure Critically Low (TPMS Hard Warning) -- Check and Inflate Tire. This is a moderate severity code.
- Keep driving?
- Short distances only
- DIY difficulty
- beginner
- Estimated cost
- $0 to inflate at a pump; $20-$45 for a tire plug/patch repair; $60-$90 if a TPMS sensor itself has failed and needs replacement.
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Common Symptoms
- Yellow low-tire-pressure (!) warning on the touchscreen
- On-screen message to check and inflate the affected tire
- One corner reads noticeably lower than the others on the tire-pressure screen
- Warning often first appears on a cold morning or after a temperature drop
Probable Causes (Ranked by Likelihood)
- Under-inflation, often from a normal cold-weather pressure drop Very Likely
- Slow leak from a nail, screw, or other road-debris puncture Likely
- Leaking valve stem or valve core Possible
- Bead leak where the tire meets the wheel (corrosion or damage) Possible
Step-by-Step Diagnostic Procedure
Check all four pressures with a gauge and compare to the placard in the driver door jamb (Tesla typically calls for ~42 psi cold on Model 3/Y -- confirm your placard).
Inflate the low tire to the placard pressure when the tires are cold.
Inspect the tire tread and sidewall for a nail, screw, or damage; spray soapy water on the tire and valve stem and watch for bubbles to find a slow leak.
If the pressure drops again within a day or two, the tire has a leak and needs a plug/patch repair.
After correcting pressures, the warning clears on its own once the system reads all four tires in spec; no manual reset is normally required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tesla alert UI_a013 mean?
It is the TPMS "hard" warning: the tire pressure monitoring system has detected that at least one tire is significantly below the target pressure. The touchscreen prompts you to check and inflate the affected tire.
Can I keep driving with UI_a013?
Drive only a short distance to a pump or tire shop. A significantly underinflated tire overheats, wears unevenly, and can fail at speed. Inflate to the door-jamb placard pressure as soon as possible.
The warning came back after I inflated -- why?
A pressure that drops again after inflating means the tire has a leak (commonly a nail or a leaking valve stem), not just a cold-weather dip. Have the tire inspected and repaired.
Sources
This page is built from documented references. Verify against your own service info before repair work.