- Electric mobility
- Electric bicycle
W013
Shimano STEPS W013 on e-bike: torque sensor init warning
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Low
Quick answer
On Shimano STEPS e-bikes, warning W013 means initialization of the torque sensor was not completed successfully and pedal assistance may be lower than usual; take your foot off the pedal, press the battery power button to turn it off, and turn the power on again. If it persists, visit a dealer.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Make sure you are familiar with the starting-off characteristics of the power-assisted bicycle before riding on busy streets, and keep your feet off the pedals while switching power on.
- Never attempt to disassemble or modify the drive unit or torque sensor yourself: Shimano warns this may cause improper operation, sudden falls, and serious injury.
Safe checks you can perform
- Stop the bicycle and take both feet completely off the pedals
- Press the battery power button to turn power off and back on
- Confirm normal power assistance on a short test ride
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Check warning history and update firmware with E-TUBE PROJECT
- Do not attempt this professional task: Inspect chain tension, crank installation, and drive unit torque sensor
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Check warning history and update firmware with E-TUBE PROJECT
What they doIf W013 does not clear after restarting with your foot off the pedal, the dealer connects the bicycle to E-TUBE PROJECT using the SM-PCE1 or SM-PCE02 PC linkage device to inspect the warning log (such as W013, W103, or W10300) and update firmware.
They must show youthe warning log and firmware status displayed in E-TUBE PROJECT.
In writingthe warning code logged by the diagnostic tool and any firmware update applied.
Inspect chain tension, crank installation, and drive unit torque sensor
What they doThe authorized mechanic inspects the chain tension, crank arm installation, and chainring unit, and arranges official drive unit service or replacement if an internal torque sensor fault is confirmed.
They must show youthe mechanical inspection of the crank and chain tension and any genuine Shimano replacement part fitted.
In writingthe mechanical and electronic findings, parts serviced or replaced, and warranty details.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Stop the bicycle and take both feet completely off the pedals
- Who:
- you, standing beside the bicycle with both feet on the ground.
- How:
- come to a complete stop, stand with both feet on the ground, and make sure neither your shoes nor anything else is pressing on the pedals or crank arms.
- Result that matters:
- removing all load from the drivetrain before re-initializing the torque sensor.
- If the pedals and cranks are completely unloaded:
- proceed to restart the battery.
- If the chain is jammed or the cranks bind mechanically:
- do not force the pedals and have the drivetrain checked first.
- Evidence to keep:
- visual check that nothing is touching the pedals before powering on.
Evidence: SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E8000 Series User's Manual (UM-72F0B-001) · SHIMANO STEPS E8000 Series Dealer's Manual (DM-E8000-10) · SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E7000 Series User's Manual (UM-79E0B-000)
Press the battery power button to turn power off and back on
- Who:
- you, keeping your feet off the pedals.
- How:
- with your foot off the pedal as instructed in manuals UM-72F0B-001, UM-79E0B-000, and DM-E8000-10, press the battery power button to turn the system off, wait a few seconds, and press it again to turn the power back on.
- Result that matters:
- allowing the torque sensor to complete initialization cleanly at startup.
- If the W013 warning disappears from the cycle computer screen:
- test pedal assistance.
- If W013 reappears even with zero load on the pedals:
- try once more on flat ground and, if it stays on, contact a dealer.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the cycle computer display after restarting with feet off the pedals.
Evidence: SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E8000 Series User's Manual (UM-72F0B-001) · SHIMANO STEPS E8000 Series Dealer's Manual (DM-E8000-10) · SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E7000 Series User's Manual (UM-79E0B-000)
Confirm normal power assistance on a short test ride
- Who:
- you, starting off carefully in a safe area.
- How:
- once W013 has cleared from the screen, select an assist mode other than [OFF] and pedal gently to confirm that power assistance is no longer lower than usual.
- Result that matters:
- verifying that full pedal assist has been restored.
- If assistance feels normal and W013 does not return:
- you can continue riding.
- If assistance remains weak or W013 comes back:
- consult your place of purchase or an authorized Shimano distributor.
- Evidence to keep:
- note of the assist mode tested and whether W013 stayed clear.
Evidence: SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E8000 Series User's Manual (UM-72F0B-001) · SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E7000 Series User's Manual (UM-79E0B-000)
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Electric mobility
- Brand
- Shimano
- Product type
- Electric bicycle
Known code variants
- advertencia W013 sensor de par Shimano
- Shimano E8000 W013
- Shimano EP8 W013
- Shimano STEPS W013
- Shimano torque sensor warning W013
- Shimano W013
- W013
- W103
- W10300
- Warning W013
What it means
Shimano's official error and warning table on si.shimano.com defines W013 (along with related codes W103, W10300, and W10600) as sensor initialization not completed normally. In the E8000 Series (UM-72F0B-001, DM-E8000-10) and E7000 Series (UM-79E0B-000) manuals, W013 specifically indicates that initialization of the torque sensor was not completed successfully, during which power assistance may be lower than usual. Other drive units may display different warning numbers, and seeing W013 alone never proves the torque sensor is faulty: it is most often triggered by resting a foot on the pedal while switching the system on.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Mediumeditorial warning
Make sure you are familiar with the starting-off characteristics of the power-assisted bicycle before riding on busy streets, and keep your feet off the pedals while switching power on.
Evidence: SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E8000 Series User's Manual (UM-72F0B-001) · SHIMANO STEPS E8000 Series Dealer's Manual (DM-E8000-10)
- Higheditorial warning
Never attempt to disassemble or modify the drive unit or torque sensor yourself: Shimano warns this may cause improper operation, sudden falls, and serious injury.
Evidence: SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E8000 Series User's Manual (UM-72F0B-001) · SHIMANO STEPS E8000 Series Dealer's Manual (DM-E8000-10)
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Foot resting on the pedal while turning the system power onCommon
Shimano's official remedy in the E8000 and E7000 user and dealer manuals is to keep your foot off the pedal and restart the battery power so the torque sensor can initialize with zero load.
Evidence: SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E8000 Series User's Manual (UM-72F0B-001) · SHIMANO STEPS E8000 Series Dealer's Manual (DM-E8000-10) · SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E7000 Series User's Manual (UM-79E0B-000)
- Incorrect drivetrain settings or excessive chain tensionPossible
User's Manual UM-72F0B-001 notes that if bicycle settings are not correct, such as when chain tension is too tight, the appropriate assist force may not be obtained.
Evidence: Error & Warning | Manuals & Technical Documents · SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E8000 Series User's Manual (UM-72F0B-001)
- Persistent torque sensor abnormality inside the drive unitLess common
If warning W013 does not clear after restarting with both feet off the pedals, Shimano instructs the rider to consult a distributor or dealer for inspection.
Evidence: Error & Warning | Manuals & Technical Documents · SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E8000 Series User's Manual (UM-72F0B-001) · SHIMANO STEPS E8000 Series Dealer's Manual (DM-E8000-10)
Virtual technician
Does W013 still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
Error & Warning | Manuals & Technical Documents
Shimano · 2026 · official_doc
- 2
Error y advertencia | Manuales y documentos técnicos
Shimano · 2026 · official_doc
- 3
SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E8000 Series User's Manual (UM-72F0B-001)
Shimano · 2026 · manual
- 4
- 5
SHIMANO STEPS E8000 Series Dealer's Manual (DM-E8000-10)
Shimano · 2026 · manual
- 6
SHIMANO STEPS Serie E8000 Manual del distribuidor (DM-E8000-10)
Shimano · 2026 · manual
- 7
SHIMANO Total Electric Power System E7000 Series User's Manual (UM-79E0B-000)
Shimano · 2026 · manual
- 8
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