On different Mercedes-Benz models, you will see two types of TPMS systems. Low-line systems do not display individual tire pressures – these systems just monitor inflation and alert the driver if there is an under-inflation or over-inflation problem with one antenna. Mid-line systems display the individual pressures, and some systems have four antennas mounted near the wheel wells.
Low-line systems can’t detect a low tire pressure until the sensors in the wheels are activated by movement. Mid-line systems can “poke” the sensors with a low-frequency radio signal to get them to transmit information when the vehicle is first started or when prompted by the phone app. But, both systems use the wheel speed sensor to detect a sudden loss of pressure when the vehicle is moving.
Mercedes-Benz and other German vehicle manufacturers make the assumption that people here in the U.S. adjust their tire pressure for the number of people in the vehicle and for the speed they intend to drive. They include the U.S. DOT-mandated tire pressure placard on the driver’s side door jamb, but also behind the gas filler door is the “Luftdruck” sticker, which gives the recommended tire pressure.
This sticker allows the driver set the correct tire pressure for the load and type of driving. If the driver intends to drive at 100 mph with four people in the vehicle, the sticker will advise them to add four more PSI in some cases. This mentality is also part of German tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) that require a reference pressure to set during a relearn.
Like all TPMS vehicles, the TPMS light illuminates continuously if one or more of the tires is significantly under or overinflated. If the TPMS light flashes for 60 seconds and then stays illuminated, the TPMS system itself is not operating properly and further diagnostics should be performed. If a condition causing the TPMS to malfunction develops, it may take up to 10 minutes for the system to start flashing a TPMS light.
Relearn/Reset
With almost all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, you should use an auto relearn procedure that is activated by menus in the instrument cluster. The proper menu can vary by model. But, no matter the model or system, always inflate the tires to the recommended pressure before starting any relearn or reset procedure.
When the vehicle is in the restart mode, it is listening for the sensors. During this time, it is looking for the four or five signals that occur on the test drive to determine if a signal is coming from one of the sensors on the vehicle. The tires need to be set at the correct pressure first. This is called the “reference pressure” by Mercedes. If the inflation is not properly set, it could cause the tire pressure alert to come on.
When the restart mode is activated, the display should read, “Tire Pressure Monitor Active,” or “Adopt Current Pressures as New Guidance Values.” Press OK to accept the new values. Or, the display will then issue the message “Use Current Pressures as New Reference Values.” Press OK and then it should show the message, “Tire Press Monitor Restarted.”
Drive the vehicle for at least 10 minutes as the system verifies that the current tire inflation pressures are within the specified range. During the drive, the current tire inflation pressures are accepted as reference values and inflation changes are based on this value.
Mid-line systems will typically require less time to restart or relearn a sensor’s position and start to display pressure values. Low-line systems may require at least 10 minutes of driving to complete the restart.
If a relearn process can’t be completed, use a TPMS tool to activate a sensor to make sure it is active and transmitting. If not, replace the sensor.
