On a 2008 C350 MB, how does one determine on which tire the TPMS is inoperable? Must one break down each tire and check each sensor until the inoperable one is found? How long should batteries last? Will a scan by MB dealer tell which tire sensor is bad or merely that one or more of the four tire's tpms sensors is bad, requiring breaking down of all tires and replacement of all 4 TPMS snsors?

 

Some of the larger auto parts chain stores (Advance, etc) will have a sensor activator scanner which will pick up if a nearby TPMS is sending..think that gizmo they have at the check out desk where you can activate your key fob and a light will show up on the "tester" if your fob is "sending". The Dealer will use its proprietary diagnostics to scan individual TPMS operative state I believe.

My own TPMS battery life stats; 2005 RX8 rims all OK, 2008 (12/07) Mazdaspeed 3 sensors all good, 2009 MB C300 ditto. Past sensor equipped cars would include a Jeep GC having 10 years on their batteries. I have read that some TPMS turn ON/OFF per whether the tire is rotating or not...My Jeep had a pressure reading with just the ignition ON but an older CRV needed to have the car going down the road for a mile or so when both vehicles had non-TPMS rims exchanged back to the stock TPMS rims. Only mention as it effects battery life.

 

Yeah, any decent tire shop will have a device to ping each wheel sensor to figure out which is dead.

Our '11 C300 can display the pressure at each wheel in the driver's display. Can the 2008 car do the same?