Glk 2013 77000 miles . Am I running out of time with my original TPMS ? I do need new tires before winter .

 

Ten years is pretty much end-of-life for most TPMS sensors. Most aftermarket sensors suggest 5-8 years. I'd suggest swapping them out for your next tire change, as you won't incur any extra labor charges (or at least not nearly as much as dismounting, remounting and balancing the tires one extra time). Just make sure you get sensors that are compatible with the MB system (mine re-established contact automatically a few miles after mounting). I posted a link to the ones I bought in another running thread.

 

Interesting.

Just walked in the garage and see our 2014 GLK350 Base has 89,510 miles.
I've never thought the sensors are a regular maintenance item. Had all tires changed 2+ years ago (no new sensors).

What's the give-away they're failing? I assume you don't see a reading for one or more on the dash(?)

EDIT: I just read the other TPMS thread and see it shows up on dash - though for that user, it was erroneous, as it showed the right-rear as bad and the mechanic scanned and showed it was passenger front is bad... weird.

 

Part of their lifetime is based mileage. When the wheels/tires are not turning the sensors go into sleep mode which reduces the sensor battery consumption. All other things being equal, the sensor batteries on a vehicle that is driven less should last longer. Of course many of us survived for years without TPMS sensors :-) It's more of a nice to have even though it has been federally-mandated for vehicles sold on the U.S. market since 2007.

I never got TPMS sensors installed on the aftermarket wheels, with dedicated snow tires, that are mounted on my GLK about six months of each year. Hopefully Big Brother will not come after me for unwittingly eliminating one more method to track my movements.


https://medium.com/@doctoreww/day-2-...w-1d5f74388850

 

I have TPMS sensors in both sets of wheels, summer and snow, and they automatically reacquire every time I remount them. My limited understanding is that not all sensors will do this, but only the ones that are specifically designed for Mercedes and other European vehicles.

I don't believe there is really any sign you get prior to a sensor failing. I think the first clue is whenever you get a TPMS error message that one sensor is no longer reporting.

 

I love the ABS based tire monitoring system on my 2010. Nothing to wear out and no special valve stems. Our old 2011 BMW 535GT was the same.

 

My 2006 BMW 530xi (Touring) was the same way. I really liked not having to worry about TPMS batteries / transponders, etc.

The only advantages to the TPMS system:
1) You know which tire is flat (ummm, that can be determined in about 10 seconds with a walk around the car)
2) You can check the tire pressure (actually, that is kind of nice, assuming your transponders are accurate).