What Really Happens W/O Tire Sensors - C Class
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: New Jersey
2008 C300 Sport
What Really Happens W/O Tire Sensors - C Class
There have been a number of posts, on this and other forums, questioning what happens when a person puts on wheels (usually for winter) w/o a tire sensor. I can relate what happened on my 2008 C-Class when I switched to winter wheels/tires. It is a U.S. version with a manual transmission.
When I initially drove away from the tire place, nothing happened. I had been expecting the flashing red display or some sort of audible alarm. None of this ocurred. After about 10-15 minutes of driving, a messge appeared in the center of my message center advising that the TPMS was inactive. I simply pressed the "OK" button on the left steering wheel control and the message went away. I had my normal display back with the usual functionality.
The only other thing is a warning light in the tachometer region of my display. Near the 5000 rpm marker is a tire icon (a cutaway view) with an explanantion point ("!") within the tire. It started out flashing then became a steady display. It is easy to ignore.
During this past weekend, that scenario repeated itself after every start. Based on that, it was no problem driving without a monitor in the wheels.
When I initially drove away from the tire place, nothing happened. I had been expecting the flashing red display or some sort of audible alarm. None of this ocurred. After about 10-15 minutes of driving, a messge appeared in the center of my message center advising that the TPMS was inactive. I simply pressed the "OK" button on the left steering wheel control and the message went away. I had my normal display back with the usual functionality.
The only other thing is a warning light in the tachometer region of my display. Near the 5000 rpm marker is a tire icon (a cutaway view) with an explanantion point ("!") within the tire. It started out flashing then became a steady display. It is easy to ignore.
During this past weekend, that scenario repeated itself after every start. Based on that, it was no problem driving without a monitor in the wheels.
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'10 CL550, '12 GL550
So, your message is it's ok for you and your family to do without a useful safety feature.
Yet another in the infinite number of rationalizations that it's ok to be cheap.
Yet another in the infinite number of rationalizations that it's ok to be cheap.
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From: New Jersey
2008 C300 Sport
B. If you have sudden deflation, you don't need a TPMS system, the sudden change in handling will be enough for most alert people.
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Mercedes-Benz
same thing happened to me today. No light after driving away then sure enough 5 min later it said no sensors detected tire pressure inactive and the orange light started flashing. It stayed flashing for a while then went solid. Had it stayed flashing I probably would have went and installed sensors lol.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
The liability to a dealer for turning off a safety feature could be staggering.
I frankly don't believe you can do it.
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'10 CL550, '12 GL550
What if sudden deflation is caused by low tire pressure? Wouldn't you like to know before it happens? What if your "sudden change in handling" puts you on your roof?
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Ha, well put. Its really not a big deal to not have the sensors in there. I do it alot as I switch wheels and tires more often than shoes. It cost extra to take tires off and remove sensors and move them around I just don't bother most of the time. Especially considering that TPMS (atleast on the C class) doesn't let you know there is any issue until your holding less than 25 psi anyhow which at that point if you can't tell from driving/looking at it then you should probably brush up on your handyman garage skills a bit. There is also no reason people shouldn't check their tire pressure atleast once a month with a tire gauge, they are free at most tire places anyhow. I really don't think it has anything to do with whether you are cheap or not. Those sensors are like 60 bucks a piece and do next to nothing. I could see if they gave digitial read outs at all four corners like some other Benz models do, but not the C anyway, or the E for that matter. My CL doesn't even read out at all four corners.
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From: Seattle
2001 R129 SL500, '08-'20 W204 C350
Second that, when you have winter tires without sensors, IMHO it's okay to deactivate pressure monitoring. Reactivate pressure mointoring when regular tires are back on.
BTW, anyone else got tire pressure warning because it got really cold outside? Tires are okay, just 2-3 psi short due to temp change.
BTW, anyone else got tire pressure warning because it got really cold outside? Tires are okay, just 2-3 psi short due to temp change.
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From: New Jersey
2008 C300 Sport
Please, enough of this. Low tire pressure is a gradual process. Hence, the tire gauge. If something is so drastic as to put you on your roof, then a TPMS will be of no use to you.
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would deactivating them void any warranty you might have if you end up crashing the car due to low pressure?
I don't have them on my C but the thought of a benz hauling *** on the highway and hitting a bump causing a forced release in pressure might be tragic if your system didn't warn of you what just happened.
and I agree with the air guage advice. it's only right that if you love your car to have one or two of these things within reach.
I don't have them on my C but the thought of a benz hauling *** on the highway and hitting a bump causing a forced release in pressure might be tragic if your system didn't warn of you what just happened.
and I agree with the air guage advice. it's only right that if you love your car to have one or two of these things within reach.
