A method for operating a monitoring device for at least one vehicle parameter, in particular an air-pressure sensor for the tire-pressure vehicle parameter. The monitoring device is operated in a drive mode or in a stationary mode as a function of the velocity of the vehicle. Connection signals for the wireless connection to an external device, in particular a configuration device for the monitoring device, are transmitted in the stationary mode. Prior to the change to the stationary mode, the monitoring device is operated in a first intermediate mode. A passive search for wireless connection signals from the external device is carried out in the first intermediate mode.