car goes into (P) Park when opening door?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 19
From: Mississauga, ON CA
15 Mercedes C400, 12 Mercedes C250 coupe
car goes into (P) Park when opening door?
I noticed that if you open the door while the car is in (D) drive, it immediately goes into (P) Park, is this normal?
May seem logical to most but I was at a shop and was just moving the car a tiny bit and guiding myself.
What if a door was ajar when going slightly faster,and you open slightly to close it will it slam it into Park? doesn't seem that would be good for the tranny
May seem logical to most but I was at a shop and was just moving the car a tiny bit and guiding myself.
What if a door was ajar when going slightly faster,and you open slightly to close it will it slam it into Park? doesn't seem that would be good for the tranny
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 40
E 350
The effect would be same as pressing the park button on the gear selector while the car is in motion. Anything above crawling speeds the park button won't work (I found that out accidentally). I assume the case would be same with opening doors. Whether it would damage the transmission at real slow speeds is open to discussion. I assume the MB engineers would have already taken it into consideration while designing the transmission given the fact that newer MBs have a not so common gear selector and possibility of user error may be more.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 3,916
From: on my way
2012 CLS63
I once watched the shop foreman at a dealership open the door of a customer car as he was backing into a bay........the car jerked to a stop and it wasn't pretty.......
sometimes if I'm in a hurry I open my door before I jab it in park, so it actually saves me a step, but I have not made it a habit.......I just make sure I open the door and then select the gear if I need to move a little
sometimes if I'm in a hurry I open my door before I jab it in park, so it actually saves me a step, but I have not made it a habit.......I just make sure I open the door and then select the gear if I need to move a little
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 312
Likes: 11
From: Norway
2015 C 180 AMG Sportline W205
This is normal behavior for all Mercedes models with gear shifter by the steering.
This is a safety feature.
I believe you have to have the door open and then put it in drive, and it will work.
This is a safety feature.
I believe you have to have the door open and then put it in drive, and it will work.
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 600
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From: Sunshine State
2015 C300 RWD
I imagine this feature has saved my car from a few dings from the valet. With the push-button park on the stalk, it is a good feature and fail safe.
Last edited by floridadriver; Jun 21, 2015 at 08:05 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
I did have a friend who was crushed to death by a car door whilst attempting to pick up a newspaper when seated in the car. Her foot slipped to the throttle & the car lurched forward into a fence post.
This feature would have saved her.
Last edited by Carsy; Jun 21, 2015 at 04:52 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 308
Likes: 20
benzw205
Hello, so if if the car changes to P when opening the door, how can we park it in Neutral ? for example when parking in front of other cars that would need to push your car few meters to leave the car parks ?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 3
Likes: 4
ML 350
Shocked and injured.
I know this thread is old but for whatever reason, I needed to vent today. Over 5 years ago, this happened to me. I was backing very slowly out of my garage turning slightly once the garage opening was cleared in order to straighten the car to drive forward which I always do (rather than back all the way down the driveway). I had owned this vehicle for less than a couple of months. As was my habit with the ML350's predecessor, Toyota 4Runner, I cracked the door after completely clearing the garage to double-check behind me, just in case there was something low to the ground not visible from my mirror, (like a child's big toy). I wasn't used to using a backup camera and didn't quite "trust" it just yet. Sorely wish I had. The car came to an immediate jolting, jarring halt, exactly as others have described, and threw itself into park. My thought was that I had hit something (like a wall!) even though I had checked. Nothing else made sense. Figured there was a blind spot and I missed seeing whatever I had "hit".
Here is where the **** hits the fan. I was only outside of the car for a couple of seconds. In that time the car began to roll backward. Now I'm fairly athletic, but, unfortunately, as I tried to jump back into the car I slid while holding onto the door inside handle and grabbing at the steering wheel. The car continued to roll backward. At the back of our driveway, the yard begins to slightly decline as there is a gradual hill to the back corner of the lot. It all happened so quickly. As the car is picking up speed I fall to the ground and the left front tire runs over my left ankle. The car ends up at the bottom corner of our lot, still running, where any more movement is stopped by a combination of arborvitaes, a raised bed and a fence.
The part I've never understood is WHY the car came OUT of park. Since I was never able to fully return to the driver's seat or reach the shifter, I did not put the car into ANY other gear. This is still a mystery. I wondered if the "safety stop" is timed with the assumption the driver closes their door promptly after the jolt. Or perhaps just getting out of the car triggers something.
At any rate, I lived to tell the story, although it was a pretty horrible experience.
Thanks for listening.
Here is where the **** hits the fan. I was only outside of the car for a couple of seconds. In that time the car began to roll backward. Now I'm fairly athletic, but, unfortunately, as I tried to jump back into the car I slid while holding onto the door inside handle and grabbing at the steering wheel. The car continued to roll backward. At the back of our driveway, the yard begins to slightly decline as there is a gradual hill to the back corner of the lot. It all happened so quickly. As the car is picking up speed I fall to the ground and the left front tire runs over my left ankle. The car ends up at the bottom corner of our lot, still running, where any more movement is stopped by a combination of arborvitaes, a raised bed and a fence.
The part I've never understood is WHY the car came OUT of park. Since I was never able to fully return to the driver's seat or reach the shifter, I did not put the car into ANY other gear. This is still a mystery. I wondered if the "safety stop" is timed with the assumption the driver closes their door promptly after the jolt. Or perhaps just getting out of the car triggers something.
At any rate, I lived to tell the story, although it was a pretty horrible experience.
Thanks for listening.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 3,916
From: on my way
2012 CLS63
I know this thread is old but for whatever reason, I needed to vent today. Over 5 years ago, this happened to me. I was backing very slowly out of my garage turning slightly once the garage opening was cleared in order to straighten the car to drive forward which I always do (rather than back all the way down the driveway). I had owned this vehicle for less than a couple of months. As was my habit with the ML350's predecessor, Toyota 4Runner, I cracked the door after completely clearing the garage to double-check behind me, just in case there was something low to the ground not visible from my mirror, (like a child's big toy). I wasn't used to using a backup camera and didn't quite "trust" it just yet. Sorely wish I had. The car came to an immediate jolting, jarring halt, exactly as others have described, and threw itself into park. My thought was that I had hit something (like a wall!) even though I had checked. Nothing else made sense. Figured there was a blind spot and I missed seeing whatever I had "hit".
Here is where the **** hits the fan. I was only outside of the car for a couple of seconds. In that time the car began to roll backward. Now I'm fairly athletic, but, unfortunately, as I tried to jump back into the car I slid while holding onto the door inside handle and grabbing at the steering wheel. The car continued to roll backward. At the back of our driveway, the yard begins to slightly decline as there is a gradual hill to the back corner of the lot. It all happened so quickly. As the car is picking up speed I fall to the ground and the left front tire runs over my left ankle. The car ends up at the bottom corner of our lot, still running, where any more movement is stopped by a combination of arborvitaes, a raised bed and a fence.
The part I've never understood is WHY the car came OUT of park. Since I was never able to fully return to the driver's seat or reach the shifter, I did not put the car into ANY other gear. This is still a mystery. I wondered if the "safety stop" is timed with the assumption the driver closes their door promptly after the jolt. Or perhaps just getting out of the car triggers something.
At any rate, I lived to tell the story, although it was a pretty horrible experience.
Thanks for listening.
Here is where the **** hits the fan. I was only outside of the car for a couple of seconds. In that time the car began to roll backward. Now I'm fairly athletic, but, unfortunately, as I tried to jump back into the car I slid while holding onto the door inside handle and grabbing at the steering wheel. The car continued to roll backward. At the back of our driveway, the yard begins to slightly decline as there is a gradual hill to the back corner of the lot. It all happened so quickly. As the car is picking up speed I fall to the ground and the left front tire runs over my left ankle. The car ends up at the bottom corner of our lot, still running, where any more movement is stopped by a combination of arborvitaes, a raised bed and a fence.
The part I've never understood is WHY the car came OUT of park. Since I was never able to fully return to the driver's seat or reach the shifter, I did not put the car into ANY other gear. This is still a mystery. I wondered if the "safety stop" is timed with the assumption the driver closes their door promptly after the jolt. Or perhaps just getting out of the car triggers something.
At any rate, I lived to tell the story, although it was a pretty horrible experience.
Thanks for listening.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,433
Likes: 5,345
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
I know this thread is old but for whatever reason, I needed to vent today. Over 5 years ago, this happened to me. I was backing very slowly out of my garage turning slightly once the garage opening was cleared in order to straighten the car to drive forward which I always do (rather than back all the way down the driveway). I had owned this vehicle for less than a couple of months. As was my habit with the ML350's predecessor, Toyota 4Runner, I cracked the door after completely clearing the garage to double-check behind me, just in case there was something low to the ground not visible from my mirror, (like a child's big toy). I wasn't used to using a backup camera and didn't quite "trust" it just yet. Sorely wish I had. The car came to an immediate jolting, jarring halt, exactly as others have described, and threw itself into park. My thought was that I had hit something (like a wall!) even though I had checked. Nothing else made sense. Figured there was a blind spot and I missed seeing whatever I had "hit".
Here is where the **** hits the fan. I was only outside of the car for a couple of seconds. In that time the car began to roll backward. Now I'm fairly athletic, but, unfortunately, as I tried to jump back into the car I slid while holding onto the door inside handle and grabbing at the steering wheel. The car continued to roll backward. At the back of our driveway, the yard begins to slightly decline as there is a gradual hill to the back corner of the lot. It all happened so quickly. As the car is picking up speed I fall to the ground and the left front tire runs over my left ankle. The car ends up at the bottom corner of our lot, still running, where any more movement is stopped by a combination of arborvitaes, a raised bed and a fence.
The part I've never understood is WHY the car came OUT of park. Since I was never able to fully return to the driver's seat or reach the shifter, I did not put the car into ANY other gear. This is still a mystery. I wondered if the "safety stop" is timed with the assumption the driver closes their door promptly after the jolt. Or perhaps just getting out of the car triggers something.
At any rate, I lived to tell the story, although it was a pretty horrible experience.
Thanks for listening.
Here is where the **** hits the fan. I was only outside of the car for a couple of seconds. In that time the car began to roll backward. Now I'm fairly athletic, but, unfortunately, as I tried to jump back into the car I slid while holding onto the door inside handle and grabbing at the steering wheel. The car continued to roll backward. At the back of our driveway, the yard begins to slightly decline as there is a gradual hill to the back corner of the lot. It all happened so quickly. As the car is picking up speed I fall to the ground and the left front tire runs over my left ankle. The car ends up at the bottom corner of our lot, still running, where any more movement is stopped by a combination of arborvitaes, a raised bed and a fence.
The part I've never understood is WHY the car came OUT of park. Since I was never able to fully return to the driver's seat or reach the shifter, I did not put the car into ANY other gear. This is still a mystery. I wondered if the "safety stop" is timed with the assumption the driver closes their door promptly after the jolt. Or perhaps just getting out of the car triggers something.
At any rate, I lived to tell the story, although it was a pretty horrible experience.
Thanks for listening.
Last edited by superswiss; Jun 15, 2020 at 08:35 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 3
Likes: 4
ML 350
Yes, thanks for asking. Clean break. Quite luckily, I apparently have very dense bones despite being small-boned with rather "delicate" wrists and ankles. Docs had expected surgery including metal bits and pieces to put the ankle back together. Surprised them.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 431
Likes: 86
C400
I know this thread is old but for whatever reason, I needed to vent today. Over 5 years ago, this happened to me. I was backing very slowly out of my garage turning slightly once the garage opening was cleared in order to straighten the car to drive forward which I always do (rather than back all the way down the driveway). I had owned this vehicle for less than a couple of months. As was my habit with the ML350's predecessor, Toyota 4Runner, I cracked the door after completely clearing the garage to double-check behind me, just in case there was something low to the ground not visible from my mirror, (like a child's big toy). I wasn't used to using a backup camera and didn't quite "trust" it just yet. Sorely wish I had. The car came to an immediate jolting, jarring halt, exactly as others have described, and threw itself into park. My thought was that I had hit something (like a wall!) even though I had checked. Nothing else made sense. Figured there was a blind spot and I missed seeing whatever I had "hit".
Here is where the **** hits the fan. I was only outside of the car for a couple of seconds. In that time the car began to roll backward. Now I'm fairly athletic, but, unfortunately, as I tried to jump back into the car I slid while holding onto the door inside handle and grabbing at the steering wheel. The car continued to roll backward. At the back of our driveway, the yard begins to slightly decline as there is a gradual hill to the back corner of the lot. It all happened so quickly. As the car is picking up speed I fall to the ground and the left front tire runs over my left ankle. The car ends up at the bottom corner of our lot, still running, where any more movement is stopped by a combination of arborvitaes, a raised bed and a fence.
The part I've never understood is WHY the car came OUT of park. Since I was never able to fully return to the driver's seat or reach the shifter, I did not put the car into ANY other gear. This is still a mystery. I wondered if the "safety stop" is timed with the assumption the driver closes their door promptly after the jolt. Or perhaps just getting out of the car triggers something.
At any rate, I lived to tell the story, although it was a pretty horrible experience.
Thanks for listening.
Here is where the **** hits the fan. I was only outside of the car for a couple of seconds. In that time the car began to roll backward. Now I'm fairly athletic, but, unfortunately, as I tried to jump back into the car I slid while holding onto the door inside handle and grabbing at the steering wheel. The car continued to roll backward. At the back of our driveway, the yard begins to slightly decline as there is a gradual hill to the back corner of the lot. It all happened so quickly. As the car is picking up speed I fall to the ground and the left front tire runs over my left ankle. The car ends up at the bottom corner of our lot, still running, where any more movement is stopped by a combination of arborvitaes, a raised bed and a fence.
The part I've never understood is WHY the car came OUT of park. Since I was never able to fully return to the driver's seat or reach the shifter, I did not put the car into ANY other gear. This is still a mystery. I wondered if the "safety stop" is timed with the assumption the driver closes their door promptly after the jolt. Or perhaps just getting out of the car triggers something.
At any rate, I lived to tell the story, although it was a pretty horrible experience.
Thanks for listening.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 3
Likes: 4
ML 350
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
GL500
I noticed that if you open the door while the car is in (D) drive, it immediately goes into (P) Park, is this normal?
May seem logical to most but I was at a shop and was just moving the car a tiny bit and guiding myself.
What if a door was ajar when going slightly faster,and you open slightly to close it will it slam it into Park? doesn't seem that would be good for the tranny
May seem logical to most but I was at a shop and was just moving the car a tiny bit and guiding myself.
What if a door was ajar when going slightly faster,and you open slightly to close it will it slam it into Park? doesn't seem that would be good for the tranny
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 772
Likes: 81
From: Bayarea, California
2003 C320 coupe/c450 in Feb 2016
i guess you havnt seen those youtube videos where people open their car door and their can running into a wall, tree, or a person.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
c300 4Matic
So, there's that!!
