distronic radar -- can you turn it off?
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
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2008 AMG E63
distronic radar -- can you turn it off?
Question for all those with distronic plus with brake assist--the one with the front k-band radar. My question which I cannot find the answer anywhere (including the dealer!) is CAN YOU TURN THE WHOLE SYSTEM OFF, INCLUDING THE RADAR???
I'm in the market for a new E-Class, and I want to be sure I can turn it off for when I am using my radar detector. I am hoping that if you can turn it off, it turns off the radar signals as well, so as to not falsely trip my radar detector's K-Band bandwidth.
I appreciate any help in this matter. Thanks so much.
I'm in the market for a new E-Class, and I want to be sure I can turn it off for when I am using my radar detector. I am hoping that if you can turn it off, it turns off the radar signals as well, so as to not falsely trip my radar detector's K-Band bandwidth.
I appreciate any help in this matter. Thanks so much.
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 119
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From: Perth, Western Australia
W212 E500, W164 320CDI, W116 450SEL 6.9, W116 450 SEL.
I have distronic and have a radar detector fitted to my E500.
There is some minimal false noise when maneuvering at low speed or parking but nothing to speak of on the open road.
My detector is a Vengeance 2 which is locally produced in Western Australia and provides much better response to the slant beam Ka band photo radar used here than any Bell, escort, Passport etc as the radar is used in a vertical plane whereas most imported detectors use a horizontal array.
It picks up X, K, Ka and laser - usually the X band is turned off and any falsing is heard on the K band and only when a large metal object is a few feet in front.
No real issues in normal day to day driving.
Bill
There is some minimal false noise when maneuvering at low speed or parking but nothing to speak of on the open road.
My detector is a Vengeance 2 which is locally produced in Western Australia and provides much better response to the slant beam Ka band photo radar used here than any Bell, escort, Passport etc as the radar is used in a vertical plane whereas most imported detectors use a horizontal array.
It picks up X, K, Ka and laser - usually the X band is turned off and any falsing is heard on the K band and only when a large metal object is a few feet in front.
No real issues in normal day to day driving.
Bill
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 345
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From: NY
2010 E550 4matic, 2008 MDX, 2011 335i Vert
Disagree with the previous poster. I have distronic, blind spot assist and a V1 on my 2010 E550. When I bought the car the V1 was going off all the time. I have disabled K band detection on my V1 as a consequence. Most cops use Ka or laser these days (at least so I've found in m y driving in the northeast...I am sure someone here will disagree with me)
You can turn the radar system (both distronic and blind spot assist) off in the main settings menu of the car...takes seconds. (there are warnings in the manual about specific places where you may be required to turn them off...like near radio telescopes. I also thought I read that US drivers are required to turn the system off when driving in Canada)
I have heard mid-city engineering (advertiser on this site) has made a special interfact for distronic and V1 that allows them to co-exist better (shows V1 output on the ip screen)
You can turn the radar system (both distronic and blind spot assist) off in the main settings menu of the car...takes seconds. (there are warnings in the manual about specific places where you may be required to turn them off...like near radio telescopes. I also thought I read that US drivers are required to turn the system off when driving in Canada)
I have heard mid-city engineering (advertiser on this site) has made a special interfact for distronic and V1 that allows them to co-exist better (shows V1 output on the ip screen)
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Toronto
MY17 E43 Matte Selenite/Macchiato Beige, MY16 GLE350d Tenorite/Crystal Grey, MY17 B250
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3
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2008 AMG E63
Thanks for the replies...it makes me feel good that I can quickly turn the entire system off and use the radar detector.
Seems like it is hit or miss with the false positives on K-Band. I also remember reading somewhere that the only place MB doesn't have IR block on the windshield is low center--so any detector not placed there will not work at it's best.
Seems like it is hit or miss with the false positives on K-Band. I also remember reading somewhere that the only place MB doesn't have IR block on the windshield is low center--so any detector not placed there will not work at it's best.
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 119
Likes: 2
From: Perth, Western Australia
W212 E500, W164 320CDI, W116 450SEL 6.9, W116 450 SEL.
My detector is placed low centre to the right of the sensor and parktronic display ( RHD ) with a cord neatly tucked away and fed by the convenient display in the glove box.
I also have blind spot assist as well as distronic and no problems with it all functioning together - I am thinking that my locally designed detector has a few advantages.
Bill
I also have blind spot assist as well as distronic and no problems with it all functioning together - I am thinking that my locally designed detector has a few advantages.
Bill
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 978
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From: Essex County, NJ
2011 E350 Sport 4Matic - P2 & Drivers Assist / 2010 C300 Sport 4Matic - P2 / 2013 Porsche Cayenne S
Yes you can turn the entire system off. I have an Escort 8500 x2 and the Distronic+ and the radar detector happily co-exist together.
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Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 178
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From: Westchester County, NY
'11 E550 4MATIC, '07 Suzuki SV1000S
Distronic
It's a bit of an expensive option to get if you are planning on turning it off...I almost always (talkin' 99.9% of the time) drive with my V-1 on and that to me was the show stopper for the distronic/brake assist set up. I special ordered my car with the Sport and Wheel package and WITHOUT the "required" Driver Assistance Package. It can be done - just means you'll wait longer for your car.
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 345
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From: NY
2010 E550 4matic, 2008 MDX, 2011 335i Vert
Fortunately you can turn off k band detection on a v1. It leaves a hole in your coverage unfortunately and the benefits of the radar systems on the car outweigh the benefits of the radar detector which, with the laser threat is never perfect anyway. I suppose if I get enough points on my license that another ticket would screw me I'll have to plan
