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I haven't tried them myself, but the new capacitive buttons are a major source of complaints. Drove the EQS, but didn't use the steering wheel buttons, however I tried to change the drive mode, and I had to look down and press multiple times until I hit it just right. They are frankly stupid. No other way to really describe it. It's one single button and depending on where you press it, it triggers a different function or none at all if you press it outside the recognized areas. Lately, car ergonomics seem to take one step forward and two steps back. As an engineer myself I can't make sense of how anyone thinks this is an improvement from a UX standpoint over the previous individual physical buttons. I can only think that the bean counters told the engineers to make the buttons cheaper and this is what they came up with. A single large button with software to simulating multiple buttons.
Last edited by superswiss; Dec 29, 2021 at 05:06 PM.
I hear what you're saying, but these 2 buttons are "real". (apart from the swipe function on the "set" button)
so you actually feel them being pushed inwards when pushing either on top, or at the bottom.
So it's weird when they don't respond, and not sure if it's supposed to be like this.
I hear what you're saying, but these 2 buttons are "real". (apart from the swipe function on the "set" button)
so you actually feel them being pushed inwards when pushing either on top, or at the bottom.
So it's weird when they don't respond, and not sure if it's supposed to be like this.
Maybe I wasn't clear. Yes, it is a "real" button, but that entire cluster is a single "real" button that pushes in as a whole, but depending on where your finger is placed when you are pushing it in, a different function is triggered. So it's a combination of capacitive and real button. It has real haptic feedback, but the whole thing moves as a single unit and if you touch it outside the capacitive areas and push it then nothing will happen as you are experiencing.
I have a 21 E450 and I find the new steering wheel buttons frustrating as well. I am on my 2nd 2021 E450 wagon and both had the some consistency issue with the buttons to change either of the screens, volume and cruise control. I find sliding my finger on those works more consistently then trying to press it directly. I would have preferred the previous version of the steering wheel.
Are you sure any of the new steering wheel buttons are "real"? Try with a pen intended for smartphone touchscreens.
I never cancel cruise from the cancel button. In any dangerous situation you would not have time for that, just press the brake pedal instead.
I guess everyone is different, I don’t recall ever using the cancel button. If I want to cancel, I hit the brakes. Good to keep the old foot limbered up. Since with adaptive CC, I can go a long time without moving my foot. I always drive with my foot hovering above the brake pedal.
I guess everyone is different, I don’t recall ever using the cancel button. If I want to cancel, I hit the brakes. Good to keep the old foot limbered up. Since with adaptive CC, I can go a long time without moving my foot. I always drive with my foot hovering above the brake pedal.
That sounds uncomfortable. I definitely use the cancel button if I want to fully take over while speeding up.
That sounds uncomfortable. I definitely use the cancel button if I want to fully take over while speeding up.
My foot is on the floor. It’s no difference than it being on the gas. Not uncomfortable at all. The time I cancel it is if I don’t think the ACC is reacting quick enough. Then it’s logical to have your foot on the brake anyway.
My foot is on the floor. It’s no difference than it being on the gas. Not uncomfortable at all. The time I cancel it is if I don’t think the ACC is reacting quick enough. Then it’s logical to have your foot on the brake anyway.
Yeah, I get that, but the whole point of ACC is that you don't have to keep your foot on the throttle pedal in one position all the time. You are just moving that to the brake pedal. Anyway, not really a big deal and not the topic of the thread. Have to be ready to brake at all times, so up to each one individually how they stay ready.
I can't seem to get used to it.
it's really annoying (and a bit dangerous) to clearly push a button which is then irresponsive.
will see with dealer if this is considered "normal"
I too have a 21 E450. Add to the complaints above that capacitive switches work hardly at all with gloves, even medium-weight polyester-knit ones.
Good point, neither do touchscreens and touchpads. I wear driving gloves when I go for a hard drive as not to get the DINAMICA all sweaty on the steering wheel. That would be real annoyance not being able to change a setting mid drive.
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cruise control button irresponsive when pressing lower area
