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2019 E 450 4 Matic T-model, 2014 Jag F-Type vert, 2004 Volvo V70R
Radar Sensors in the Rain
While driving cross country in the rain I received the message “Radar sensors dirty. No distancing information.” Then after a minute or so there was a new message “Distancing restored”. Obviously after two days in the rain the radar sensors were not dirty. Does anyone have any idea as to what was going on and what if any action might be required. The distronic cruise control and the lane keeping assist are very important features when driving in inclement weather. Thanks.
Cruise control and DISTRONIC are specifically not meant to be used in inclement weather. It's highly discouraged, because if you lose traction due to aquaplaning, cruise control will misread it and accelerate, making the problem even worse. Radar specifically is affected by rain and snow. The radar signal bounces off the rain drops and/or snow flakes which can effectively make it blind. The message is just a generic message letting you know that it has trouble detecting obstacles because of dirt or the inclement weather.
2019 E 450 4 Matic T-model, 2014 Jag F-Type vert, 2004 Volvo V70R
Thank you. In my situation I do not drive in snow and very rarely even in rain and so I was very surprised that the driving assistance functions behaved as they did. It strikes me that inclement weather is exactly when you need driving assistance the most. I hope what you have described does not prevail in aviation.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by Hundens
Thank you. In my situation I do not drive in snow and very rarely even in rain and so I was very surprised that the driving assistance functions behaved as they did. It strikes me that inclement weather is exactly when you need driving assistance the most. I hope what you have described does not prevail in aviation.
Aviation uses GPS and radar which bounces off objects.
In the Mercedes the driver's assist takes reflections from the center line and side lines in the road to keep you centered. Those lines in rain and snow cannot be seen and in snow will be covered. The radar which controls emergency braking I bet is still working. But if part of the system is not working then you get that message. Mercedes wants you the driver in these conditions to have control of the car. This I assure you is a liability issue.
Thank you. In my situation I do not drive in snow and very rarely even in rain and so I was very surprised that the driving assistance functions behaved as they did. It strikes me that inclement weather is exactly when you need driving assistance the most. I hope what you have described does not prevail in aviation.
All radio waves bounce off obstructions, and will either return to the waveguide (that thingy in a Radar that transmits the micro-waves) or scatter. Same thing happens when they hit the raindrops (including refraction of the wave/pulse) or snowflakes. In Aviation and Marine Radars there are several controls to increase "gain" and reduce "scatter" and so much more. They couldn't have been giving you such controls to be adjusted just when a car was to pass under a rain-cloud or a snow-shower, that would be too involving and would be best left to a passenger, maybe "co-pilot"(?) and driving would be pretty useless at that point. You are correct that inclement weather is when you need more driving assistance, but believe me, Radar controls to be adjusted are not what you need in your driving experience! If it is not the day to enjoy a drive in the rain or snow, best is to pull over and wait for it to pass!
Thank you. In my situation I do not drive in snow and very rarely even in rain and so I was very surprised that the driving assistance functions behaved as they did. It strikes me that inclement weather is exactly when you need driving assistance the most. I hope what you have described does not prevail in aviation.
Please take this advice. If you don’t believe us then find someone you do trust. When it rains, the streets are slippery. You should never use cruise. In the rain, the cameras won’t be able to see the lines for LKAS. Bottom line, bad idea.
r. It's highly discouraged, because if you lose traction due to aquaplaning, cruise control will misread it and accelerate, making the problem even worse..
Yes indeed. An EXPESIVE lesson i learned last year
Thank you. In my situation I do not drive in snow and very rarely even in rain and so I was very surprised that the driving assistance functions behaved as they did. It strikes me that inclement weather is exactly when you need driving assistance the most. I hope what you have described does not prevail in aviation.
I see what you mean,, but driving assistance only works with cruise on . and cruise should NEVER be used during the rain .
(believe me i know from experience as i totalled my car last year by putting it on it's roof: aquaplaning with cruise on ....)
so with cruise off, all other assistance will have to be off too
2019 E 450 4 Matic T-model, 2014 Jag F-Type vert, 2004 Volvo V70R
I am unaware of MB, GM, Tesla, or any other manufacturer saying do not use driver assist functions in inclement weather. Maybe it’s hidden in the fine print
I am unaware of MB, GM, Tesla, or any other manufacturer saying do not use driver assist functions in inclement weather. Maybe it’s hidden in the fine print
Unfortunately, driver education is practically non-existent in the USA, but not using CC in inclement weather is something that they teach in proper driving schools for example. I learned this a long time ago. Owners manuals may not specifically say this as their job is not to teach you how to drive, but there are usually reminders throughout that you are the responsible party and it's your responsibility to adapt your driving style to weather conditions etc. and reminding you that these systems are all subject to the laws of physics. For example below is the paragraph from my owners manual pointing out that CC cannot take weather into account and cannot override the laws of physics. If you are finding yourself challenged driving in inclement weather, the solution is not to rely on driver assistance features, but to pull over and wait it out or not hit up the roads in the first place.
I am unaware of MB, GM, Tesla, or any other manufacturer saying do not use driver assist functions in inclement weather. Maybe it’s hidden in the fine print
2019 E 450 4 Matic T-model, 2014 Jag F-Type vert, 2004 Volvo V70R
I would describe that as a minimalist disclosure. Not at all like saying these functions will be unavailable a significant part of the time. Tesla is famous for overpromising what it delivers. I will give full credit to GM and MB for not doing that. But I think a more forceful disclosure is appropriate.
I would describe that as a minimalist disclosure. Not at all like saying these functions will be unavailable a significant part of the time. Tesla is famous for overpromising what it delivers. I will give full credit to GM and MB for not doing that. But I think a more forceful disclosure is appropriate.
Oh the USA where people have to be warned that the coffee may be hot.
2019 E 450 4 Matic T-model, 2014 Jag F-Type vert, 2004 Volvo V70R
Super, I suggest you read the court’s opinion in the McDonald’s case. The record fully supported the decision. There was a known problem that was ignored.
Super, I suggest you read the court’s opinion in the McDonald’s case. The record fully supported the decision. There was a known problem that was ignored.
It was tongue in cheek, but I think you know what I'm getting at. The level of warning labels in this country is flat out ridiculous. Common sense and education has gone out the window.
I do agree that it's not common knowledge that you should not use the cruise when it rains...
It is unfortunately not. On the other hand I kinda don't understand how having something like CC potentially accelerating the car w/o your input on a slippery road where the likelihood of skidding and losing control is higher is not an instant scary thought to some people. Last thing you want if you are aquaplaning or losing traction in slippery conditions is the car continue to accelerate. That's instant panic.
People need the formality of disclosures -- clear and comprehensive ones -- so that they don't use these types of features in snow and rain? Fallacious at best in my humble opinion, nothing more than standing on -- the need for a -- formality.
Distronic inoperative, active blind spot assist inoperative, active lane assist
Sorry for the long message
Please if anyone can help my e220d 2016 w213 model has active lane assist, active blind spot assist, distronic cruise control and active blind spot assist none of them are working currently, the problem occurred randomly with no bad weather or anything like that I have had the car scanned with a xentry scanner and it showed the module in the picture below(Control Unit Intelligent Drive unit Part no.A2139007109) is receiving no power. Has anyone had this before ? Isit something to do with the starter or auxiallary battery’s ? Any help would be much appreciated feel free to ask any questions thank you.
PS everything else is working fine such as the Hold feature, self parking, start stop all entertainment features etc.
N62/4 is the module in this picture that the xentry showed as no power being received
05-25-2022, 10:39 PM
