I noticed there was a setting in MBUX where you can have the doors lock automatically while driving, but I don't understand the point of that on this car because of the recessed door handles.

I understand why you would want to lock the doors on another car that has regular door handles. (To prevent someone outside opening the door and car-jacking you). But this new E-Class has recessed door handles which makes it impossible for someone outside to open the door while you're driving, so there's really no point in locking the doors.

Am I missing something?

 

I may be wrong on this. But imagine you stop at the traffic lights waiting for the lights to turn green, since you are in your car with your key fob, if your car is unlocked, someone can go to the car door, wipe the door handle, and open the car door and gain entry into the car. Presumably, if the car is locked but with the engine running, it would prevent the door handles from extending out even if someone wipes at them from the outside.

 

Yup, they will pop out if unlocked and someone touches them. The retracted handles are not a security feature but to improve aerodynamics.

 

There's also the trunk and fuel door that somebody could open. Drop something in the gas tank or steel something from your trunk. I once pulled over in front of a restaurant with a previous car of mine. Wanted to let my friends and wife out while I go look for a parking spot. While we were talking and before anybody opened the door from the inside, a passerby tried to gain access to my trunk. We stayed in the car and I pulled out and kept on driving.

 

Those are some good points. I hadn't thought about that.

I had deactivated the auto-lock feature, but I think I'll reactivate it.

Thanks.

 

Why did you not just back up

 

For decades...

the concept has been that you're less likely to be ejected from your car in a severe accident if the door is locked while driving.

Auto locking is a SAFETY feature.

I want to think this is actually mentioned in the owner's manual. Most -- if not all -- driver's training classes teach this.

 

I have not heard that one. On the contrary, some argue that auto locking doors can be less safe in an accident. If you are unconscious or for some reason unable to open the door from the inside, there's a chance that bystanders can't get you out of the car. The doors are supposed to automatically unlock in case of an accident, but that's putting your trust into the battery still being connected and crucial parts not being damaged that are required for this to happen. The retractable door handles pose another challenge if they don't extend to let bystanders open the door. There has been at least one case of a Tesla accident I'm aware of, where the occupants burned to death, because the bystanders couldn't open the doors to get them out in time due to the door handles not extending. So it is a double-edged sword.

 

Not sure about MB, but Renault @80s, YES Renault, already had an automatic semi-unlock (likely some accelerometer) where their locks will pop under certain conditions.

At the time, the highways potholes of all sizes and sometimes mine will pop. There was a reset under the dashboard.

I would expect MB locks to pop up in a collision as well

 

Car doors automatically lock while driving primarily as a safety feature, to prevent doors from accidentally opening during driving, which could potentially throw passengers out of the car, and to deter carjacking by making it harder for someone to open the door while the vehicle is in motion; this is especially important for protecting children who might try to open a door while driving.

see: https://www.google.com/search?q=Why+...t=gws-wiz-serp

 

Just to add a caveat here. Locked doors generally don't keep you from opening the door from the inside. One pull on the inside door handle opens a locked door in most cars. BMW if I remember correctly requires two pulls. First one unlocks the door and the second one opens it, but in MBs etc. you can always open a locked door from the inside with one pull. Even while the car is in motion as far as I know, because I've been able to open the locked driver's door while in motion for example. This in itself is a safety mechanism to make sure the occupants can always escape in an emergency w/o panicking about a locked door. To keep children from opening the doors and falling out, you MUST engage the child lock to prevent them from opening the rear doors from the inside.