Easy exit feature - question
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 48
Likes: 15
From: DC Area
2026 e350
Easy exit feature - question
I turned on that easy exit feature, which I’ve had in many cars, so when I turn off the motor, the seat goes backwards and the steering wheel retract inward and up. However, in my new E350, when I turn off the motor, the seat actually goes forward a couple of inches! What the heck is going on?
Super Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 531
Likes: 224
From: New York, NY
2026 E53 wagon
I turned on that easy exit feature, which I’ve had in many cars, so when I turn off the motor, the seat goes backwards and the steering wheel retract inward and up. However, in my new E350, when I turn off the motor, the seat actually goes forward a couple of inches! What the heck is going on?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,322
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Where's your seat in relation to the B-pillar with your normal driving position? One of the obstacles you have to clear with a sedan to get out is the B-pillar. So if the seat is back, it may move forward so that you are lined up with the door opening and don't have to climb out from behind the B-pillar. This is a non-issue in cars with wider door openings such as you typically find in a 2 door coupe. The B-pillar is always behind the seat, so in my coupe the seat doesn't move at all as my normal driving position already facilitates an easy entry/exit. The other reason it might do that is to make it easier for the rear passenger to get in. If your seat is far back, it makes it harder for a rear passenger to get their feet out from under the seat or they may bang their legs trying to get in. So easy entry/exit isn't just for the driver in a sedan. Again this is a non-issue in a two door. My seat only moves forward when I fold it in order to let somebody into the rear seats. In a sedan the rear passengers have their own doors, so it tries to accommodate both the driver and whoever might be sitting behind them. You could argue that they could use sensors to detect if somebody is behind you, however that wouldn't help a passenger to easily get in the back. They could use sensors in the door and only move the seat forward if the rear door is opened. But should have/could have arguments aren't gonna change how MB decided to implement it.
Last edited by superswiss; Jan 21, 2026 at 04:58 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 479
Likes: 151
From: DFW Texas
GL450, E450, Porsche 718 GTS
I was perplexed by this when I first got my car but I believe superswiss has explained it nicely. This car isn’t the easiest vehicle in the world to get in and out of.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,322
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
FWIW, this is partly why I've always been a 2-door guy essentially. I strongly dislike the B-pillar being right next to my head and shoulder in a 4-door and essentially creating a blind spot in my peripheral vision. In a 2, 2+ or 2+2 I have much better visibility over my surroundings. I don't need to twist my head over my shoulder or rely on blind spot assist to see cars and obstacles next to me. The wider door opening also gives much more room to get in and out. Admittedly in a tight spot it's difficult to open the door far enough. I guess everything has a compromise somewhere. However, the front space in a sedan is far more compromised in order to accommodate rear passengers, whereas in a 2+2 it's all about the people in the front. Those who wanna ride in the back can take the bus if they don't like it 
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Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 96
Likes: 41
E450 Wagon, GLC300, E550
I don’t see it in the manual, but I thought that after the seat moves into the exit position, you can use the seat controls to set it into a position that you like and it will remember it next time. In my previous E cars, I had the exit position change on me after I stopped it’s motion because I had packages on the floor in the back. I later reset it to move back fully. I haven’t tried it in my new car, but maybe I will when I go out this afternoon.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 738
Likes: 175
From: NorCal
2015 ML350+2025 E350
It's a little more effort but you can use the seat memory buttons. They aren't beholding to B pillars. For example, you could set #3 to your exit choices for seat and steering wheel. When you get in press #1 to return to your preferred driving position.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 18
Likes: 7
'24 E450
I don’t see it in the manual, but I thought that after the seat moves into the exit position, you can use the seat controls to set it into a position that you like and it will remember it next time. In my previous E cars, I had the exit position change on me after I stopped it’s motion because I had packages on the floor in the back. I later reset it to move back fully. I haven’t tried it in my new car, but maybe I will when I go out this afternoon.
Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 96
Likes: 41
E450 Wagon, GLC300, E550
Looks like there are TSBs for this issue, but not necessarily an available remedy.
https://www.aboutautomobile.com/Tech...l-Terrain/Seat
https://www.aboutautomobile.com/Tech...l-Terrain/Seat
Senior Member
Joined: May 2025
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