First long road trip - questions
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 640
Likes: 6
2015 GL450
First long road trip - questions
I replaced my former 2010 E550 with a 2015 GL450 last November.
I love the new ride! I drove about 40 hours in approximately 10 hour increments, plus some local driving. The vehicle is effortless. I have the standard seats, and had far fewer issues with my back with the standard seats. I had the multi contour seats on my E, and could never get them adjusted right. The standard seats on the GL were great. No adjustment necessary.
I had some issues though, and I wonder if anyone has input or advice.
First, I find there is a huge blindspot on the right rear side of the truck. I know how to set mirrors. If I set them far out, I cannot see vehicles in the gap of vision between the rear view mirror and the right side mirror. With the mirror farther in so that there is less gap, I cannot see cars closer in. In benign conditions, I test it, and there is always a gap in visibility. The left mirror I have nailed. Blind spot assist does not identify a car either, but there is one there. (Maybe the car I do not see doth protest too much when I move over, but it's closer than I like.) anyone with similar issues? Any suggestions? My passenger can see them just fine, but I cannot.
Second, I had problems the entire trip with people intentionally blocking me. I've never experienced that before, even in my E. They would drive 5 miles an hour under the speed limit for miles alongside other traffic, and then when things opened up they would speed up to 10-15 mph over the speed limit and stay in the left lane. If I tried to pass on the right, they would race me! I had to pass several at over 90 mph. I have never had this problem before. Has the world gone to sh*t since my last road trip, or is there something about the GL that invites this? I did notice that most doing this were males driving minivans.
For the record, I put cruise control at about 3-5 mph over the speed limit and try to maximize clean air. If I am not passing, I stay right. If passing, I speed up to the tempo of the faster traffic to hold no one up. I try to be courteous.
Third, my third row seats do not fold down without a push from behind. I will have it checked out at my next service visit, but any ideas?
I love the new ride! I drove about 40 hours in approximately 10 hour increments, plus some local driving. The vehicle is effortless. I have the standard seats, and had far fewer issues with my back with the standard seats. I had the multi contour seats on my E, and could never get them adjusted right. The standard seats on the GL were great. No adjustment necessary.
I had some issues though, and I wonder if anyone has input or advice.
First, I find there is a huge blindspot on the right rear side of the truck. I know how to set mirrors. If I set them far out, I cannot see vehicles in the gap of vision between the rear view mirror and the right side mirror. With the mirror farther in so that there is less gap, I cannot see cars closer in. In benign conditions, I test it, and there is always a gap in visibility. The left mirror I have nailed. Blind spot assist does not identify a car either, but there is one there. (Maybe the car I do not see doth protest too much when I move over, but it's closer than I like.) anyone with similar issues? Any suggestions? My passenger can see them just fine, but I cannot.
Second, I had problems the entire trip with people intentionally blocking me. I've never experienced that before, even in my E. They would drive 5 miles an hour under the speed limit for miles alongside other traffic, and then when things opened up they would speed up to 10-15 mph over the speed limit and stay in the left lane. If I tried to pass on the right, they would race me! I had to pass several at over 90 mph. I have never had this problem before. Has the world gone to sh*t since my last road trip, or is there something about the GL that invites this? I did notice that most doing this were males driving minivans.
For the record, I put cruise control at about 3-5 mph over the speed limit and try to maximize clean air. If I am not passing, I stay right. If passing, I speed up to the tempo of the faster traffic to hold no one up. I try to be courteous.
Third, my third row seats do not fold down without a push from behind. I will have it checked out at my next service visit, but any ideas?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 7
From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
I replaced my former 2010 E550 with a 2015 GL450 last November.
I love the new ride! I drove about 40 hours in approximately 10 hour increments, plus some local driving. The vehicle is effortless. I have the standard seats, and had far fewer issues with my back with the standard seats. I had the multi contour seats on my E, and could never get them adjusted right. The standard seats on the GL were great. No adjustment necessary.
I had some issues though, and I wonder if anyone has input or advice.
First, I find there is a huge blindspot on the right rear side of the truck. I know how to set mirrors. If I set them far out, I cannot see vehicles in the gap of vision between the rear view mirror and the right side mirror. With the mirror farther in so that there is less gap, I cannot see cars closer in. In benign conditions, I test it, and there is always a gap in visibility. The left mirror I have nailed. Blind spot assist does not identify a car either, but there is one there. (Maybe the car I do not see doth protest too much when I move over, but it's closer than I like.) anyone with similar issues? Any suggestions? My passenger can see them just fine, but I cannot.
Second, I had problems the entire trip with people intentionally blocking me. I've never experienced that before, even in my E. They would drive 5 miles an hour under the speed limit for miles alongside other traffic, and then when things opened up they would speed up to 10-15 mph over the speed limit and stay in the left lane. If I tried to pass on the right, they would race me! I had to pass several at over 90 mph. I have never had this problem before. Has the world gone to sh*t since my last road trip, or is there something about the GL that invites this? I did notice that most doing this were males driving minivans.
For the record, I put cruise control at about 3-5 mph over the speed limit and try to maximize clean air. If I am not passing, I stay right. If passing, I speed up to the tempo of the faster traffic to hold no one up. I try to be courteous.
Third, my third row seats do not fold down without a push from behind. I will have it checked out at my next service visit, but any ideas?
I love the new ride! I drove about 40 hours in approximately 10 hour increments, plus some local driving. The vehicle is effortless. I have the standard seats, and had far fewer issues with my back with the standard seats. I had the multi contour seats on my E, and could never get them adjusted right. The standard seats on the GL were great. No adjustment necessary.
I had some issues though, and I wonder if anyone has input or advice.
First, I find there is a huge blindspot on the right rear side of the truck. I know how to set mirrors. If I set them far out, I cannot see vehicles in the gap of vision between the rear view mirror and the right side mirror. With the mirror farther in so that there is less gap, I cannot see cars closer in. In benign conditions, I test it, and there is always a gap in visibility. The left mirror I have nailed. Blind spot assist does not identify a car either, but there is one there. (Maybe the car I do not see doth protest too much when I move over, but it's closer than I like.) anyone with similar issues? Any suggestions? My passenger can see them just fine, but I cannot.
Second, I had problems the entire trip with people intentionally blocking me. I've never experienced that before, even in my E. They would drive 5 miles an hour under the speed limit for miles alongside other traffic, and then when things opened up they would speed up to 10-15 mph over the speed limit and stay in the left lane. If I tried to pass on the right, they would race me! I had to pass several at over 90 mph. I have never had this problem before. Has the world gone to sh*t since my last road trip, or is there something about the GL that invites this? I did notice that most doing this were males driving minivans.
For the record, I put cruise control at about 3-5 mph over the speed limit and try to maximize clean air. If I am not passing, I stay right. If passing, I speed up to the tempo of the faster traffic to hold no one up. I try to be courteous.
Third, my third row seats do not fold down without a push from behind. I will have it checked out at my next service visit, but any ideas?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 640
Likes: 6
2015 GL450
Thanks. I'm not sure it's a blind spot assist failure, maybe more of a preference. In passing other vehicles, I noticed that the blind spot assist would wink out earlier than I was rwady to pull back in. Fine for parallel parking; a touch aggressive at 75 mph. So I think those that I "cut off" at speed were not really in danger, but I never had this issue before.
I really could not grasp the thinking of these people. Why slow down to impede me? What is the benefit? I would be happy to do 72 in a 70 and let everyone who wants to go faster just go on by. No, they have to screw with me.
Speaking of your Corvette, I recall the Michael Schumacher, one of history's greatest race car drivers, hated to be driven in taxis. Very often the taxi drivers would try to prove what great drivers they were, at great risk to Shumacher. Humans are funny.
ETA: In my experience, Corvette drivers are the most sedate and respectful drivers on the road. Porsche drivers are often the most aggressive and dangerous.
I really could not grasp the thinking of these people. Why slow down to impede me? What is the benefit? I would be happy to do 72 in a 70 and let everyone who wants to go faster just go on by. No, they have to screw with me.
Speaking of your Corvette, I recall the Michael Schumacher, one of history's greatest race car drivers, hated to be driven in taxis. Very often the taxi drivers would try to prove what great drivers they were, at great risk to Shumacher. Humans are funny.
ETA: In my experience, Corvette drivers are the most sedate and respectful drivers on the road. Porsche drivers are often the most aggressive and dangerous.
Last edited by ttoE550; Apr 13, 2015 at 10:13 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
Thanks. I'm not sure it's a blind spot assist failure, maybe more of a preference. In passing other vehicles, I noticed that the blind spot assist would wink out earlier than I was rwady to pull back in. Fine for parallel parking; a touch aggressive at 75 mph. So I think those that I "cut off" at speed were not really in danger, but I never had this issue before.
Blind spot assist is really meant to avoid an accident, in the event you make a bad technique lane change (slow down in front of you, etc).
