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We have a 2015 GL350, love the vehicle, but have this one annoyance: the backup camera works great during the day, but at night, the picture is so dark you cannot hardly see anything. The backup camera is basically useless at night, unless you're in a well lit area with street lights and such. For comparison our 2012 S-class backup camera sees everything very clearly at night, even in pitch dark. Note my S-class does not have the night-vision option. This makes me wonder if the GL's camera is defective in some way? Or have others experienced the same thing, that the GL camera is crap at night time, and that's just how it is? I wonder if the 2017-2019 x166 "GLS" has a better camera we can use as an upgrade??
...the backup camera works great during the day, but at night, the picture is so dark you cannot hardly see anything.
Now that you mention it, I do remember folks complaining about the camera back when the X166 was new. I don't recall if the 2015 model was involved, but there was a software update for certain vehicles and discussions of DIY replacement with brighter reverse bulbs.
Now that you mention it, I do remember folks complaining about the camera back when the X166 was new. I don't recall if the 2015 model was involved, but there was a software update for certain vehicles and discussions of DIY replacement with brighter reverse bulbs.
Originally Posted by BlownV8
The software update should make a huge difference.
That's great news, sounds like a quick trip to the dealer for an easy fix. Thank you for the helpful info gentlemen. I'll follow up once it's done.
That's great news, sounds like a quick trip to the dealer for an easy fix. Thank you for the helpful info gentlemen. I'll follow up once it's done.
Following up on this, I did take the car to the MB dealer. It's a very large high volume dealership with a good reputation. They said there's nothing they can do, no software, no nothing, that's just how it is. And yes, brightness was turned all the way up, and the camera lens was clean.
Fast forward to a few months ago, and the GL got totaled by a negligent driver, rear-ended us at high speed when traffic suddenly came to a stop. I suspect the other driver was distracted, likely by her phone, as there was not even an attempt to slow down. Both vehicles totaled. Other driver had to be extracted from her mangled Toyota by the fire department. We drove the GL home from the crash! But the frame is bent and damaged to where insurance totaled it. Power trunk still opened and closed correctly, as did the soft-close rear doors! A pretty stout machine, for sure.
We've replaced the 2015 GL350 with a 2014 GL350, essentially the same vehicle. This 2014 however, the back up camera is bright and clear and easy to see everything, even on a moonless night! Obviously there is something very different between seemingly identical vehicles, to yield such a result.
Here is what I posted a couple of years ago. You have to specifically ask for and demand this SW update.... Resurrecting an old thread here-I had this done today on my 2015 GL and it made a huge difference at night. I can now back down my pitch-black driveway and see what's behind me on the screen! My SA, who is an great guy and has always done me right, said he checked with the shop who said it would not be applicable and probably not do anything, but I said I wanted it anyway.
Glad I did. It was worth the software update fee, even though some have argued it should have been covered under warranty, since it came out a couple of months after the car was off the assembly line.
So if you're in doubt, get this bulletin done if you cannot see from your 360 camera at night (LI54.65-P-059114).
Here is what I posted a couple of years ago. You have to specifically ask for and demand this SW update.... Resurrecting an old thread here-I had this done today on my 2015 GL and it made a huge difference at night. I can now back down my pitch-black driveway and see what's behind me on the screen! My SA, who is an great guy and has always done me right, said he checked with the shop who said it would not be applicable and probably not do anything, but I said I wanted it anyway.
Glad I did. It was worth the software update fee, even though some have argued it should have been covered under warranty, since it came out a couple of months after the car was off the assembly line.
So if you're in doubt, get this bulletin done if you cannot see from your 360 camera at night (LI54.65-P-059114).
Going to give this a shot with my MB dealer. Thanks.
03-25-2022, 10:55 PM
