2023 MB GLA 250 with Nav and every option available except HeadsUp display (apparently only AMG mod gets this option).

Giving my two cents to MB hoping they read this and learn.

Why would a car like mine that cost $49.5K before taxes not have an audible alarm when backing up and
an object (car, person, baby carriage, etc.) is likely to be struck?? Let alone one that would not automatically brake to
avoid contact?

Fortunately for me, it was only a shopping cart I hit that cracked the rear tail light housing.

MB you should be ashamed to make a car with just a backup camera as your only safety feature in this day and age.

 

Does this car have ultrasonic obstacle detection sensors (small round circles in the front and rear bumpers)?

 

No. I guess that should have been something I looked for before buying this car.

 

BTW: Here is the list of stuff in the car:
01U Preinstallation for Navigation Services 0B2 Vehicle production location Rastatt 100A ARTICO man-made leather upholstery 101A black 12B Operator's manual + service booklet-English USA/CAN 132 UMSTELLUNG AIRBAG-SG, SOFTWARE UND CRASH-SENSOREN 14U Smartphone integration 163 NVH-AKUSTIKPAKET 1 16U Carplay smartphone integration 17U Google Automotive Link smartphone integration 1B4 Communication module, North America version 1S6 ABGASANLAGE OHNE KLAPPE 218 Rear view camera 232 Garage door opener 233 DISTRONIC adaptive cruise control 242 Right electrically adjustable front seat with memory function 249 Automatically dimming mirrors 264 Licence plate for America 266 Active Steering Assist 270 Aerial for GPS 273 Exit warning assistant 275 Driver's seat, electrically adjustable with memory function 286 Luggage nets on left and right driver seat backrests 287 Folding seat backrests in rear passenger compartment 293 Sidebags in rear 294 Kneebag 310 Double cup holder 342B Language of instrument cluster/HU - American 345 rain sensor 34U Remote Services Premium 351 Mercedes-Benz emergency call system 355 Preinstallation for retrofitting navigation system 362 Communication module (LTE) for the use of Mercedes me connect services 365 Hard drive navigation 367 Pre-installation for Live Traffic Information 37U Advanced connectivity Plus 3U7 HU country set for North America 413 Automatic panoramic sliding sunroof 426 8G-DCT 428 Steering wheel gearshift buttons/steering wheel gearshift paddles - painted 430 Offroad package 443 Steering wheel heater 446 Touchpad 458 All-digital instrument display 461 Instrument with miles display + Engl. lettering 475 Tyre pressure monitoring system 485 Comfort suspension 494 USA version 4B8 USB-ADAPTERKABEL 500 Electrically folding exterior mirrors 502 Free map data updates for 3 years 513 Traffic Sign Assist 517 HD Radio 51U Roof liner fabric black 536 SIRIUS satellite radio 543 Sun visor with additional function 546 AUTOMATISCHE GESCHWINDIGKEITSREGELUNG 549 Connect 20 HIGH (NTG6) 551 Anti-theft warning system 581 Automatic air conditioning 632 LED high-performance headlamps 634 Omission of first-aid kit 636 Omission of warning triangle 668 Prod. prot. f. freight pkging with tie-down hooks 696U Night black 6P5 Sales control code for code 475 request 705L United States (USA) 725 Roof rails in chrome look 763 Radio remote control with panic switch (315 MHz) 7U2 Luxury seats 7XXL North and South America 803 Model year 2023 840 Heat-insulating, dark-tinted glass 859 20.3 cm (8-inch) TFT display 871 HANDS-FREE ACCESS 873 Heated front seats 875 Heated windscreen washer system 877 ambient lighting 889 KEYLESS-GO 890 EASY-PACK liftgate 897 Wireless charging system for mobile devices 8U6 Assistance system steering wheel control changeover 916 Fuel tank with a capacity of 80 litres 942 Load Compartment package 97R Light-alloy wheel 5-double-spoke design 18" all-round 986 Different VIN with model year 989 Identification label under windshield AA5 POWER VARIANT BASIC B09 Refrigerant compressor with magnetic clutch B13 Loading sill protector - chrome B59 DYNAMIC SELECT D43 STEUERCODE VERTRIEB DA5 STEUERCODE VERTRIEB DF5 STEUERCODE VERTRIEB DP1 STEUERCODE VERTRIEB F247 Model series 247 FH Hatchback GA Automatic transmission H23 Brown open-pore walnut wood trim HA Rear axle K15 Control code for service interval 15000 km K32 Active Lane Change Assist K34 Route-based speed adaptation K38 Noise regulations as per ECE R51-02 L LINKS-LENKUNG L3B Multifunction sports steering wheel in nappa leather M005 4MATIC M20 Displacement 2.0 liter M260 Inline 4-cylinder spark ignition engine M260 P17 KEYLESS-GO Comfort package P49 Mirror package P59 Progressive PAY Driving Assistance package PBF Navigation Connectivity Package PXV Control code for Sales R02 All season tyres R66 run-flat tyres R7H Wheel size 18" all-round variant 1 SAB No rating for country set U10 Automatic seat occupancy recognition and child seat recognition U12 Velour floor mats U19 MBUX augmented reality for navigation U22 4-way lumbar support U35 12 V socket in load area U37 Front fog lamps U55 Multi-link axle U59 Seat comfort package U62 HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION U80 115 V socket US3N
V90 Speed/load index 100H VL Left front axle half VR Right front axle half

 

I’m not going to wade through that option list, but if you have everything then you have the 360 degree camera. Something is not working. The cars with 360 all have automatic braking. All the GLA models have forward collision warning and automatic braking standard, but 360 degree is an option. The FCW is sensitive to the point of being aggravating.

That being said, something like an empty shopping buggy might not be detected because it’s not very solid. My daughter’s MB (not a GLA/B) brakes automatically when anything enters the 360 preset distance. My wife’s GLB brakes automatically when the neighbor’s Yorkie walks behind it. I had a GLA250 rental that jerked me to a stop backing out of a parking spot when a car crossed behind.

 

It doesn't look like you have the parking sensors that usually comes with the parking assist system... My GLK didn't have the parking sensors, so I was specifically looking for the parking sensors when I was buying the GLB. My GLB came with the parking assist that has the parking sensors and 360 camera, not with the driver's assist option. New generation GLC300 that I had as a loaner has the 360 camera+sensors with the active collision warning while even it is in parking mode.

GLB sensors beeps for everything eg a stone/barriers/bushes/stationary cars, etc close to the car and auto-breaks for any approaching pedestrians and cars both from front and rear of the car even before I see them. Parking assist has similar auto break function to driver's assist system as below eg breaks for crossing vehicles, pedestrians in rear. I don't know if it auto breaks to a shopping cart or stationary object as the hard breaks might be for pedestrians, cars, cyclists..







Also there is Drive Away Assists when I start the car or the Parking Assist is activated. Drive Away Asist with 360 cameras does not work above 5 mph speeds.

No system is fail safe yet unless you get a MB with self driving option with level 3 autonomy:

 

Thanks for the info OP. I HAVE experienced the automatic braking when driving and the car senses I am drifting
over the lane markers. But as for backing up, other than the cart, I get no beep or buzz if a car is passing behind.

 

The parking assist may well be the thing that is missing. The options only show "Active Steering Assist".
My other vehicle is a Jeep Cherokee that has the automatic parking and it
beeps whenever a object (vehicle, person, etc.) is close. Plus, there are settings for the range of the proximity sensors in the menus.

 

GLA/GLB parking assistant comes with 12 sensors around the car to detect any obstacles:
https://kufatec.com/en/complete-set-...***-h247/45741

 

Read the 2023 GLA manual on mbusa. What does it say about parking assist?

 

To OP;
it was difficult to wade through all of those options, however if ' 501 ' is not there, you do not have the 360 degree camera.
if the camera is required [I'm not sure if that is a fact], then you do not have the active braking.

 

No, I do not have option 501. I do have the Driving Assistance Package which I paid extra for and it includes:

Mercedes-Benz Driver Assistance Package Features:

• Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC®: Keeps you moving at a set speed, and adjusts your speed in response to the presence of other drivers
• Active Steering Assist: Keeps you centered in your lane at all times
• Evasive Steering Assist: Executes more controlled emergency maneuvers when you take evasive action
• Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function: Detects potential collisions and adjusts your braking pressure accordingly
• Active Emergency Stop Assist: Automatically slows and stops your vehicle if an imminent collision is likely to occur
• Active Speed Limit Assist: Automatically detects changes in the speed limit and adjusts your set speed accordingly
• Active Lane Keeping Assist: Returns you to the center of your lane if you cross over a road line
• Active Blind Spot Assist: Returns you to the center of your lane if you start to move while another vehicle is in your blind spot
• Active Lane Change Assist: Automatically transfers you to the lane of your choice when you leave the turn signal active for several seconds
• PRESAFE® PLUS: Closes the windows and adjusts settings in order to minimize the threat of a collision
• PRESAFE® Sound: Emits a sonic tone that protects the ears from damage in a collision
• Route-based Speed Adaptation

 

Lots of inaccurate posts on this thread.

Active braking and active emergency stop are used when the vehicle is driving at speed, and are not the same as parking assist at near-zero vehicle speed.

If @JayJayEff 's car does not have ultrasonic sensors in the bumpers, it will not detect a shopping cart.

The GLA is an economy car and MB has chosen to offer a not-fully-equipped base model. The parking assist option was not chosen by whoever ordered the vehicle.

 

Part of Parking Assist / PARKTRONIC system is Function of Cross Traffic Alert:
Vehicles with Blind Spot Assist or Active Blind Spot Assist: Cross Traffic Alert can warn drivers of any crossing traffic when backing up and maneuvering out of a parking space. The radar sensors in the bumper also monitor the area adjacent to the vehicle. If a critical situation is detected, the symbol appears in the media display. If the driver does not respond to the warning, the vehicle's brakes can be applied automatically.

Blind Spot Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist use two lateral, rear-facing radar sensors to monitor the area up to 130 ft (40 m) behind and 10 ft (3 m) next to your vehicle.

I had several hard breaks when a crossing car in the rear is approaching from 100' away while backing out between 2 cars... 360 camera is not detailed for that far and car applies the hard break like you hit something... The rear cross traffic alert functions same as the front cross traffic hard/emergency break...

 

Your car is missing the Parking Assistance Package, which is why you don't have the parking sensors. That system is called PARKTRONIC and it's part of the Parking Assistance Package, even though it's not specifically called out in the order guide. A basic backup camera is mandatory now in the USA, which is why you only have that. There are no parking sensors or any other parking assistance features, unless you option the Parking Assistance Package. This package will also add the 360 camera and the Active Parking Assist, with which the car can park itself.

 

Good points. The active brake assist shuts off at about 4 MPH. I haven’t researched the 360 camera option in detail, but every one I’ve driven won’t go anywhere if it detects anything with the camera in that preset distance. That Yorkie has stopped us from backing out of the driveway many times.

The GT43, which lives somewhere between E and S and has every option known to the gods, won’t even let me pull into a tight parking spot. But I wouldn’t expect that performance from A and B cars.

As for the OP’s complaint, I would have to place at least some of the blame on the dealer for not fully explaining what functions were or weren’t included in the option list. That’s especially important for a buyer coming from a domestic. One of the big surprises is that garage door openers are optional on MBs.

 

So, by all the information in the post's you guys have made, I am missing the parking assist feature. Being that I specifically asked the dealer to include all the safety feature options, and
besides not doing my own research, this is the result.

I want to thank all of you for the education and appreciate all the help you have given. I will probably look to replace this vehicle in the near future for reasons other than the missing options
anyway, so thanks again and consider this thread answered.

 

I read post #1 and thing - Okay, this idiot millennial does not belong on the roads....YOU are supposed to drive the car, not the car.

 

Odd Piggy - on my E63S with 360 it does NOT hit the brakes, just tells me something is there. Then again, I pay attention and dont count on technology to drive.....

 

Curious about that. What year is the E63S? The GT43 is built on an E chassis and I would have thought the system would be identical.

When something is in the 360 cam “danger zone” it doesn’t slam on the brakes like the collision warning does. It just won’t let you go anywhere. I didn’t even see the Yorkie the first time it happened. I got out of the GLB to try to figure out what was wrong.

I’m with you on the technology point. The owner’s manual makes the note that it’s just there to assist. My GLA base model has none of the optional stuff, just the standard backup cam, FCW, blind spot warning. Backup cam is nice, the other two are aggravating. Just don’t be too hard on the OP, he probably grew up surrounded by technology.

 

I do unfortunately agree. Today's younger drivers don't know what they are doing. I've driven most of the 25+ years w/o parking assistance systems and have never run over a shopping cart or similar. I will say this, though. Part of the problem are the ever larger vehicles. With SUVs in particular, you can't really see what's behind you, which has lead to the mandatory backup camera in the USA, because too many people have run over small children they couldn't see. Although, the GLA is not particularly large, it is higher up off the ground than a typical hatchback.

 

I am just 50...I learned to drive in a Jaguar XJS V12 Convert. (1989????)...that car was about 15' long. We had station wagons (equally as long), Suburbans, Jimmy and on and on. Not until the "Gas Crisis" did the smaller cars hit the scene. The K car, Omni, Pinto and on and on and on....they were driving blind spots. No seat belts, no air bags, and DUAL cigarette lighters! Oddly, we made it. The OP on the other hand is disappointed by the lowest model car made by MB because its robots did not protect him from him. IMO, the only reason this car was purchased is that so the MB logo could be in a few selfies.....

 

We shall email a trophy ;-)

And no, we NEED to be hard on these folks......

 

Guess I am getting soft in my old age. 😉 Vid reminds me of why I like Australia so much. Reminds me of the ‘50s US. There’s something to be said for selfies with the tri-star. At 1.8% of US sales it must be exclusive, right? And how about learning to drive on a ‘53 Plymouth Cranbrook Coupe? Its high tech features were a 3 on the tree and turn signals. My first ride was a ‘64 Olds 88. It had a helm instead of a steering wheel. 😉again!

 

I'm curious to understand why looking at your back up camera screen is too difficult for you? I have no problem looking at my back up camera screen when driving my daily driver to make sure that it's safe for me to back out of a parking space, etc. all of the time. I don't need an additional alarm to tell me when it's safe to back up because I can see with my eyes. My MB is old enough that it doesn't even have a back up camera. I guess driving older cars won't be an option for you. To be honest I find your complaint about not having an alarm in addition to your back up camera with a screen that you can actually look at with your eyes to be totally ridiculous.