Distronics Plus Failure
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 812
Likes: 86
From: Springboro, OH
16 GLC 19 Volvo XC40 06Corvette Z06
Distronics Plus Failure
After getting on the freeway attempted to engage Distronics Plus. It failed to engage, and instead, on the multifunction display, I observed the following message, "Radar sensors dirty."
It was snowing heavily and the roadway was extremely sloppy. Temperature was just above freezing.
I stopped at a gas station and inspected the sensors. Sure enough, they were completely covered by frozen precipitation. I cleaned them off and got back on the freeway. Distronic Plus operation normal.
By this time the weather had greatly improved and within several miles the roadway became dry. But I'm thinking if one is driving some distance in freezing or near freezing precip., repeated stops will be required to clean those sensors. Very inconvenient. In my case I had driven about six or seven miles on local streets to reach the freeway.
It was snowing heavily and the roadway was extremely sloppy. Temperature was just above freezing.
I stopped at a gas station and inspected the sensors. Sure enough, they were completely covered by frozen precipitation. I cleaned them off and got back on the freeway. Distronic Plus operation normal.
By this time the weather had greatly improved and within several miles the roadway became dry. But I'm thinking if one is driving some distance in freezing or near freezing precip., repeated stops will be required to clean those sensors. Very inconvenient. In my case I had driven about six or seven miles on local streets to reach the freeway.
Last edited by larrypmyers; Mar 23, 2016 at 10:38 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 812
Likes: 86
From: Springboro, OH
16 GLC 19 Volvo XC40 06Corvette Z06
Dirty sensors are mentioned in at least three places in the Operator's Manual. In the section detailing Distronic Plus operation. In the section concerning Parktronic. And lastly in the Care section which in turn refers you to the Digital Operator's Manual.
In my defense I equate our Operator's Manual about as easy to read as a Tolstoy novel. It would be much better if tech. pubs. could keep it away from the legal department.
Further, I'm a lousy driver with Distronic Plus and even more so without. So I think I'm going to assign the position of "sensor cleaner" to my spouse. Am thinking a cleaning interval of every 25/30 miles should suffice.
Last edited by larrypmyers; Mar 24, 2016 at 09:30 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 161
From: Melbourne, Australia
2016 GLC 250d AMG pack, 2017 GLC Coupe 250d AMG pack , 2002 BMW 330Ci convertible, 2021 BMX X1 sD20i
Hi, manual in our Mazda3 stated not to use screen glass coatings over the area where the radar and cameras operate, as the coating might confuse or interfere with safe operation of sensors. I presume it's like rain or anti glare, streak coatings for front windscreens.
Cheers
Cheers
Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 174
Likes: 13
From: Los Angeles
GLC 300
Hi, manual in our Mazda3 stated not to use screen glass coatings over the area where the radar and cameras operate, as the coating might confuse or interfere with safe operation of sensors. I presume it's like rain or anti glare, streak coatings for front windscreens.
Cheers
Cheers
