GLE43_Sube

Just taking an informal poll. How many of you use Parking Pilot? How well has it worked for you? How accurate is it, as far as avoiding curbs, etc? Do you use it for "exiting" parking spaces as well?

Thanks!

nookie

Used park assist once to try it. thats it.

GLE43_Sube

From the lack of responses, it seems like either nobody uses it or maybe nobody "knows" how to use it. Or, it's more of a novelty feature. Once you use it to see how/if it works, you continue to rely on your own driving skills. There are a ton of "cautions" in the owner's manual regarding certain situations that might affect its accuracy. If you grew up in the city, you probably learned how to parallel park before you learned how to drive. But a lot of people do struggle with parking. I once had a neighbor who believed in the "park by feel" method of parking. He would go back and forth in the parking space, using "impact" with the cars in front and back to judge his distance. I literally watched him do this numerous times. Pretty scary. Also, I think that Tesla incident somewhat put a damper on autonomous driving.

Chefcct

I use it sometimes as I am not in that situation very often.
It has worked perfectly every time except once for the past year.

GLE43_Sube

What happened that "once"?

cadman_ks

This is my biggest thing. I've tried to use it, and I haven't quite got it all figured out yet. I can't quite figure out what it is that gets the cycle started. I know what it's supposed to be, but it doesn't seem to be consistent.

I have also started a couple of cycles, and stopped them, because I don't trust what it's doing. I for one, have never had a hard time parallel parking, though, so it's something that I don't know that I totally trust in the car.

Probably more of a novelty for me than anything...

sayhibob

I have it, but have only used it about a half dozen times...just playing with it and testing it. I find it a bit of a gimmick. When I must park between two vehicles, I try to select a space that is plenty wide enough. I can't seriously imagine ever willingly deciding to park in a space that would be so tight that I'd need to rely on this automation. I have more confidence in my own abilities than I would giving up control to this pilot assist. Plus, it seems to me that a space that tight would also guarantee door dings from adjacent vehicles. Nonetheless, it is curiously interesting, if not somewhat entertaining, but it is also a little scary. However, I can envision that the parallel parking will have more utility. But I just haven't felt the need to use it either.

Like many here, I generally try to park away from other vehicles, or park where I can border a natural barrier of some kind if I have a choice. I don't mind the walk.

baobay

I use it when I want to show it off to people, otherwise its a lot quicker and easier for me to park. Very inaccurate in vertical parking. OK in parallel parking.

cadman_ks

This is our MO to a tee. We NEVER park close to another vehicle unless it's one of those prearranged parking situations like at the ball park, and even then, I'm tying to get out as far as I can. The last time that we went to the ball park, we went SO early that the parking lot attendants were not even parking cars yet. The lot was open, but they weren't on the job. We got to park in an end slot.

cadman_ks

I haven't had a chance to use try it yet on parallel parking, but I've noticed the same thing with vertical parking. It gets REALLY REALLY close to the other vehicles.

One "tool" that we have on our's is the 360 view. At the end of the day, this is probably the one thing that I use more than anything, and so far, it's been very accurately displayed. It's very easy to see how close you are to other obstacles...

drwolf

I dont know if park assist/parktronic is the same but i barely use it myself, the rear view camera is a huge help, i think the surround camera is the best one to use when parking manuvering

GLE43_Sube

That's pretty much the consensus in a nutshell.

I'll share my thoughts once I actually get to use the feature. I haven't even driven the car yet. I'm still recovering from surgery, and now the car is at the detailer getting paint protection film and window tint.

RA112623

absolutely no plan on ever using it. had to get it to get the surround cameras and sensors. it would be nice if they separate the package. ron

sayhibob

"...the 360 view.."



Much more valuable than Parking Pilot! The 360 view is just about my FAVORITE of the techno features. It is the best tool for situational awareness. The hi-res screen is fantastic and I use it nearly every time I pull into (or out of) a parking spot in either forward or reverse. But, I wish that it was AUTOMATICALLY displayed while going FORWARD into a parking spot, say, anytime under 5 mph or so. It does activate, of course, when the vehicle is stopped or moving slowly forward up to 12 mph if the "vehicle" button is pushed and continuously held for three seconds or so...which is only a minor inconvenience/work around. I just wish that it was automatic without having to first be in reverse gear.

sayhibob

deleted duplicate post

longslim

I really wanted the 360 view, but you have to package it with the Parking Pilot. When I put my order in trying to get under a certain dollar amount that was a easy trade off. I got the Panorama roof instead. I just knew it was a gimmick I would never use nor need.

350MH83

I used it every day on my former ML to park in front of my daughter's school. Always worked as advertised for me. Never used it to pull out of parking lot though.
On my GLS I havent used it yet.

baobay

I wouldn't get a car without 360 degree cam...As essential as lighting package IMO.

GLE43_Sube

I agree. That was my main interest in the parking package.

baobay

Doesn't work too well when the cameras are dirty like in the snow or heavy rain but I like how rear view camera retracts when not in use so it never gets dirty.

GLE43_Sube

The rear camera lens will get water spots when you park during rain/snow. Just FYI, it has a dedicated "Cleaning Mode". Page 49 of the Command Manual. It doesn't clean the camera for you. It only opens the camera door (without being in reverse) to give you an opportunity to clean it.


Opening the camera cover for cleaning -

To select "Open Camera Cover" in the 360°
camera menu, turn the controller and press to
confirm. The "Please Wait" message appears for
approximately three seconds. The camera cover opens.

The camera cover closes automatically if:
the ignition is switched off
the vehicle exceeds a moderate speed

yxc145

I have never used it. Wanted to try it once, but the traffic behind me scared me. I don't want to be the guy that people honk their horn at. Thought I could do it faster on my own.

GLE43_Sube

Make sure to have your turn signal on so they can see you're trying to park. If you already did and they still honked, they're impatient idiots.

caligalmb

I actually use it any time I parallel park. I hate parallel parking and once I figured out the cycle to get it to turn on, I always use it. Makes city parking less stressful for me.

longslim

I understand why this feature is cool, and it is handy. But I will still always look myself, as I do with the backup camera.