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2026 GLE 450 issues/questions

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Old Jun 9, 2026 | 04:59 PM
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2026 GLE 450 issues/questions

I leased a 2026 GLE 450 a few months ago. Turned in a 2023 GLE 450 at lease end and re-upped to another GLE. I noticed right away a rear-end noise, like something is sliding around in the back, a small ka-thunk-type sound, most noticeable when coming to a stop. Took the vehicle in to the dealer and was informed this is normal, something about cameras activating/deactivating (??). Is this a thing? New to me, it's very noticeable, and I find it pretty irritating in a car of this class. My 2023 GLE did not do this.
Next, I went to a car wash recently and tried to activate car wash mode like I did on my 2023. Nowhere to be found, did this go completely away?
I thought the '26 would have some upgrades and improvements over the '23, so far I'm underwhelmed.

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Old Jun 9, 2026 | 06:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Geba
I leased a 2026 GLE 450 a few months ago. Turned in a 2023 GLE 450 at lease end and re-upped to another GLE. I noticed right away a rear-end noise, like something is sliding around in the back, a small ka-thunk-type sound, most noticeable when coming to a stop. Took the vehicle in to the dealer and was informed this is normal, something about cameras activating/deactivating (??). Is this a thing? New to me, it's very noticeable, and I find it pretty irritating in a car of this class. My 2023 GLE did not do this.
Next, I went to a car wash recently and tried to activate car wash mode like I did on my 2023. Nowhere to be found, did this go completely away?
I thought the '26 would have some upgrades and improvements over the '23, so far I'm underwhelmed.
Normal for newer MBs and as designed, that is the calibration process of the backup camera: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...very-stop.html
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Old Jun 9, 2026 | 09:12 PM
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2026 GLE53
I find the easiest way to access wash mode is after logging in to your account touch the top of the screen which will open another menu with the car icon. Click the car icon and it is on the first page. Of course there might be an easier way, lol.
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Old Jun 10, 2026 | 07:53 AM
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Originally Posted by tttomttt
I find the easiest way to access wash mode is after logging in to your account touch the top of the screen which will open another menu with the car icon. Click the car icon and it is on the first page. Of course there might be an easier way, lol.
I haven't tried it yet but say hey Mercedes show car wash menu.
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Old Jun 10, 2026 | 08:58 AM
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When I put myself in wash mode, it involves undressing. Just exactly what does a GLE do to prepare itself for bath time?
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Old Jun 10, 2026 | 09:03 AM
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2026 GLE350
From the 2026 GLE manual:
The outside mirrors are folded in.
To prevent the windshield washer system from starting up automatically, the rain sensor is
deactivated.
The rear window wiper is deactivated.
The air conditioning system is set to air-recirculation mode.
Parking Assist PARKTRONIC is deactivated.
Vehicles with surround view camera: the front image is activated a􀍔er approx. eight seconds.
Vehicles with AIRMATIC: the vehicle is raised to the maximum possible chassis
level

Last edited by bancroftdg; Jun 10, 2026 at 09:12 AM.
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Old Jun 10, 2026 | 09:11 AM
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Yes, as I said, the '23 GLE had a setting to activate car wash mode; I found it very helpful. Looks like it was deleted in the '26 model.
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Old Jun 10, 2026 | 09:44 AM
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Thanks -- I see how this would be useful in a drive-thru car wash where you leave the car running in neutral.
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Old Jun 10, 2026 | 09:51 AM
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Set a Routine to automatically activate car wash mode under preset conditons: https://www.mercedes-benz.ca/en/owne...on-on-routines
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Old Jun 10, 2026 | 12:16 PM
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2026 GLE350
Originally Posted by Geba
Yes, as I said, the '23 GLE had a setting to activate car wash mode; I found it very helpful. Looks like it was deleted in the '26 model.
My 2026 GLE350 has car wash mode. The salesman showed me how to get to it but I have since forgot. a quick search of the manual says go to Home, Settings, Quick Access.
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Old Jun 10, 2026 | 02:55 PM
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2024 GLE 450, 2009 SLK 300
On my 2024 GLE450, I just hit the quick access button on the center console (the one above the star button with the car on it). The choices that appear on the screen include car wash mode.
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Old Jun 10, 2026 | 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted by BlueYonder
On my 2024 GLE450, I just hit the quick access button on the center console (the one above the star button with the car on it). The choices that appear on the screen include car wash mode.
Can't believe I missed the obvious 🥴 thanks for that.
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Old Jun 10, 2026 | 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by BlueYonder
On my 2024 GLE450, I just hit the quick access button on the center console (the one above the star button with the car on it). The choices that appear on the screen include car wash mode.
Same with my 2026 GLE450.
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