SL-Class (R231) 2013 on: Discussion on the SL550

SL/R231: Weird trunk markings -- antennas or aliens?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 01-11-2019, 11:44 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
seascape's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 62
Received 16 Likes on 10 Posts
Weird trunk markings -- antennas or aliens?

For two consecutive nights, I noticed some weird symmetric markings on the top of my 2017 SL450 trunk. Does anyone know what caused them?


Left side of trunk


Right side of trunk

Background, each night, I had driven the car for about an hour, and when I returned 3-4 hrs later between 6p and 7p, there was some condensation on the car due to the cold (mid-50s F) and some light rain. I hadn't used the heater / ac / rear window defroster / etc. The lines aren't shadows, no one had touched the car (I was at a friend's house which is well gated and no one else was on the property), I've never had a trunk rack, and the lines aren't' visible in the daytime. They almost match parts of the pad underneath the trunk lid, but nothing was on to generate any heat.

The only thing I could think of is that maybe it's the antenna array for the satellite radio (I had been listening to SiriusXM while driving), mbrace, KEYLESS-GO, etc. Any ideas?
Old 01-12-2019, 08:11 AM
  #2  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Utopia Texas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
Posts: 2,336
Received 927 Likes on 606 Posts
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
Those are the braces on the inside of the trunk. Because they heat and cool at different rates than the outer thinner metal skin humidity from the air condensates less there and the pattern is formed.
The following users liked this post:
seascape (01-12-2019)
Old 01-12-2019, 08:33 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
fun33's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 328
Received 71 Likes on 56 Posts
2017 550SL - 2018 560S
Had the same thing in Florida 2 nights ago. I was also wondering what caused it.
Old 01-12-2019, 09:05 AM
  #4  
Junior Member
 
RocketBoots's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Chester County, PA
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 9 Posts
2018 SL550
Originally Posted by Utopia Texas
Those are the braces on the inside of the trunk. Because they heat and cool at different rates than the outer thinner metal skin humidity from the air condensates less there and the pattern is formed.
Or is it the Mercedes version of crop circles? Cue Twilight Zone music......
Old 01-12-2019, 10:41 AM
  #5  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
seascape's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 62
Received 16 Likes on 10 Posts
Thanks Utopia Texas, that makes sense. Although I was hoping it was landing strips for little aliens' UFOs!
Old 01-12-2019, 09:56 PM
  #6  
Super Moderator

 
Wolfman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Land of 10,000 lakes
Posts: 10,115
Received 3,323 Likes on 2,057 Posts
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Originally Posted by Utopia Texas
Those are the braces on the inside of the trunk. Because they heat and cool at different rates than the outer thinner metal skin humidity from the air condensates less there and the pattern is formed.

The physics are correct but the trunk is not actually made out of metal It's a composite material on the non-AMG (aka high-end plastic) and Carbon Fibre on the AMG's.
This is also why MB was able to embed the antennas into the trunk without having to have the ugly puck on top for Satellite, GPS and Cellular like earlier models...

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: SL/R231: Weird trunk markings -- antennas or aliens?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:39 AM.