SL/R231: Parking Assist Sensor
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 50
Likes: 11
SL400
Parking Assist Sensor
Greetings,
I have run the front of my 2015 SL400 up on curbs once too often. The front side parking assist sensors are not aimed low and front enough to trigger a warning.
So, wondering if I could purchase one or two sensors, and mount them under the nose of the car such that they will detect curbs before I hit them.
If I buy direct replacement sensors, then could I simply wire the new sensors to the existing sensors, ie, parallel wired connect?
Has anyone done this? Also, if I wire into existing sensor circuit, then I would not have to run a wire to the head unit, like if I was adding a front camera.
If I can do this, then a new sensor from CarParts is only about $33.
All comments and advice will be appreciated. Thanks, Joe
I have run the front of my 2015 SL400 up on curbs once too often. The front side parking assist sensors are not aimed low and front enough to trigger a warning.
So, wondering if I could purchase one or two sensors, and mount them under the nose of the car such that they will detect curbs before I hit them.
If I buy direct replacement sensors, then could I simply wire the new sensors to the existing sensors, ie, parallel wired connect?
Has anyone done this? Also, if I wire into existing sensor circuit, then I would not have to run a wire to the head unit, like if I was adding a front camera.
If I can do this, then a new sensor from CarParts is only about $33.
All comments and advice will be appreciated. Thanks, Joe
Last edited by docjoe; Jun 12, 2024 at 03:11 PM. Reason: typo
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,496
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
I would not start messing with the sensors. Running them in parallel is going to probably trip some error codes since the impedance will be half of what it should be. That may cause other stuff not to work.
There is a method to align and calibrate the sensors, but I have never done it. My recommendation is to reach out to @BenzNinja to see what is involved.
There is a method to align and calibrate the sensors, but I have never done it. My recommendation is to reach out to @BenzNinja to see what is involved.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 738
From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2014 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
Have you had paintwork done? (or know if any was been done by previous owners?)
MB has had issues with painting of those sensors, and have gone so far as to release a guideline for proper paint thickness. Variations in paint can cause the sensors to come out of "tune"
https://rts.i-car.com/crn-1875.html'
There is no adjustable alignment via XENTRY on those sensors, only proper placement in bumper and paint variation specifications.
Also make sure they are properly set in the bumper!
See attached WIS docs...
Good Luck!
MB has had issues with painting of those sensors, and have gone so far as to release a guideline for proper paint thickness. Variations in paint can cause the sensors to come out of "tune"
https://rts.i-car.com/crn-1875.html'
There is no adjustable alignment via XENTRY on those sensors, only proper placement in bumper and paint variation specifications.
Also make sure they are properly set in the bumper!
See attached WIS docs...
Good Luck!
Last edited by crconsulting; Jun 13, 2024 at 12:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 50
Likes: 11
SL400
I looked under the front today and there are indeed six sensors, but none on the nose or under the nose to detect parking curbs. All six seemed correctly placed and there has been no re-painting of the car, yet. Maybe I will just move two of the existing sensors to the lower nose.
Thank you for the comments and links. Very helpful!
BTW, impedance (Z) is a term used to describe opposition to current flow in AC circuitry; in DC circuitry, the term is resistance (R). Both are typically measures in units of Ohms (Ω).
Thank you for the comments and links. Very helpful!
BTW, impedance (Z) is a term used to describe opposition to current flow in AC circuitry; in DC circuitry, the term is resistance (R). Both are typically measures in units of Ohms (Ω).
