Heavy rain disables Distronic and front radar
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From: Cary, NC
2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
Heavy rain disables Distronic and front radar
I was driving in heavy to moderate rain when I received an alert the Distronic functions were limited as well as the front camera. I had experienced this in my 2018 E63S, but only with snow/ice. As soon as the rain moderated, the functions resumed. I thought the MB would have remedied the issue with the facelift design, but apparently not effectively.
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2019 C63CS
How do you figure they would have done that? Rain drops are a bunch of moving objects in front of the car that get picked up by the sensor and if the rain is very heavy, there is so much echo from the rain drops that the sensor has no chance to see the car ahead through all the noise. Same for the camera. If you have so much water hitting the windshield that the camera is effectively blinded then there's nothing that can be done. Physics is physics. Besides, using cruise control in the rain is generally big no-no anyway as if the wheels lose traction (hydroplaning) cruise control will misread that and accelerate the car, because it's losing speed and make the problem much worse.
Last edited by superswiss; Feb 11, 2021 at 08:57 PM.
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2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
How do you figure they would have done that? Rain drops are a bunch of moving objects in front of the car that get picked up by the sensor and if the rain is very heavy, there is so much echo from the rain drops that the sensor has no chance to see the car ahead through all the noise. Same for the camera. If you have so much water hitting the windshield that the camera is effectively blinded then there's nothing that can be done. Physics is physics. Besides, using cruise control in the rain is generally big no-no anyway as if the wheels lose traction (hydroplaning) cruise control will misread that and accelerate the car, because it's losing speed and make the problem much worse.
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2019 C63CS
And I wasn't trying to imply that. More like they don't have much incentive to make DISTRONIC work in really heavy rain. The safety systems, though, will be impaired as well and that's why most companies that work on self-driving cars insist that a LIDAR sensor is a must, because it isn't affected as much by the weather as cameras and radar are. Tesla is the lone wolf, or at least Musk is, who thinks LIDAR is not required, but I have a feeling that he is biased because we have 300+ dry days here in California. He might change his tune after living somewhere that sees stronger weather events.
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18 E63s Wagon 15 GL63 (sold), 10 Turbo TT MT, A36 Bonanza, 20 JLU Rubicon
I've driven my car in some pretty extreme downpours and I have never had an issue like that... snow and crud on the camera will indeed cause issue but rarely.
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From: Miami, FL
2020 E63S Wagon, 2021 GLE450
I’ve had it happen once or twice in really heavy rain. As soon as the rain lightened up a bit, it went back to working fine. Wasn’t overly concerned about it when it got back to working.
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From: The Palmetto State
19 E63s, ‘24SQ8, wanting another gas guzzling V8
I've had it happen on all MBs I’ve had with the distronic for years and it is always in heavy rain (we don’t get much snow). I’ve even had it happen after it has stopped raining and the sensor is really dirty............except this current GLE, but MB hasn’t given me much time to drive it yet.
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From: Cary, NC
2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
I've determined that the issue is external RF interference and not the liquid precipitation. Today the system flashed a warning with only a light drizzle and then reset itself within 30 seconds when the rain got heavier. I live near RDU airport and the outer marker radar extends for miles. I'm going to have the system checked out when I do the 2000 mile differential service.
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From: Cary, NC
2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
I've determined that the issue is external RF interference and not the liquid precipitation. Today the system flashed a warning with only a light drizzle and then reset itself within 30 seconds when the rain got heavier. I live near RDU airport and the outer marker radar extends for miles. I'm going to have the system checked out when I do the 2000 mile differential service.
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From: Newtown Square PA
2021 GLE580, 2022 BMW X5, 2022 911GTS Incoming
I do the 2000 mile differential service.
Do they require this, I've seen a few comments that they don't. Just trying to understand as I am new to Mercedes, car should be here in a few weeks.
Do they require this, I've seen a few comments that they don't. Just trying to understand as I am new to Mercedes, car should be here in a few weeks.
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From: Colorado
2021 E63 S Sedan
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It's extremely annoying that the manual calls out the requirement for service, but the service dept says that it's not required! Even more confusing Is that the documentation that I received with my pre-paid maintenance contract clearly shows the 2000 mile service included. Even better, when I picked up my car, I was told that I didn't have the prepaid service on the car! It took another 30 minutes to get that fixed as well. It seems that a bunch of contracts never got applied to their respective vehicles. It was only 2 months since my car was delivered and you would think that MBUSA would have noticed their error. Disappointing to say the least. In the end, the dealer told me that they were eating the differential service charges.
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So, for two years the differential service has not been required, but that the current 2021 manuals state that it IS needed. What rules? The windshield sticker, the 2021 edition A manual, or the prepaid maintenance contract description of services to be performed? Really dull in total.
Last edited by HBerman; Apr 2, 2021 at 07:55 PM.
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So, for two years the differential service has not been required, but that the current 2021 manuals state that it IS needed. What rules? The windshield sticker, the 2021 edition A manual, or the prepaid maintenance contract description of services to be performed? Really dull in total.
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From: Clermont, FL
2024 S580
It's been clear to me for some time that this is simply a case of the US manuals not being properly updated to reflect the fact that the differential service is not required on our 2021 cars. My car didn't come with a windshield sticker referencing the requirement, the dealer's response to my specific query was that it wasn't required, and, consequently, I won't be doing it.
It's a straight binary proposition: required or not required. The answer is clear.
It's a straight binary proposition: required or not required. The answer is clear.
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From: Cary, NC
2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
It's been clear to me for some time that this is simply a case of the US manuals not being properly updated to reflect the fact that the differential service is not required on our 2021 cars. My car didn't come with a windshield sticker referencing the requirement, the dealer's response to my specific query was that it wasn't required, and, consequently, I won't be doing it.
It's a straight binary proposition: required or not required. The answer is clear.
It's a straight binary proposition: required or not required. The answer is clear.
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From: Clermont, FL
2024 S580
Sure. By all means, have the dealer make you whole on the prepaid maintenance, either by doing the service or crediting its value. Let’s just be clear for the benefit of future searchers that the service itself is no longer necessary.
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Agreed! BTW, I examined the drained fluid from the service. It sure didn't look as clear as the new replacement. Thanks for your response.
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2015 E400 Sedan
As long as manual says it is required in USA then it is...
What happens if he has differential issues @ 10,000 miles?
Warranty or not?
Go by manual else you could be liable if you have issues later and still in warranty.
Remember a DEALER is not MBUSA and they do not speak for MBUSA who pays the warranty.
Make em go by the book....
Better safe then sorry
What happens if he has differential issues @ 10,000 miles?
Warranty or not?
Go by manual else you could be liable if you have issues later and still in warranty.
Remember a DEALER is not MBUSA and they do not speak for MBUSA who pays the warranty.
Make em go by the book....
Better safe then sorry
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Cary, NC
2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
As long as manual says it is required in USA then it is...
What happens if he has differential issues @ 10,000 miles?
Warranty or not?
Go by manual else you could be liable if you have issues later and still in warranty.
Remember a DEALER is not MBUSA and they do not speak for MBUSA who pays the warranty.
Make em go by the book....
Better safe then sorry
What happens if he has differential issues @ 10,000 miles?
Warranty or not?
Go by manual else you could be liable if you have issues later and still in warranty.
Remember a DEALER is not MBUSA and they do not speak for MBUSA who pays the warranty.
Make em go by the book....
Better safe then sorry
"Notes on the locking differential: After a breaking-in period of 2000 miles (3000 km) the oil on the locking differential should be changed in a qualified specialist workshop. This oil change prolongs the service life of the locking differential."
Last edited by HBerman; Apr 4, 2021 at 04:11 PM.
