A class rear view camera constantly opening at slow speed

[DonaldS]

I think the parking system is a red herring, on both of mine, the camera does not come out when parking and no guidance lines are shown on the screen. Only the sensors on front and rear bumpers are used to park.

I agree - I don’t think the camera calibration issue has anything to do with the parking assist system.

 

[Mezmer64]

My car doesn't have a parking camera, but it displays a parking symbol below 30mph. I read that below 30 (or maybe its 25) the car is in parking mode, which for me just means the sensors are enabled. Maybe yours is similar, where the parking threshold speed triggers all your parking assists.

I'm sure someone handy with a computer could edit the behaviour for you, or there's bound to be an electronic solution to send that signal when youbwant and not when the car wants.

 

[DonaldS]

I put a question about the camera issue to a very knowledgeable guy who puts out lots of Mercedes related videos and he came back with an interesting answer - see attached screen grab. If this is correct it looks like Mercedes have a logic behind the change and it is probably going to be impossible to get them to change it. If Mercedes have apparently decided to programme the camera to open up when you slow down, in anticipation of you perhaps selecting reverse, why then does it only do it a few times then stop doing it? This explanation does not tie in with Mercedes telling me it is going through a calibration process. I wonder if anyone looking at this thread has the previous version of the A class and if they have found a problem with the camera taking an annoying amount of time to show an image when reverse is selected. Must check out my C class tomorrow to compare.

 

[rf065]

I put a question about the camera issue to a very knowledgeable guy who puts out lots of Mercedes related videos and he came back with an interesting answer - see attached screen grab. If this is correct it looks like Mercedes have a logic behind the change and it is probably going to be impossible to get them to change it. I wonder if anyone looking at this thread has the previous version of the A class and if they have found a problem with the camera taking an annoying amount of time to show an image when reverse is selected. Must check out my C class tomorrow to compare.

That makes no sense to me, is he knowledgeable or waffling? For one thing, the camera does not come out before you select reverse, it comes out after selecting reverse.

 

[DonaldS]

That makes no sense to me, is he knowledgeable or waffling? For one thing, the camera does not come out before you select reverse, it comes out after selecting reverse.

No, the camera opens up whilst you are driving along when the speed drops below 15mph then closes again when the speed gets back up to 20mph. It does this about four times each time you start up the car then it stops doing it. Also, when I start up the car first thing in the morning the camera opens up even if I select the forward gear, not reverse although there will not be an image on the screen. He is saying that the camera is programmed to open up in anticipation of you selecting reverse so that, if you do, the camera is already open so there is no delay in getting an image on the screen. I kind of get it but why, if this is the case, does it only do it four times then stop and how does this relate to the reply from Mercedes that the camera now goes through a calibration process with multiple opening and closing each time you start up the car. It’s all very confusing.

 

[rf065]

No, the camera opens up whilst you are driving along when the speed drops below 15mph then closes again when the speed gets back up to 20mph. It does this about four times each time you start up the car then it stops doing it. Also, when I start up the car first thing in the morning the camera opens up even if I select the forward gear, not reverse although there will not be an image on the screen. He is saying that the camera is programmed to open up in anticipation of you selecting reverse so that, if you do, the camera is already open so there is no delay in getting an image on the screen. I kind of get it but why, if this is the case, does it only do it four times then stop and how does this relate to the reply from Mercedes that the camera now goes through a calibration process with multiple opening and closing each time you start up the car. It’s all very confusing.

The only time mine has done anything like that was when it was in the calibration process, it does not do it normally. As for the car anticipating you selecting reverse, I say that's not true either. When my camera opened up selecting first gear it was to initiate the calibration process, it was not anticipating you selecting reverse. You are correct that it only calibrates up to approx 15mph then closes again. What you are describing with yours is the calibration process not completing and is stuck in a loop like mine was, but somehow, it decided one day to complete the process and has not done it since.

 

[DonaldS]

The only time mine has done anything like that was when it was in the calibration process, it does not do it normally. As for the car anticipating you selecting reverse, I say that's not true either. When my camera opened up selecting first gear it was to initiate the calibration process, it was not anticipating you selecting reverse. You are correct that it only calibrates up to approx 15mph then closes again. What you are describing with yours is the calibration process not completing and is stuck in a loop like mine was, but somehow, it decided one day to complete the process and has not done it since.

Are you talking about the new A class that you own or another Mercedes car? I know that other Mercedes cars will sometimes go through this calibration process and that there is a procedure you can go through to get it done - by driving slowly for a few hundred yards. This is different as Mercedes have told me in writing that the new A class has been programmed to go through a calibration sequence every single time the car is started up. It is NOT trying to go though an occasional calibration process, failing to complete it and getting stuck in a calibration loop.

 

[George13]

I recently posted that I would draft a letter to the car mags to try to raise some profile for this issue. I attach a draft for any comments. As an aside and in response to some recent posts, my C class will happily open and shut the camera all day. In other words it does not do it a few times and then stop.

A number of disgruntled Mercedes owners have been sharing stories on the MB Owners Club site. The reason for our annoyance is the operation of the rear camera. Our shared experience is the camera opening every time the car slows to less than 15mph and closing again above 20mph. And this is not a quiet operation. Indeed it is akin to the noise of the central locking function. It should not be underestimated how irritating it is to drive through town with the camera clacking open and shut everytime one slows down or speeds up. Mercedes have shown complete disinterest in our complaints explaining that it is not a fault but a design feature. Apparently the camera is trying to calibrate and there is no way to switch this off. This is a very poor show from a prestigious brand and we believe that MB should introduce a software modification to correct this bizarre function.

 

[DonaldS]

I recently posted that I would draft a letter to the car mags to try to raise some profile for this issue. I attach a draft for any comments. As an aside and in response to some recent posts, my C class will happily open and shut the camera all day. In other words it does not do it a few times and then stop.

A number of disgruntled Mercedes owners have been sharing stories on the MB Owners Club site. The reason for our annoyance is the operation of the rear camera. Our shared experience is the camera opening every time the car slows to less than 15mph and closing again above 20mph. And this is not a quiet operation. Indeed it is akin to the noise of the central locking function. It should not be underestimated how irritating it is to drive through town with the camera clacking open and shut everytime one slows down or speeds up. Mercedes have shown complete disinterest in our complaints explaining that it is not a fault but a design feature. Apparently the camera is trying to calibrate and there is no way to switch this off. This is a very poor show from a prestigious brand and we believe that MB should introduce a software modification to correct this bizarre function.

Looks spot on to me - great job - go for it.

 

[DonaldS]

I forgot to say that I sent an email to the What Car help page setting out this issue with the camera but no reply so far - not holding my breath.

 

[DonaldS]

I recently posted that I would draft a letter to the car mags to try to raise some profile for this issue. I attach a draft for any comments. As an aside and in response to some recent posts, my C class will happily open and shut the camera all day. In other words it does not do it a few times and then stop.

A number of disgruntled Mercedes owners have been sharing stories on the MB Owners Club site. The reason for our annoyance is the operation of the rear camera. Our shared experience is the camera opening every time the car slows to less than 15mph and closing again above 20mph. And this is not a quiet operation. Indeed it is akin to the noise of the central locking function. It should not be underestimated how irritating it is to drive through town with the camera clacking open and shut everytime one slows down or speeds up. Mercedes have shown complete disinterest in our complaints explaining that it is not a fault but a design feature. Apparently the camera is trying to calibrate and there is no way to switch this off. This is a very poor show from a prestigious brand and we believe that MB should introduce a software modification to correct this bizarre function.

I wasn’t aware that the C class did this as well and I don’t think my 2021 C class does this - never heard it Have you tried going through the process to force the calibration to stop by driving below 15mph for a hundred metres or so until the camera pops back in? If I do this on my A class at the start of a trip the camera won’t open again until the next time I start up. I have heard that on other cars this process works.

 

[PinkMink]

I wasn’t aware that the C class did this as well and I don’t think my 2021 C class does this - never heard it Have you tried going through the process to force the calibration to stop by driving below 15mph for a hundred metres or so until the camera pops back in? If I do this on my A class at the start of a trip the camera won’t open again until the next time I start up. I have heard that on other cars this process works.

My C Class didn't do this. Neither did the previous years A Class that I took for a test drive before buying the clicky 2023 version.

The clicking sent me loopy the other day as I was driving around Oxford. Stop / start all the time, driving me mad!

 

[rf065]

My C Class didn't do this.

Mine does, 2016 model.

 

[DonaldS]

Mine does, 2016 model.

Does it bother you and have you complained to MB about it - if so what did they say about it?

 

[rf065]

Does it bother you and have you complained to MB about it - if so what did they say about it?

Garage could not find the fault, and after a few months it stopped doing it of it's own accord.

 

[PinkMink]

Does it bother you and have you complained to MB about it - if so what did they say about it?

I find it extremely frustrating and is ruining the experience of driving the car. I took it back to Mercedes for review. Same response as mentioned elsewhere, that it’s not an error but the car is supposed to do this. I’m trying to find a way to formally raise this as an issue, but haven’t had a response after 3 attempts to get contact details.

 

[DonaldS]

Garage could not find the fault, and after a few months it stopped doing it of it's own accord.

I think this is a different issue as all cars with reversing cameras can sometimes undertake a calibration exercise at random but this should clear itself fairly quickly although I have heard some people say this can take ages. There is a way to try and clear it by driving slowly in a straight line when the camera has opened until the camera closes. On the new A class it has apparently been designed to go through a camera calibration sequence every time the car is started and there is no way to stop it doing this.

 

[DonaldS]

I find it extremely frustrating and is ruining the experience of driving the car. I took it back to Mercedes for review. Same response as mentioned elsewhere, that it’s not an error but the car is supposed to do this. I’m trying to find a way to formally raise this as an issue, but haven’t had a response after 3 attempts to get contact details.

My comment was actually against the post by rf065 and his C class not your A class. Sorry for the confusion. If you go on the MB webpage you should be able to find the process to raise a complaint against MB. I have done this but was just told - there is no fault they all do that now so no action required. I have written to them again asking them to explain the reasoning for this change to the camera operation as it is noisy and annoying and I can see no logic in it.

 

[OctavianBucur]

Hi All,

I just took my car from the dealership 2 days ago, brand new car, and I was so upset when I found out about the camera calibration process. After one day of wondering what could be wrong with the car and that noise, finally realised that it was the camera cover opening and the camera popping out. Managed to calibrate it for a day , drove forward in a long parking lot for about 1 min at 17 mph, camera popped out and retracted and I was happy thinking that thats it. Next morning, first roundabout and the sound was back .
I will keep on trying to recalibrate it , read somewhere that the car needs around 5 mins of being in calib. process.That means that i will still have to go for a few times to that parking lot to do it.
But meanwhile, maybe MB will come with some kind of an update because this is my 3rd car with them, but could lead to a change in my buying behaviour and next time will choose another brand if this situation wont be fixed.

 

[DonaldS]

Hi All,

I just took my car from the dealership 2 days ago, brand new car, and I was so upset when I found out about the camera calibration process. After one day of wondering what could be wrong with the car and that noise, finally realised that it was the camera cover opening and the camera popping out. Managed to calibrate it for a day , drove forward in a long parking lot for about 1 min at 17 mph, camera popped out and retracted and I was happy thinking that thats it. Next morning, first roundabout and the sound was back .
I will keep on trying to recalibrate it , read somewhere that the car needs around 5 mins of being in calib. process.That means that i will still have to go for a few times to that parking lot to do it.
But meanwhile, maybe MB will come with some kind of an update because this is my 3rd car with them, but could lead to a change in my buying behaviour and next time will choose another brand if this situation wont be fixed.

The forced calibration process you are attempting will not work on the A class - I have tried. This process works on cars where the camera very occasionally starts the calibration process but, for some reason, won’t complete it. I have been advised by MB that the A class has been designed for the camera to go through a calibration process every single time the car is started and that there is nothing that can be done about it - it is not a fault. It might not be a fault as far as MB is concerned if, as they say, it has been designed this way but it most definitely is a fault as far as owners are concerned as it is unnecessarily noisy and annoying. I have been unable to get MB to advise why this calibration process is deemed necessary as they are not replying to me. They did reply simply to say it’s what they all do now and it’s not a fault but no further explanation forthcoming. Power show from MB.