GLA 200 Reverse Camera calibration every time you start

[rf065]

Has anyone tried recalibrating the camera by themselves using a diagnostic tool?

Tackling a 360-camera system issue on a 2018 Mercedes

I recently had a call on a 2018 Mercedes GLE 350 that was involved in a front-end collision. The grille was damaged, along with the front camera housed below the emblem.

www.fenderbender.com

 

[fourwheels]

@Hollington I think my wife needs to talk to yours If i’d been manufacturing this in my manufacturing days I think I would have tried mounting it on rubber bushes, perhaps grommets. I don’t know how it’s mounted and you need to think of the warranty.
@rf065 interesting article but the problem is not a one off calibration, it’s because it constantly tries.
Thinking tonight about Mercedes logic. If you hit somebody while reversing because they didn’t show on camera mercedes might be sued.
Likewise if you put two adults in the back and then throw a suitcase in the boot the car will drop an inch or two, and the camera will be out of line. But calibration only works if it actually calibrates under those circumstances and experience shows it will try but probably fail due to driving conditions.

 

[DonaldS]

One point that I haven’t seen mentioned by anyone else, and MB just ignore it when I mention it to them, is that the camera is unable to calibrate itself at all in the dark. How can it be the case that the camera has been programmed to try and calibrate itself every time the car is started but this is impossible when it is dark - surely this is a very flawed design.

 

[Hollington]

One point that I haven’t seen mentioned by anyone else, and MB just ignore it when I mention it to them, is that the camera is unable to calibrate itself at all in the dark. How can it be the case that the camera has been programmed to try and calibrate itself every time the car is started but this is impossible when it is dark - surely this is a very flawed design.

Good point, which I will highlight when my car goes to Brooklands Mercedes at 8am on Monday.

 

[fourwheels]

So what does it do in the dark. Just clatter around all the time?

Anyway I’ve solved it. Aim for a traffic jam, slow moving less than 10mph for 5 minutes or so in a straight line.
Calibrates fine unless the car behind is up your bumper,

Just need to reorganise all trips to include heavy local traffic. That’s Friday sorted

 

[Hollington]

Took my car to Brooklands Mercedes at 7.45 this morning. It was in the workshops for no more than 30 minutes and the outcome was exactly as expected.

The invoice (no charge of course) states Investigation-noisy deployment of reversing camera-Noise level for reversing camera is normal.
The calibration process of opening and closing is set by Mercedes and we cannot change it.

Also in the short health check video, sent to me by Email, The technician said he agreed with all the points I made in the note I left with the car, but that's how it comes from M/B. If M/B decide to update the software in due course we'll let you know, but we don't expect that to happen. Thanks for watching!!

So I'm afraid that is it, we either Love it or List it. On this occasion England 0 Germany 1 .

 

[markjay]

..
.So I'm afraid that is it, we either Love it or List it. On this occasion England 0 Germany 1 .

Looks to me more like Germany just scored an own goal....

 

[fourwheels]

Thanks for the update. Not unexpected though.

I honestly don’t know what to think about this any longer.

Everybody agrees it’s noisy, everybody agrees it’s an impossible calibration procedure.

Everybody that is except Mercedes.

I think we are banging our heads against a wall.

On the whole we like the car and it meets our current needs but we certainly wouldn’t have spent £40k+ had we noticed this clattering during the demo.

Badly designed and badly thought out.

But why?

It’s been suggested this might have something to do with Mercedes take on EU vehicle legislation introduced in September?

I’ve noticed on mine that you can’t permanently turn off the traffic sign recognition beep, only mute it.
It will always come back on, despite what the book says.

The book is also stuffed full of safety advice.

 

[Hollington]

On starting my car I have got into the habit of switching off the stop/start and the traffic sign beep, so I don't find that a problem.
As far as the reversing camera saga is concerned, I suppose the next step would be the motoring press and national newspapers, but much as hate to admit it I really feel I can't be bothered. Perhaps some younger owners would be prepared to take up the cudgels.

 

[fourwheels]

Actually I’m in a similar position to you. My wife is ready to fight but I’m a little tired of it. Unfortunately I sold the previous car because of an annoying whistle noise that started after some repair work and it was time to move on anyway.
Traded one noise for another, although this one is a Designer noise.

 

[markjay]

As far as the reversing camera saga is concerned, I suppose the next step would be the motoring press and national newspapers, but much as hate to admit it I really feel I can't be bothered. Perhaps some younger owners would be prepared to take up the cudgels.

The Daily Mail typically fights the war of the proletariat.... 2024 Mercedes-Benz drivers (even if it's 'only' an A-Class) are all rich toffs to them... they'll mention the cost of your car when new (and the value of your house..), and the readers comments won't be sympathetic........

 

[John N]

The Daily Mail typically fights the war of the proletariat.... 2024 Mercedes-Benz drivers (even if it's 'only' an A-Class) are all rich toffs to them... they'll mention the cost of your car when new (and the value of your house..), and the readers comments won't be sympathetic........

That may go in favour of those complaining and the Publicity against MB Supplying mega buck vehicles with dodgy Accessories will help the cause!

It's not the DM Readers Comments that the OP wants, it's the Named and Shamed MB to get get their Finger Out!

 

[fourwheels]

Trip to the dentist about 4 miles, then B&Q 3m, and back home 4m.
How many times did that thing clang in the background, well constantly, I lost count and it finally shut down when I drove into my drive.
So at that rate how long will it last?

Motor magazines would be better than DM as they usually add technical interest/objection.

I’ve just received yet another Data Protection Policy update from Mercedes (no-reply email of course).
Three files to download if I cared.

But as I’ve said before I do wonder if the reverse calibration and these policy updates are all part of an ‘over the top’ and too active Mercedes Risk dept

 

[Hollington]

Yes, I got that Email about the data protection thingy today, I thought blimey they're not trying to warn me off after my visit to Brooklands.
Talking of Brooklands, until recent times it was owned by M/B but is now Hedin Automotive, Epsom Mercedes was the same but now part of the Sandown Group.
Pity really, might have had a bit more luck if it was still owned directly by them.

I'm surprised we haven't had more response from disgruntled owners on this forum, M/B must have sold a fair few of these faulty vehicles and you would think people would be doing plenty of Google searches and landed on here.

 

[fourwheels]

I think all Mercedes garages were regrouped into franchises. Sandown where you are, Marshall’s down here. I can’t remember them all but some are quite big groups.
I know what you mean about disgruntled owners. For all we know they do complain and get the stock answer, not everybody looks for a forum.

 

[markjay]

I think all Mercedes garages were regrouped into franchises. Sandown where you are, Marshall’s down here. I can’t remember them all but some are quite big groups.
I know what you mean about disgruntled owners. For all we know they do complain and get the stock answer, not everybody looks for a forum.

Mercedes-Benz dealerships in the UK have been bought and sold over the past 30 years at an alarming rate. Often it was MB themselves who were buying the dealership then selling it again. Quite bizarre.

 

[DonaldS]

So what does it do in the dark. Just clatter around all the time?

Anyway I’ve solved it. Aim for a traffic jam, slow moving less than 10mph for 5 minutes or so in a straight line.
Calibrates fine unless the car behind is up your bumper,

Just need to reorganise all trips to include heavy local traffic. That’s Friday sorted

In my A class I can force the camera to calibrate by driving slowly for about 100m but I don’t do this as it’s too impractical. The camera will usually do about four open and close operations then will stop as it must have calibrated. However, when it is dark the camera will never calibrate and opens and closes every time you slow down for as long as you re driving. I also believe that this applies when it is raining heavily. I am still mightily pissed off with this camera calibration malarkey but it is clear that MB are not going to do anything about this so I am trying to do my best to ignore it. Luckily I very rarely drive in the dark so that is a small blessing. I would not buy another new MB car if it did this - deal breaker. Maybe next time I will buy the cheapest car I can find that has very few, if any, electronic gubbins in it if that is even possible nowadays - maybe a base spec Dacia for instance without even a radio.

 

[fourwheels]

Does anybody know if the electric EQA has this problem?
The reason I ask is that it could be argued it’s a much newer model than the GLA and maybe MB haven’t opted for the same procedure.

 

[Hollington]

Does anybody know if the electric EQA has this problem?
The reason I ask is that it could be argued it’s a much newer model than the GLA and maybe MB haven’t opted for the same procedure.

Sorry, I don't have any knowledge about electric cars nor do I have any desire to buy one. Whenever I stop at Motorway service stations I always feel quite sorry for these poor buggers standing there for god knows how long charging their cars while I have filled up in 2 minutes and gone.

 

[markjay]

Sorry, I don't have any knowledge about electric cars nor do I have any desire to buy one. Whenever I stop at Motorway service stations I always feel quite sorry for these poor buggers standing there for god knows how long charging their cars while I have filled up in 2 minutes and gone.