Keyless entry, Kick under bumper, Mercedes refuse to inform me how to operate my car safely.

[Bellow]

There are just too many edge scenarios where things could go wrong .

Aye, you'd keep your pet crocodile chained up while loading the boot. Not because the croc could bite you - but the car will if croccy moseys under the bumper.

 

[Dryce]

Aye, you'd keep your pet crocodile chained up while loading the boot. Not because the croc could bite you - but the car will if croccy moseys under the bumper.

Well poor croc has to be careful too - if it decided to chase a cat or dog that went under the bumper it might get itself in a bit of a squeeze as it tried to exit.

 

[Bellow]

It's a crock of something...
Sounds like the design was based on a Yorkshireman's wallet.

 

[GeeJayW]

It's a crock of something...
Sounds like the design was based on a Yorkshireman's wallet.

... or Arkwright's till.

 

[st13phil]

Well poor croc has to be careful too - if it decided to chase a cat or dog that went under the bumper it might get itself in a bit of a squeeze as it tried to exit.

I was loading something in the boot of my car on the drive one morning and there was a "bong" and the bootlid started to close. I was somewhat puzzled as to why, but then saw next door's cat amble out from under the car...

 

[whitenemesis]

I was loading something in the boot of my car on the drive one morning and there was a "bong" and the bootlid started to close. I was somewhat puzzled as to why, but then saw next door's cat amble out from under the car...

You survived without loosing a limb?
How about the cat?

 

[markjay]

You survived without loosing a limb?
How about the cat?

His name was Yorick.

 

[st13phil]

You survived without loosing a limb?
How about the cat?

Pleased to report that we both survived, unscathed

 

[c63chris]

Thats the whole basis of my complaint with them really, that when loading the car alone you would have to leave the key on the floor somewhere for it not to activate.

Am I missing something here as with mine I just make sure I don’t put my feet under the bumper. Loading and unloading should be fine so long you don’t put your feet right under the bumper?

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Am I missing something here as with mine I just make sure I don’t put my feet under the bumper. Loading and unloading should be fine so long you don’t put your feet right under the bumper?

Didn't MB refuse to inform you how to use your car safely then?

 

[c63chris]

Didn't MB refuse to inform you how to use your car safely then?

LOL I didn’t ask but after the first time it tried closing on me thought I’d better not wave my feet about under the car again!

 

[Will]

Faraday pouch for your keyfob, if you can’t disable it somehow?

Let’s face it, there’s an element of risk operating the majority of features in cars. As mentioned electric windows are one that most can relate to - especially with that one-touch close.

The tailgate on my 2011 E63 estate stops closing and starts to re-open if it thinks it’s caught on something. I’ve not got the foot activation thing on mine, but use the powered close and open function and am always mindful of the surroundings (especially with young kids/buggies about etc)

It does sound like a bit of an oversight, I agree. But maybe re-check it doesn’t stop closing on an obstruction (eg use a cushion this time) - I’d be surprised if it didn’t. Obviously can catch you unaware but I doubt it’s likely to cause a serious injury.

Maybe a tweak in the sensitivity by MB would resolve this, or a rethink in the design (eg fitting ‘parking sensors’ to the edge of the tailgate to check for proximity to obstructions?) - but you can bet that would then cause false alerts causing the tailgate to not reliably close when you want it to. Where do you stop? Can’t win either way!

 

[Istbclass]

Can’t speak for Mercs but BMW electric boots are very sensitive when closing and will stop at the slightest obstruction. When demonstrating this to customers I show how sensitive it is when closing, however it takes a lot more to stop it opening as the motors are overcoming the weight of the tailgate.

 

[whitenemesis]

So, does the panel believe the OP has a case against MB?
Or is this a just 'operator error'?

 

[Istbclass]

Depends if it can be shown to be a design fault in which case merc cannot disclaim away the claim by putting a warning in the handbook. Most people would stand close to the bumper when putting stuff in the boot and their foot would go under the bumper so it would seem a design fault if using it in a normal way causes the boot to unexpectedly close and hit your head.

 

[Deleted member 126251]

Mountains and molehills spring to mind

 

[Rory]

I always understood on these systems that to open it, you had to kick/swipe then step away from the car so the parking sensors know you're not it the way.

Is this correct, and if so, is closing not the same?

 

[Ted]

Don’t they also have an extendable boot floor to load up the boot?

 

[GeeJayW]

I always understood on these systems that to open it, you had to kick/swipe then step away from the car so the parking sensors know you're not it the way.

Is this correct, and if so, is closing not the same?

Yes you have to step away when opening. Not sure about closing, I'm not usually standing under the tailgate when I close it (by pushing the button rather than by waving a foot underneath the bumper) and have not yet triggered it to close accidentally.

I also have so far remembered the safety advice from my dealer to avoid wearing clown shoes when loading the boot space.

 

[snipez999]

I can confirm that sitting on the rear of an E63S (W213) with boot open whilst changing your golf shoes, key in pocket, does indeed result in a “what’s that gong noise? Ouch!” moment. [emoji1787][emoji22] I’ve never actually worked out how to open my boot by waving my foot around whilst perching heavy shopping. However I’ve twice now been tw4tted by the bootlid whilst changing shoes. Strange but true (and dumb).