That Parking Thing

[IanMSpencer]

In my C220CDi W204 it has the parking thing where you go past a space and it indicates it will be feasible.

What I don't get is whether my system is faulty or it is just a bit c r a p! Obviously, like most, I can park, but I had a vague idea it might be of use for A N Other driver of the car...

I drive past the space and it does the pointy indication, but then I reverse and it never says to take any action, so it does not indicate the ideal time to do left hand down. If I do left hand down it starts offering some help, but by then I am not convinced it knows what it is doing.

Anyone else had any success with the thing?

 

[Deleted member 55947]

There's a video on youtube from a dealer that shows how it works

 

[daveenty]

I also have that parking thing and have never used it, though have gleaned this bit of info from a (US) manual: -


1. Stop the vehicle when the parking space symbol shows the desired parking space in the instrument cluster.

2. Shift the transmission to position R. The multifunction display shows the "Check Vehicle Surroundings Press 'OK' to Confirm message".

3. Press the button on the multifunction steering wheel to confirm. The multifunction display switches to Parking Guidance. Depending on your distance from the parking space, the Please Drive Backward message will appear in the multifunction display.

4. If necessary, reverse towards the parking space. This is indicated by an arrow pointing backwards. Continue backing up until you hear a tone. Stop – the parking position has been reached. The arrow is white. The Please Steer Wheel to the Right or Please Steer Wheel to the Left message appears in the multifunction display.

5. While the vehicle is stationary, turn the steering wheel in the specified direction until the arrow is white and a warning tone sounds.

6. To reverse into the parking space: maintain the steering wheel angle and reverse carefully.

7. Stop as soon as you hear a warning tone, The vehicle has reached the position in which you need to countersteer. The Please Steer Wheel to the Left or Please Steer Wheel to the Right message appears in the multifunction display.

Countersteering: while the vehicle is stationary, turn the steering wheel in the specified direction until the arrow is white and a warning tone sounds.

To reverse into the parking space: Maintain the steering wheel angle and reverse carefully.

Stop as soon as you hear a warning tone, at the latest when PARKTRONIC sounds the continuous warning tone. The Parking Guidance Finished message appears in the multifunction display and a tone sounds. You may be asked to steer in a different direction and then change gear. In this case, further displays in the multifunction display will direct you to the final position.

Manoeuvre if necessary.

Always observe the warning messages displayed by PARKTRONIC



Blatantly copied and pasted, but the bit inblue in section 3 is the interesting thing here. It seems that if you just throw it into reverse then you're on your own, but if you OK it when the warning thing comes up then it will activate. Don't know if this will help you or not, but I'm going to have a play with mine later to see if I can get any joy with it.

 

[IanMSpencer]

Hmm, have to go and have another play - I did press a confirm button, as I was getting some instructions - I'll have to be more careful and observe what it is doing. More interested to find out if anyone else used the thing successfully to see whether to persist.

Trouble is, usually there is stuff going on while trying to use it.

 

[chrisdean]

I'll give this a try, I've noticed the blue "P" popping up now and then but never thought to press the "OK" button. I presume it's just for parallel parking and not reverse parking.

 

[Markjames]

I did try it once but didn't have confidence to follow completely, seemed to be getting to close to the kerb and I like my alloys looking nice and shiny.

 

[richard]

If you touch the steering wheel, it stops assisting you - its very very hard to persuade yourself not to touch the steering wheel !!

R