What is the reason for the Mercedes radar beeping without obstacles?
2 Answers
Mercedes vehicles often encounter situations where there are no obstacles, but the radar keeps beeping. The following are the reasons why the Mercedes radar beeps without obstacles: 1. License plate issue: Especially for the front radar, since the front radar generally needs to detect a wide range, the ultrasonic waves of the radar are also fan-shaped. Once the license plate frame is too large or the license plate is bent or deformed, it may enter the detection range of the radar, causing false alarms. This problem usually occurs on new cars or cars with reinstalled license plates. 2. Dirty radar probe or something covering it: This is also quite common. For example, after washing the car or driving on muddy roads in rainy weather, mud or rainwater on the bumper may be detected by the radar or directly cover the radar probe. 3. Hardware issues related to the radar: Such as a dented probe, damaged or deformed probe mounting position, or a faulty probe itself. 4. Probe installation issue: On some modified vehicles, negligence during installation may cause the probe angle to face downward or be installed too low, leading to false alarms when encountering small bumps or uneven ground. 5. Obstacles on the side of the vehicle: It should be noted that the probe does not only emit ultrasonic waves forward/backward. If there are obstacles on the side of the vehicle and they are relatively close, they may also be detected.
I've been driving for over twenty years, and nothing annoys me more than the radar going off for no reason. In luxury cars like Mercedes-Benz, the radar systems are quite sensitive and easily triggered by minor objects. The cause could be dirty sensors—like mud splatters or insect remains stuck on them, sending misleading signals that trigger alarms. Water droplets left after rain are also common culprits, especially at high speeds when wind is strong. Software aging is another factor, as algorithms may malfunction after years of use. My advice is to wipe the sensors with a soft cloth after parking; they're usually located near the rear bumper or front grille. If the issue persists, take it to an authorized dealership for inspection and calibration—don't brush it off. Frequent false alarms drain the battery and might make you miss real hazards.
