Car Owners Hub UK - Built by Drivers, for Drivers

I have searched the forum extensively for a separate thread regarding Automatic Park, also known as Automatic Transmission Park-Lock, Automatic Park-Lock, Park-lock, and Drive-Away Protection, but I was unable to locate any. Therefore, I have created this thread in the hopes that others may be interested in learning more about this safety feature and, perhaps, their Mercedes, as I was previously unaware of it.

Well, I suppose this essay won't be relevant to you if you're already familiar with Automatic Transmission Park-Lock.


Even though the post didn't mention it by name, it was in the thread "What Have You Done To Your Merc Today?" and I must express my gratitude to him for shedding light on this safety feature that Mercedes has implemented. Even though I've owned and driven these cars for more than 20 years, I was completely unaware of it.

Furthermore, I am fully cognisant of the fact that this feature may not appeal to everyone. In fact, some may even find it to be counterproductive in scenarios where, for instance, leaning out and/or looking back are necessary for performing moves like reversing a caravan, caravan or similar vehicle. Although I wouldn't say it happened while driving a Mercedes, I have witnessed such things happening on private property, so it's not entirely out of the ordinary.

Everyone has their own opinion, and as the old saying goes, "one man's meat is another man's poison." In my opinion, Automatic Park is a fantastic safety feature that Mercedes implemented as a last line of defence against the possibility of a roll-away. It activates when the driver does anything that could cause the car to creep, roll or lurch.

Then what exactly is this "Automatic Park" that I've been raving about? To put it briefly, it is...
When the door is opened while the car is still in Drive or Reverse and the driver is still sitting, Mercedes will automatically shift into Park.

From 2010 and later models, the majority of Mercedes vehicles have this feature:
* Controls for changing gears electronically (central toggle or column stalk)
* Self-parking electronic brake
a seat-occupied detector
The door-open safety interlock can be used.

If your Mercedes is equipped with Park-Lock, you may tell by looking at the following:

* It has park-lock, yes. You can access it using the electronic gear selector on the steering column.
* It has Park-Lock, yes, thanks to a little electrical toggle that reads "Electric."
A large physical lever for turning power on and off—mechanical—NO, it does not
* A stick shift—no park—no, it doesn't

In order to see how completely incorrect you are, I suggest you read my post and maybe even watch the video. Oh, I see... It seems like you're against my attempts to produce useful postings in some way 

I agree with you. I thought you were posting about active park assistance.

Considering the vast majority of your previous discussions, which have dealt with topics that have been raised many times before.


Well, how about a whole video dedicated to that particular feature?


I removed my message so as not to further derail your thread.

While I'm still learning a lot about a marque I've owned for decades, I've only been a member for a little over a year. I figure there must be other people who feel the same way, so I focus on helping newer members rather than the long-time members who I assume know everything and don't care about my old, boring posts. I'm also not trying to pick on these forum gurus, because they definitely don't need my help.

As I've said before, this is an international forum for Mercedes owners and enthusiasts. If I can share some helpful tips, advice, thoughts, and the odd funny clip, cartoon image, or bit of humour, then that's my intention. I've also said before that those wise folks should just ignore my threads.


The feature is explained in my short film; after all, a picture is worth a thousand words, and it's likely simpler to digest than text alone; so, I believe it's worthwhile to create a full-length video about the issue, even though it's just two minutes and four seconds long.

Much obliged.

An individual thread is helpful, and I agree that all owners are different.


Since 2004, I've been the proud owner of a Mercedes.
The automatic gearbox was a major selling point for me when I purchased my first Mercedes.
I initially owned a 2005 MB with a 53 plate and then a 2008 07 vehicle.
along with two W203 models. I almost lost everything because these vehicles lacked this safety function.



On more than one occasion while I was the proud owner of these vehicles, I would exit the vehicle to double-check that it was still inside the designated parking space after having forgotten to shift out of D mode. On two occasions, this occurred while on the clock following difficult visits to difficult customers. Luckily, I could see the car creep and dash in since the parking lot was flat.



Sure enough, I purchased my very first brand-new Mercedes-Benz GLE in 2016. I discovered the 'park/drive safety function' a few months into owning this car (I also had the C-Class at the time, so the GLE wasn't driven daily; I was still getting used to the size of the GLE for some of London's narrow side streets) when I parked on our driveway and opened the door to see if the car was totally straight. Although I was surprised at first, I soon understood what it was.



This is a fantastic addition; I'm not aware of any other brands that provide it; if any do, I bet many people will only realise it when they want to disengage the gears. Yet, I seem to remember someone mentioning on the other post that it can be a "pain."
Additionally, there are instances where the car enters safety mode just as you open the door to take a quick glance at anything.
Someone else mentioned being able to disable this safety feature on the same topic, but I'm not seeing it happening. Truly, it is.
on top of the security measures already installed on my MB,

Searching YouTube for how-to videos on features like this usually leads me to the "Mercedes-Benz USA" channel, where "Jim from Mercedes-Benz" explains the functions in question. To be honest, he's rather competent.


They claim that even a little bit helps, and there are plenty of videos like this on YouTube. I can only imagine how much work goes into making and editing these videos.

Oh, I was wondering how you stumbled onto this feature 𠑍

Going in a lighter tone, I have a story from long ago about my sister and her beat-up two-door Triumph Herald. Before she bought it, she had it painted a mauvey/purple colour, and the RAC knew her by name. I think that says it all 🫎 According to the story, Teresa was in the front passenger seat while I was in the back. We were driving downhill towards a round-about when suddenly, the heavy passenger door swung open. Teresa was about to take a dive as we exited at the first junction, even though our original plan was to do so at the third. My sister, however, continued to sail around the roundabout. Poor Teresa practically turned grey on the spot—god, I love her—after that terrifying moment, which occurred during an era when seat belts weren't mandatory.

I, too, have a few go-to YouTube channels that I consult when I need advice on a certain topic (like detailing, for example), but I also like to do a broad search, compile all the relevant information, and then decide what's best for me. It might be frustrating to receive recommendations for left-hand drive motors or products that are exclusive to the UK, and it can be challenging to find clips from that country.

I appreciate your kind words, and I couldn't agree with you more.
Making these videos is something I enjoy doing, but it can drive me crazy and take me days—if not weeks—to finish. It can take me an eternity to settle on a typeface, determine where to put an image with text, choose the perfect background colour, etc. I have gone so far as to remove a video from YouTube, do more edits, and then re-post it. Being a complete novice makes the process of trial and error all the more frustrating, but I do like to think I always do my best. Maybe I'm just too picky, but I really do want to do it perfect.

It really had to have been after 2010. The E 212 I own does not have it, and I can shift into park while the door is open. Yes, it features a park-lock feature—an electronic gear selector on the steering column.* A little electronic switch --> Electronic --> Yes, it features a Park-Lock feature.Both of these are yes in my book.Automatic parking brakeNo way! I'll get around to installing an electrical brake on mine; for now, it's a foot-operated hand brake.

The engine that is installed may cause it to differ.