When I got into the R on Friday, the gas pedal was misbehaving. Its usual spongy, long travel was gone; feeling as if it was already half pressed. The most mundane, mild acceleration had the pedal to the floor. If I actually wanted to wring something out of the V8, I had to push the pedal hard against the floor. Not good. This problem was gone by the time I got into the R500 Friday evening and it didn't return...
But since I was driving a V8-powered, six-seat quasi-minivan thing that averages 14 mpg on a good day this weekend, I felt compelled to utilize at least some of the R500's girth...so I bought a vacuum. Actually I bought the vacuum because my floors were dirty, but the R-Class provided a good excuse for finally buying the thing. The R also provided enough space for a full load of laundry. Yes, these loads could have been satisfied by our Honda Fit, but I had to haul something to justify this absurd beast of a vehicle with only two people aboard. On a day trip to Moorpark, Calif., from Los Angeles, I averaged a little more than 18 mpg, with mixed city driving getting a shade under 14. That just stinks. So does backing the R-Class up. The rear headrests are enormous and completely block the rearmost side window, conspiring with the huge D pillars and small side mirrors to create a perilous parking experience. Sure, it has those little backup light indicators, but in parking lots, I wasn't confident they'd warn me if some kid or a Miata suddenly darted out behind me. This thing needs a backup camera...among other things, like an aux jack not located four feet from the driver.
James Riswick, Associate Editor @ 25,274 miles
alpha01 says:
12:48 PM, 05/29/07
Wouldn't one consider the gas pedal thing something of a safety issue? I have a big problem with safety-related items vs. something having to do with a minor annoyance, like the stupidly positioned aux jack (are they serious with that?)
too bad.
~alpha
mercedesfan says:
04:22 PM, 05/29/07
The accelerator problem is bizarre and should definitely be looked into. As for the normal spongy, long travel that is just characteristic Mercedes-Benz. Get over it, once underway there are few cars on the road that are quicker than Mercedes.
alpha01- I agree completely with you that it is a serious problem, but I don't see how going too slow is a safety issue versus if the pedal was stuck down such that it was constantly accelerating? It seems more like a needless mechanical repair that is just stupidly irritating.
alpha01 says:
06:40 PM, 05/29/07
I think we're on the same page here.... but... going too slow not being a safety issue? Do you somehow avoid treacherous merges? If so, might I invite you to the school of the Schuylkill Expressway in Philadelphia? You'll learn quickly the virtues of alacrity on the entrance ramp... assuming of course traffic isn't at a dead stop, lol.
~alpha
bimmerjay says:
09:36 PM, 05/29/07
Seeing as how the throttle is drive-by-wire, a problem like this could be a sensor or other electronics glitch - a definite safety hazard, IMHO. Braking, throttle and steering systems should be engineered to the point that they do not fail or behave unpredictably. Audi can attest to this- I'm guessing Edmunds' LT Q7 4.2 will not experience any throttle problems.
mercedesfan says:
01:56 PM, 05/30/07
Alpha01 we were on the same page and I agree that going too slow is a safety issue as well, I was just saying it is not as bad as getting stuck accelerting. bimmerjay I agree with your assesment but I would not say that it is a fundamental engineering problem because this is the first time I have ever heard of it happening. Secondly, as a mechanical engineer I know for a fact that the quality control for mechanical parts at Mercedes-Benz is more stringent than any other automaker on the planet.
owise1 says:
06:44 PM, 10/12/08
I had the same problem with the gas pedal. Bought the R-500 on Saturday. Wife drove it Sunday and Monday. Monday evening this car is really dragging, extremely slow acceleration. Started flooring it to get it go, shifting gears with the switches behind the steering wheel to get it going. One or two close calls in Washington DC traffic, trying to get up enough speed to switch lanes in heavy traffic. Monday evening, researching web. Found lots of discussion and stories of people getting the transmission "re-tuned". Tuesday morning leaving the house same thing. Then a thunderbolt. Tugged at the floor mat beneath my feet and volia! The floor mat had gotten under the gas pedal. Once removed -- vrooom! You've probably already checked this, but it took me two days. New car and I'm still reading the manual a couple of times a day. Might save a trip back to the dealer.