'P' symbol in blue background on dashboard / automatic operation

[2750HP]

Evening: still working out all the bits and bobs of my 2016 E class cabriolet. On occasion a symbol 'P' in a blue background comes up at the bottom of the speedo - it then exctinguishes. I cannot find what it is in the driver's manual but then again this tome does seem complicated comapred to those for other non MB cars i own. Can someone advice please?

Secondly, if i come to a stop, say at traffic lights or other delay should i move the transmission from D to N or leave in D - either way with the brake on? 99% of my experience is with a manual car.

Thanks
Steve

 

[s5tuart]

Evening: still working out all the bits and bobs of my 2016 E class cabriolet. On occasion a symbol 'P' in a blue background comes up at the bottom of the speedo - it then exctinguishes. I cannot find what it is in the driver's manual but then again this tome does seem complicated comapred to those for other non MB cars i own. Can someone advice please?

Secondly, if i come to a stop, say at traffic lights or other delay should i move the transmission from D to N or leave in D - either way with the brake on? 99% of my experience is with a manual car.

Thanks
Steve

Sounds as though it's the self parking telling you there's a space

 

[Benz17]

Evening: still working out all the bits and bobs of my 2016 E class cabriolet. On occasion a symbol 'P' in a blue background comes up at the bottom of the speedo - it then exctinguishes. I cannot find what it is in the driver's manual but then again this tome does seem complicated comapred to those for other non MB cars i own. Can someone advice please?

Secondly, if i come to a stop, say at traffic lights or other delay should i move the transmission from D to N or leave in D - either way with the brake on? 99% of my experience is with a manual car.

Thanks
Steve

You should not put it in N, leave it in D, and firmly press the brake, a hold sign will be displayed on the dash, you can now remove your foot of the brake, and hey presto, when you want to drive off, just press the accelerator, and the hold function will disengage.

P in blue as the previous poster has posted, is park assist, wherby upon the car finding a suitable parking space, it will park for you.

 

[Benz17]

In the manual check under park assist, and hold function, all will be revealed.

 

[mioba]

In the manual check under park assist, and hold function, all will be revealed.

aka RTFM

 

[Ron240]

You should not put it in N, leave it in D, and firmly press the brake, a hold sign will be displayed on the dash, you can now remove your foot of the brake, and hey presto, when you want to drive off, just press the accelerator, and the hold function will disengage.

Just for clarification this is technology that you are free to make use of if you wish, but there is no reason why you should not take an automatic car out of Drive when stopped for extended periods.
Personally I do not use the Hold function because it illuminates all rear brake lights for the duration of the stop, and I know how irritating this can be at times when sitting immediately behind another vehicle.
Whenever I stop at traffic lights on a level road I put the gearbox into Park which could not be easier because all it takes is a press of the button on the end of the gear selector stalk, then flick it into Drive when the lights change.
Having the gear selector on a stalk like this is just one of the things I really like about my car.

 

[ioweddie]

it identifies a suitable sized parking space

 

[brandwooddixon]

P symbol - as mentioned is for either parking assistance or automatic parking depending on what's fitted. When it shows if you stop and place the car into reverse a message will pop up asking if you want to use the feature.

For driving always leave your gearbox in gear unless you intend to leave the engine running and get out of the car (on newer cars don't rely on the gearbox automatically entering park if you open the driver's door). Not switching to neutral or park avoids unnecessary wear. Application of the parking brake should hold the car stationary.

Similarly I don't use foot brake HOLD function, as it leaves the pads in contact with the brake discs whilst stationary which is something to avoid as it encourages "warping".

 

[Benz17]

So when you are stationery if you don’t use the hold system, and don’t put the car in neutral, what do you to prevent the car from moving, which in certain conditions it will.

 

[AndySlade]

So when you are stationery if you don’t use the hold system, and don’t put the car in neutral, what do you to prevent the car from moving, which in certain conditions it will.

That’s what the hand brake/parking brake is for if you don’t put in park or use the hold function

 

[ajlsl600]

I tried that auto park on mine it worked fine but, if it does not and hits car behind who is liable benz software? I doubt it. After fitting towbar I tried again. It still worked but only gave 3 inches to car at rear so I decided best to drop madam out to check in future

 

[Benz17]

P symbol - as mentioned is for either parking assistance or automatic parking depending on what's fitted. When it shows if you stop and place the car into reverse a message will pop up asking if you want to use the feature.

For driving always leave your gearbox in gear unless you intend to leave the engine running and get out of the car (on newer cars don't rely on the gearbox automatically entering park if you open the driver's door). Not switching to neutral or park avoids unnecessary wear. Application of the parking brake should hold the car stationary.

Similarly I don't use foot brake HOLD function, as it leaves the pads in contact with the brake discs whilst stationary which is something to avoid as it encourages "warping".

Have used the hold system for around 8 years on previous W211, and also 3 years on my W213, never experienced warping, but that has been my experience.