Collision Avoidance System?

2014 MERCEDES BENZ S550
78,880 MILES • 4.6L • V8 • TURBO • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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CHARLESTUCK
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Sometimes the car applies the brakes regardless of the following distance.
Mar 12, 2026 at 9:34 PM
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STRAILER
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
I would do a CAN scan first before replacing anything, but to me it sounds like the proximity sensor in the front of the car is bad. Here is a video to show you how to do the first step.

CAN SCAN - https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

Problems can occur if:

1. Dirt or bugs cover the sensor
2. The grille/emblem area is dirty
3. The bumper has been bumped or repaired
4. Radar alignment is off

The radar may need recalibration with a scan tool and target board, or the sensor itself is bad but the scan should have a code for it. Please let me know what you find, Ken
Mar 13, 2026 at 9:59 AM
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CHARLESTUCK
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Scan produced no problems.
Jul 16, 2026 at 3:05 AM
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STRAILER
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 54,832 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
To confirm it was a CAN scan correct, not a regular drivetrain scan? There are different. Also, I would heck the sensor in the front to make sure it is not dirty or has something in front of it. Can you see the sensor?
Jul 16, 2026 at 1:28 PM
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CHARLESTUCK
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  • 66 POSTS
There were no errors. How do I access the camera in the grill behind the plate? I want to clean it.
Jul 16, 2026 at 4:45 PM
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STRAILER
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 54,832 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Yep, sorry about, my bad, that system does not use a camera, it has two detection units in the front bumper, has the car been in an accident? Check out the images below.
Jul 16, 2026 at 6:40 PM
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