You’re cruising down the highway, maybe stuck in just enough traffic to notice the car in front of you. It’s a late-model Mercedes-Benz, likely an S-Class or an EQS. Suddenly, the iconic three-pointed star on the trunk lid does a little dance. It tilts, flips, or disappears entirely into the bodywork. Then, just as quickly, it’s back.
It looks like a secret gadget out of a Bond film. Honestly, if you didn’t know better, you’d think the car was trying to wink at you.
People ask me about this all the time because it feels like such an over-engineered flex. Why would a car company spend thousands of dollars in R&D just to make a piece of plastic move around? Well, there are actually three very specific, very German reasons for it. It isn't just for show.
The Stealthy Eye: Keeping the Rearview Camera Clean
The most common reason why does the mercedes logo flip while driving is actually a matter of hygiene. No, seriously.
Back in the day, backup cameras were just little nubs sticking out near the license plate. They were ugly. Worse, they were useless the second it started raining or snowing. If you live somewhere with road salt or mud, you know the struggle of shifting into reverse only to see a blurry, gray smudge on your infotainment screen.
Mercedes solved this by hiding the camera behind the logo.
When you shift into reverse, or if the 360-degree parking sensors decide they need a look at the world, a small electric motor tilts the star upward. The camera peeks out from underneath. When you shift back into drive and exceed a certain speed—usually around 15 to 20 mph—the logo flips back down to seal the unit.
This keeps the lens bone-dry and crystal clear. It’s a mechanical solution to a digital problem. You might see it flip while the car is moving forward if the driver just finished a parking maneuver; the system stays "awake" for a few seconds just in case they need to adjust their positioning.
The Invisible Wall: Radar and Distronic Plus
Now, if you see the logo on the front of the car acting weird, or if it looks strangely flat and glassy, you’re looking at the nerve center of the car’s brain.
On older models, the "Gunsight" hood ornament was just a piece of metal. But on modern Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with Distronic Plus (that’s their fancy name for adaptive cruise control), the logo is actually a high-tech shield.
Behind that flat, plastic star sits a mid-range radar sensor.
This radar needs to "see" through the grille to measure the distance to the car in front of you. If the logo were made of solid metal, it would block the radar waves. If it were covered in ice, the system would fail. Mercedes uses a specialized, radio-transparent material for the logo. In some high-end models, there’s even a heating element behind the star to melt away snow.
While the front logo doesn't "flip" in a mechanical circle like the rear one, it can sometimes appear to shift or shimmer due to the way light hits the various layers of sensors tucked behind it.
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Aerodynamics and the Quest for Range
If you're looking at one of the new electric EQ models, like the EQS or EQE, the logo behavior gets even more specialized.
Range is king in the EV world. Wind resistance is the enemy. Mercedes engineers are obsessed with the "Coefficient of Drag" ($C_d$). Every tiny bump on the surface of the car creates turbulence, which eats into your battery life.
The rear logo on these cars is flush-mounted. When it flips to reveal the camera, it’s actually breaking the aerodynamic seal of the car. Mercedes programmed the software to keep that logo closed as much as possible. You’ll notice that if you're driving at high speeds, the logo will almost never flip open, even if you accidentally trigger a camera view, because the car prioritizes airflow over a clear rear-view picture at 70 mph.
The "Valet" Factor and Security
Let’s talk about theft for a second. We’ve all seen the vintage Mercedes cars missing their hood ornaments. It was a huge problem in the 80s and 90s.
While the "flipping" logo on the trunk isn't primarily an anti-theft device, it serves a secondary security purpose. When the car is locked, the motor provides significant resistance. It’s not just a loose flap. On some luxury Maybach variants, the mechanism is designed to retract or lock in a way that makes it nearly impossible to pry off without specialized tools.
It’s also about protecting the expensive camera hardware. A lens sitting out in the open is a target for debris or vandals. Tucking it behind a heavy-duty emblem is like putting your jewelry in a safe every time you leave the house.
What if it gets stuck?
Nothing is perfect. I’ve seen cases where road grit gets into the hinge of the flipping mechanism. If you notice your logo is "stuck" halfway or making a grinding noise, it’s usually one of two things:
- Debris buildup: A quick blast with a pressure washer (carefully!) usually clears it out.
- Actuator failure: The tiny motor that pulls the star up can eventually burn out.
Interestingly, Mercedes actually built a "Service Mode" into the infotainment system. You can go into the vehicle settings and select "Open Camera Cover" to force the logo to flip up while the car is stationary. This lets you clean the lens or the area behind the star without having to stand behind the car while someone else holds the brake in reverse.
Troubleshooting and Maintenance
If you own one of these cars and the "flipping" action seems sluggish, don't ignore it. That little motor is fighting against wind pressure and gravity.
I usually recommend owners check the seal around the logo once a year. If the rubber gasket starts to dry out, it can create friction. A tiny bit of silicone-based lubricant—and I mean a tiny bit—on the pivot points can keep it moving smoothly for the life of the car.
Also, keep an eye on your car battery. Since this is an electronic actuator, a weak battery can sometimes cause the logo to "glitch" or move slowly. It's often the first sign that your voltage is dipping before the car even struggles to start.
The Bottom Line
When you see a Mercedes logo flip while driving, you’re watching a choreographed dance between aesthetics and utility. It’s the brand’s way of saying they refuse to let a dirty camera lens ruin a $100,000 driving experience. It’s clever, it’s a bit flashy, and it’s quintessentially Mercedes.
Next Steps for Owners
- Check your settings: Find the "Camera" menu in your MBUX system to see if you have the "Automatic Folding" feature turned on.
- Manual Cleaning: Use the "Open Camera Cover" function in the settings menu once a month to wipe the hidden lens with a microfiber cloth.
- Visual Inspection: If you hear a clicking sound when shifting to reverse, have a technician check the emblem actuator before the motor burns out completely.