Mercedes Dealer News

Mercedes Benz offers Blind Spot Assist

Blind Spot Assist is now available as an option in the S Class and CL Class Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz employs six short-range radar sensors for the new assistance system, which can be found in the front and rear bumpers. The sensors monitor the zone to the side and rear of the car on both the left and the right. In so doing, they cover the area known as the "blind spot" which drivers are unable to see in the exterior mirrors.

If the system detects another vehicle in the danger zone, a red warning symbol appears in the exterior mirror glass. This symbol informs the driver that it may be dangerous to change lanes. Should the driver ignore this warning and switch on the indicators, the red symbol in the mirror will start to flash and an audible warning will also sound.

Blind Spot Assist is offered for the S and CL-Class in conjunction with other radar-based assistance systems, such as DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control, Brake Assist PLUS, the PRE-SAFE® brake and Parking Guidance.

Mercedes-Benz adds Google and Yahoo maps functionality to Tele Aid and Navigation

Mercedes-Benz adds Google maps and Yahoo maps functionality to its Tele Aid System and Navigation starting September 5th.

Mercedes-Benz is pleased to announce Mercedes-Benz Search & Send, a new and exciting feature of Tele Aid. Mercedes-Benz Search & Send is a convenient way to plan destinations ahead of time. Using popular and familiar Google MapsTM and Yahoo! Local Maps® from the comfort of your home or office computer, you can search for a destination online, and send it right to your car.

Once you are in your vehicle, simply push the i-button and your destination will be downloaded directly to the vehicle’s navigation system via your Tele Aid service. You will be prompted to either start route guidance immediately, or save the information for later use in your navigation memory. Instead of spending time inputting data into your navigation system, your destinations can now be downloaded with the simple push of a button!

Time is valuable and having options is important. Search & Send gives you the flexibility to plan trips when and where you want. You can have colleagues or family send a destination to your Mercedes-Benz vehicle while on the road. Mercedes-Benz Search & Send naturally expands the convenience of the Internet directly into your vehicle. And, like so many other ground-breaking automotive innovations, Mercedes-Benz is the first automotive manufacturer to offer this functionality in the United States on select vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz Search & Send is available starting with MY07 S-Class, CL-Class, and all new MY08 C-Class. Vehicle must be equipped with the Tele Aid System with an active subscription and Navigation. This feature will launch on September 5th. Look for it on Google MapsTM and Yahoo Local Maps®, search for a destination, and click the “send to car” button.

For more information visit www.mbusa.com/searchandsend

Mercedes-Benz Tele Aid goes completely digital

Upgrade your analog Tele Aid to digital!

Due to the recently revised Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations, analog wireless systems are no longer required to be maintained. Since Mercedes Tele Aid was using this platform, all vehicles that were operating on this system must now be upgraded to digital in order to continue service.

Wireless providers are phasing out the analog service, making it obsolete by December 31, 2007. 

Affected are all Model Year 2000-2004 vehicles, Model Year 2005 M-Class, G Class, Maybach vehicles up to Model Year 2006, and all SLR vehicles.

In order to avoid interrupted service, the equipment must be updated. This conversion requires a new (digital) control module and the installation/activation by your Mercedes Benz dealer. You will need to determine the length of your expected term of ownership. 

Available packages:

• 1 year Tele Aid subscription with digital upgrade for $824 + installation (includes $100 mail-in rebate).
• 2 year Tele Aid subscription with digital upgrade is $1148 + installation (includes $200 mail-in rebate).
• Lifetime Tele Aid subscription that is active the entire term of your ownership. This subscription/digital conversion is a one-time expense of $1500 + installation. 

Installation times vary slightly per model, but normally take between 2-3 hours and will be activated at time of installation. For more information, call your local Mercedes dealer or visit: Mercedes Benz Tele Aid FAQ

If you live in the Maryland Tri-state area and are interested in upgrading your Tele Aid to the new Digital system, call our service department at 1-866-508-8690.

Mercedes-Benz Distronic PLUS

Mercedes adds Parking Guidance and Blind Spot Assist to their Distronic PLUS.

Mercedes-Benz just announced 2 new enhancements to its Distronic PLUS Adaptive Cruise Control.

• Parking Guidance
• Blind Spot Assist

Another enhancement is a 30% price reduction for Distronic PLUS. Together with the additional enhancements and a reduced price of $2,010 (compared to $2,870) the New Distronic PLUS is a significant value.

Parking Guidance and how it works:

A radar based system uses the Distronic PLUS sensors to assist drivers by identifying parallel parking spaces, and shows steering directions into the space in the multifunction display.

At speeds below 25 MPH, potential parking spaces are measured by side-mounted radar sensors as the vehicles passes by. If the vehicles is below 10 MPH. sufficiently large parking spaces are show in the instrument cluster.

Once the vehicles is stopped, and reverse is engaged, steering directions appear in the multifunction display to guide into the parking space.

All the driver has to do is maneuver the vehicles along the marked lines until reaching the stopping positions which are likewise marked in the multifunction display. An audible tone provides further assistance.

Blind Spot Assist and how it works:

Blind Spot Assist also utilizes the radar sensors to monitor the vehicle's "blind spot" and gives the driver visual and audio warnings then a vehicle has entered the blind spot. The blind spot stretches roughly from the B-pillar, to approximately 12 feet to the side left-right and 10 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle.

The system begins to monitor the blind spot once the driver is traveling above 20 MPH. If a vehicle is in the blind spot the driver is alerted by means of an illuminated red triangle in the exterior mirror. If the vehicle is in the blind spot and the drivers turn signal is activated, the visual display will begin to flash, accompanied with an audible tone.

Mercedes-Benz Bluetec Diesel - Top 10 in Ward’s Auto World Magazine

BLUETEC clean diesel system among the top ten in Ward’s Auto World Magazine. 

The Mercedes- Benz BLUETEC V6 engines have been recognized as the premium turbo diesel engine among the top competitors in the Ward’s Auto World Magazine top ten engines award.  The event is judged on basis of power and torque output, noise, vibration and harshness levels, other basic comparative numbers and features, as well as a base price of no more than $54,000. 

Ward’s Auto World Magazine hand picks 33 different engines from around the world and carefully tests every engine for a period of two months.  Each engine is meticulously examined by six of the top engineers and judges of Ward’s Auto World Magazine, a tradition that started in 1994. 

The Mercedes- Benz BLUETEC V6 engine shocked engineers and enthusiast everywhere, demonstrating a powerful engine compatible with gas engines, all while providing 25 percent better fuel efficiency.  BLUETEC engines are offered exclusively through the Mercedes-Benz E320, ML320, GL320, and R320 CDI.   Being the only diesel engine among the top ten rated engines in the world, Mercedes- Benz is proud to provide consumers a variety of products in an efficient and technologically exquisite fashion.

Shop Mercedes-Benz Bluetec diesel vehicles.

Daylight Savings Time!!

No longer the first Sunday in April, Daylight saving time begins the second Sunday in March. Remember to adjust the clock in your Mercedes-Benz.

Depending on your vehicle model, clock adjustments may be performed through your vehicle's instrument cluster, steering-wheel controls, or COMAND system.

Instructions for setting the clock in your Mercedes-Benz can be found here.

Mercedes-Benz Navigation

Have you ever owned a car with Navigation? It’s one of those options you don’t realize how nice it is until you have one. Once you have Navigation, it spoils you and you will never want a new vehicle without it.

The Mercedes-Benz Navigation system offers you security and efficiency when you need it the most. Using GPS technology and digitized maps, you can track your weekend roadtrip or see the highways you will be approaching. Looking to avoid tolls and freeways, or looking for the upcoming rest area? Not a problem. The Mercedes- Benz navigation system offers Point of Interest, which enables you to view your preferences at the touch of a button. The Mercedes-Benz Navigation system includes coverage in 48 contiguous United States, plus Hawaii and Canada depending on system configuration.

The Points of Interest (POI) is no doubt the most enjoying feature. Looking for a Mexican restaurant or maybe the local sports arena? Use the Mercedes Navigation POI feature and you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Lost in unfamiliar neighborhood at night is not an ideal picture of safety. With the Mercedes- Benz Navigation system you can identify your location and have visual and voice commands to guide you to your destination, offering you safety and peace of mind.

Trying to find an alternative route because of traffic? Needs directions to a last minute meeting? At Mercedes-Benz, we understand that time and efficiency is valuable to you, with the navigation system Points of Interest feature you can rest assure that your day will run as planned.

Another key feature is the “last destinations”. The Mercedes-Benz Navigation will keep your previous trips and destinations stored so the next time you want to head home, you can choose from your last destinations rather then programming the navigation to route your trip home.

Mercedes-Benz also offers NavUpdate, which automatically updates new map information such as restaurant closures, new store openings, ATM locations, and new exits on major highways. Available in one, two, and three year subscription plans, your plan includes discs (which are shipped directly to the address you specify) along with automatic map updates.

Mercedes-Benz Hands-Free Communication System

When Mercedes-Benz set out to develop a Hands-Free Communication System, they focused on creating a highly engineered and completely integrated system. They took into account - safety, security, efficiency, and luxury.

The Mercedes-Benz integrated hands- free communication system offers you security with the ability to make, receive, and end calls with the push of a button, with minimal driving distractions.

Using the Mercedes- Benz audio system, an external antenna and an on-board signal booster, your guaranteed to receive optimum reception and less dropped class. Never lose another call due to an uncharged battery, the Multi- Handset Interface Cradle keeps your phone continually and automatically accesses your phonebook.

The Hands-Free Communication System includes an Instrument Panel Display that enables you to view your phonebook entries and Caller ID. The Audio System Display enables you to view useful your phonebook entries, dial numbers, phone status, caller ID, and text messages. The Multi-Handset Interface Cradle constantly keeps the headset charged, it automatically accesses your phonebook information, and is designed to accommodate with the current selection of Motorola phones. The Steering Wheel Controls enables you to answer and end calls, find a number in your phonebook all while keeping your eyes on the road.

The system is enabled with additional features such a microphone, which features noise and echo reduction for optimal sound quality and integrated inside of the vehicle. The state-of-the-art cell phone technology offers the latest in Motorola cell phones to fit your special needs and priorities. Because the integrated hands- free communication system is engineered by Mercedes-Benz, you can trust it’s approved and test and comes with a 4-year/50,000 mile warranty coverage.

You are sort of limited on the phone selection; however Mercedes-Benz has done a good job keeping up with the most popular phones. For a full listing of phones, accessories and what’s compatible visit the dedicated Auto Wireless Solutions website exclusively for Mercedes-Benz OR call our Accessories and Service department at 1-301-733-2301 to schedule an install or to order hands-free accessories.