Audio/COMAND Operating Instructions - GF82.85-P-0014-11FR
Model 257, 290
up to model year 2021
Audio/COMAND operating instructions, general
This description attempts to present operation of the full functional scope for the head unit (A26/17) while taking all the vehicle's standard and special equipment, as known at the copy deadline, into account.
National-specific and equipment-specific deviations hereto are possible. The vehicle is equipped with digital operating instructions, which can be called up on the driver information system.
Digital operator's manual: The language of the operator's manual can be selected from the language packages offered for different national versions. Content can be called up through the table of contents, a visual search on the vehicle or using a keyword.
The digital operator's manual also provides animations.
The functions and menu navigation for the driver information system are shown on the Audio/COMAND display (A40/8). The driver information system can be operated with the following controls:
- Audio/COMAND control panel (A40/9) (except code 446 (Touchpad only))
- Touchpad (A105) (with code 446 (Touchpad only) or with code 448 (Touchpad))
- Voice control system (VCS) (with code 531 (COMAND APS) or with code 357 (Map navigation))
- Head unit multifunction steering wheel button group (S163/2)
- Upper control panel control unit (N72/1)
- Right lower control panel (N72/5)
- Touchscreen (A105/3) (model 290 with code 224 (Design individual rear seat system))
Audio/COMAND control panel (except code 446 (Touchpad only))
The Audio/COMAND control panel is located on the center console. As the main control, the Audio/COMAND control panel includes the Audio/COMAND controller (A40/9s11), which makes navigation in menus and lists, the selection of display-generated buttons (softkeys) and the entry of characters possible by tilting, pressing and turning. The "Back" button (A40/9s2) and the "Home" and "Favorite" button (A40/9s16) support menu navigation. Using the "Back" button, you can switch to the last display with a short press and switch to the main menu with a long press. The main menu and functions that have been saved as favorites can be called up using the "Home" and "Favorites" buttons.
Touchpad (with code 446 (Touchpad only) or with code 448 (Touchpad))
User input (operating gestures and handwriting recognition) is detected and the palm rest is recognized via the touch-sensitive user interface. The touchpad also recognizes when the integrated buttons are pressed. The active audio source can be operated using the Background Audio button (A105s2) in a pop-up window at the bottom edge of the screen without having to close the menu that is currently open.
On vehicles with code 448 (Touchpad), the touchpad must be switched on via the vehicle menu in the head unit.
For the greater touch touchpad with code 446 (Touchpad only), the Audio/COMAND control panel must be omitted due to the limited installation space on the center console.
Voice control system (VCS) (with code 531 (COMAND APS) or with code 357 (Map navigation))
The voice control system is switched on and off with voice control ON switch and favorites (S163/2s17) of the head unit multifunction steering wheel button group. With the voice control system switched on, numerous equipment dependent functions of the driver information system (e.g. navigation, radio and media sources, telephony, vehicle menu) can be operated via voice command in dialog with the VCS. The voice control system recognizes coherent commands that can be spoken by any person (e.g.: "Navigate to MercedesstraBe 87 in Stuttgart"), without the need for teach-in. If the message of the voice command is not clearly identified, a query is made by the voice control system.
Model 257, 290
up to model year 2021
with code 357 (Map navigation)
Navigation mode functions can be operated via the VCS.
Head unit multifunction steering wheel button group
The head unit multifunction steering wheel button group is located on the multifunction steering wheel and allows the driver to operate the driver information system without removing their hands from the steering wheel. The head unit finger navigation pad (S163/2s10), the "Back" button (S163/2s13) and the "Home" button (S163/2s14) allow for control of the head unit.
The following functions can also be directly operated with the head unit multifunction steering wheel button group:
- Accept telephone call/connecting call and reject/end telephone call via the accept/end phone call button (S163/2s15)
- Increase/decrease volume and mute function via the volume adjustment switch (S163/2s16)
- Switching voice control system on and off via the voice control ON switch and favorites
- Calling up favorites via voice control ON switch and favorites
Upper control panel control unit
The upper control panel control unit is located in the center of the instrument panel and supplies the following control elements with which head unit menus can be opened:
- "MEDIA" button (N72/1s51)
- "NAVI" button (N72/1s52)
- "RADIO" button (N72/1s54)
- "TEL" button (N72/1s56)
- Vehicle button (N72/1s58)
- Parking system button (N72/1s8) (model 290 with code 235 (Parking Pilot with PARKTRONIC))
Right lower control panel
The volume control button (N72/5s1) and head unit ON button (N72/5s2) (model 257) are integrated into the right lower control panel. The head unit is switched on and off using the head unit ON switch.
In model 257, the volume control button is designed as a drum controller. The volume is adjusted by turning the volume control switch. The audio source is muted (mute function) by pressing the volume switch.
In model 290, the functions of the volume control button and the head unit ON button are combined in the volume control button. Symbols in the display of the button allow the head unit to be switched on and off and the mute function to be activated and deactivated. The volume can be increased or lowered via a switch.
Touchscreen (A105/3) (model 290 with code 224 (Design individual rear seat system))
In addition to other vehicle functions, selected functions of the driver information system can also be operated via the Touchscreen in the rear passenger compartment. These are operated using a touch-sensitive user interface. The following functions can be operated:
- Selection and operation of audio sources, including volume, mute function
- Tone settings
Display of vehicle and engine data
Selected vehicle and engine data can be displayed in specially prepared views on the Audio/COMAND display via the "DYNAMIC SELECT" menu item, depending on the equipment:
- Vehicle data (view of three-dimensional vehicle model with background screen and accompanying graphics, depending on selected transmission mode): e.g. type of road, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, accelerator pedal and brake pedal activity, level adjustment animation, dampening, vehicle level display, wheel angle, compass
- Engine data (view of analog instruments): e.g. engine torque, output, engine oil temperature, on-board electrical system voltage, transmission oil temperature
Integration of smartphones
The head unit enables the integration of smartphones. This means that the smartphone applications (Apps) in the vehicle can be used and shown on the Audio/COMAND display, which was developed for the following integration standards:
- CarPlay (Apple) (with code 16U (CarPlay smartphone integration))
- Android Auto (Google) (with code 17U (Google Automotive Link smartphone integration))
- CarLife (Baidu) (with code 18U (Baidu CarLife smartphone integration))
The vehicle-related preparation of the contents is safeguarded by the integration standards.
If the smartphone is going to be used, the head unit is switched into a special operating mode ("Integration mode") with Android Auto and CarPlay, in which the functions of the driver information system can only be used to a limited extent. The following functions of the head unit are not available if Android Auto or CarPlay is activated:
- Media player
- Navigation
- Voice control system
- Telephony (with CarPlay)
The functions radio, vehicle settings and safety-relevant functions, such as the emergency call function can still be used.
With Android Auto, the following usage restrictions apply for the telephony: Calls can only be made through the connected smartphone. Telephony with code 380 (Car telephony package) is not possible. In order to use the smartphone applications, the smartphone must be connected to USB port 2 (A90/5x2) (except code 899 (Multifunction telephony)) of the multimedia connection unit (A90/5) or to the front center console USB port (X115/5) (with code 899 (Multifunction telephony)) and the integration standard selected using the "Connect" menu. If automatic connection was selected under "Settings", activation via the menu is not applicable.
With the Android Auto integration standard, a connection via Bluetooth® between the smartphone and head unit is required as well as the connection via USB (Universal Serial Bus). The connection via Bluetooth® is established automatically.
Smartphone applications are operated using the following controls:
- Audio/COMAND control panel (except code 446 (Touchpad only))
- Touchpad (with code 446 (Touchpad only) or with code 448 (Touchpad))
- Volume control button in the right lower control panel
- Individual control elements of the head unit multifunction steering wheel button group, e.g.:
- Accept/terminate phone call switch
- Voice control ON and favorites switch (press and hold)
- Switches on the upper control panel control unit:
- "MEDIA" button
- "NAVI" button
- "TEL" button (CarPlay only)
If voice control is implemented in the smartphone application, the app can be operated using voice control, which is received by the head unit via the driver-side hands-free system microphone (B25/20), as it is for the voice control system.