Telematics Services Function - GF82.85-P-2060FH

Model 238 

Up To Model Year 2021 

With Code 360 (HERMES UMTS) 

Model 238 

Up To Model Year 2021 

With Code 362 (HERMES communications module LTE) 

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Shown On Model 238 as of 01.06.2018 

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Shown On Model 238.3 up to 31.05.2018 

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Shown On Model 238.4 up to 31.05.2018 

General telematics services function requirements 

• Circuit 30t
• Transport mode is not active.
• The HERMES control unit is configured with the telephone number of the corresponding service provider.
• The user is registered with "Mercedes me", and the vehicle is linked to his account.
• The respective service is authorized (valid subscription) and activated.

General telematics services 

At the vehicle side, the telematics services are realized by the HERMES control unit via a cellular telephone system connection to the Service Center. The HERMES control unit sends and receives mobile phone signals over the following antennas:

• Emergency call system antenna 1
• Emergency call system antenna 2 (model 238.3 with code 362 (HERMES LTE))
• Left telephone antenna, right telephone antenna and telephone antenna splitter (model 238.4 with code 362 (HERMES LTE))

Model 238

up to model year 2021

with code 362 (HERMES communications module LTE)

The antennas used form a transmission and reception diversity.

The telematics services function encompasses the following subfunctions:

• Overview of the basic telematics services (Mercedes me connect) 
• Overview of the additional telematics services (Mercedes me connect) With Code 520 (Audio 20 USB) or With Code 522 (Audio 20 radio) 
• Overview of the additional telematics services (Mercedes me connect) With Code 506 (Audio 20 radio NTG 5.5) or code 531 (COMAND APS) 
• Overview of the telematics services With Code 494 (USA version) up to 31.05.2018 
• Voice connection between vehicle and Service Center 
• Position finding 
• Forwarding data, data requests, display messages and operating requests 

Model 238

as of model year 2019 up to model year 2021

with code 362 (HERMES communications module LTE)

with code 494 (US version)

The Mercedes me connect services are available. Market-specific variations in the services offered are possible.

The emergency call, Internet connection and the transfer of real-time traffic data are described elsewhere.

Mercedes me connect

Using the website "www.mercedes.me" or the Mercedes me app, the vehicle owner can configure and activate services on the Mercedes me portal.

Overview of the basic telematics services (Mercedes me connect) 

The following services, e.g. are available:

• Maintenance management:

  If the customer has taken out a service and maintenance contract, vehicle data is transmitted via the Service Center to the service partner if necessary; the service partner then notifies the user that service is required via the medium selected by the user (e.g. "MyMercedes", e-mail, telephone). If the customer has not taken out a service and maintenance contract, a pop-up window appears on the Audio/COMAND display 5 days before the calculated service due, asking whether a connection to the customer center should be set up. If the user selects "Call now", a voice connection to the Service Center is set up. If the user selects "Call later", the pop-up window is displayed again later. If the user selects "No, thank you", no pop-up window is displayed when the service is due.

• Telediagnosis:

  The condition of wear parts (e.g. brake disks) is monitored and transmitted via the Service Center to the service partner if necessary; the service partner then notifies the user that the wear parts require replacement via the medium selected by the user (e.g. "MyMercedes", e-mail, telephone).

• Accident management:

  The user can request technical assistance via a voice connection after an accident.

• Breakdown management:

  By pressing the Mercedes me connect button (as of 01.06.2018) or the breakdown assistance button (up to 31.05.2018), the user can request technical assistance via a voice connection to the Service Center. With the consent of the user, vehicle data can be sent to enable faster and more effective assistance to be rendered.

Overview of the additional telematics services (Mercedes me connect) With Code 520 (Audio 20 USB) or With Code 522 (Audio 20 radio) 

These app services allow the user to use his/her terminals (e.g. smartphone, tablet or PC) to transmit information and operating requests to the vehicle via the Service Center and receive up-to-date vehicle data that has been prepared by the app.

The following telematics services are possible, e.g.:

• Remote closing and opening:

  The doors and the trunk lid are locked or opened. The HERMES control unit forwards the request via the diagnostic CAN to the electronic ignition lock control unit. The electronic ignition lock control unit checks whether the locking or unlocking of all vehicle doors and the trunk lid is possible, performs the locking or unlocking if possible and reports the status back to the HERMES control unit.

• Vehicle status remote query:

  Vehicle data such as the status of the doors and the fuel level can be retrieved online.

• Programming of stationary heater (with code 228 (Stationary heater)):

  The switch-on time of the stationary heater can be set online without range limitations and the status of the stationary heater can be queried online.

• Vehicle position:

  The user can locate the vehicle within an area of 1.5 km using the smartphone; this makes it easier to find the vehicle, e.g. in large parking lots or in unfamiliar cities.

• Vehicle locating:

  The user is informed online of the current vehicle position through the transfer of geo-coordinates; the activation of this function is indicated in the vehicle by a symbol on the Audio/COMAND display, and can be terminated by calling the Service Center from the vehicle.

• Geographical vehicle monitoring:

  The user is informed online as soon as his vehicle leaves or reaches an area marked by the user; activation of this function is displayed in the vehicle by an icon on the Audio/COMAND display, and can be terminated by calling the Service Center from the vehicle.

• Route planning

Overview of the additional telematics services (Mercedes me connect) With Code 506 (Audio 20 radio NTG 5.5) or code 531 (COMAND APS) 

The following telematics services are possible, e.g.:

• Concierge services (with code 531 (COMAND APS)):

  By pressing the Mercedes me connect button (as of 01.06.2018) or the MB-Info button (up to 31.05.2018) or via the MB Contact address book entry, information can be obtained via a voice connection (e.g. about restaurants in the vicinity or stock prices) and other services can be used (e.g. table reservations, hotel room bookings)

• Connected navigation:
  • Real-time traffic data (with code 367 (Live Traffic Information))
  • Car-to-X communication: Danger areas (e.g. broken-down vehicle, accident, fog, ice) are detected by participating vehicles through the vehicle sensors, and are automatically transmitted to the service provider or reported manually by a user.

    Participating vehicles receive at regular intervals updated information on dangerous areas in the vicinity that are then output acoustically by the head unit and as a pictogram on the navigation map.

  • Apps integrated in navigation mode: The weather, local search, parking space finder and gas station prices apps are displayed on the navigation map
  • Online map update via Universal Serial Bus (USB): The user can download map data updates in the Internet himself and e.g. make them available on a USB stick to the head unit via the multimedia connection unit.
  • Online map update via cellular telephone system connection to Service Center: The HERMES control unit receives updates to map data in the background and forwards them to the head unit
  • Satellite images, IP radio, Aupeo! Personal Radio (including chargeable data flat rate)
• Vehicle monitoring (with code 09U (Vehicle monitoring) up to 30.06.2017 or as of 01.07.2017):
  • Vehicle location: The user can locate the vehicle within a radius of 1.5 km with his smartphone; this makes it easier to find the vehicle, e.g. in large parking lots or in unfamiliar cities.
  • Vehicle locating: The user is informed online about the vehicle's current position by means of transmitted geo-coordinates. Activation of this function is indicated in the vehicle by an icon on the Audio/COMAND display, and can be terminated from within the vehicle by calling the Service Center.
  • Geographical vehicle monitoring: The user is informed online as soon as his/her vehicle leaves or reaches an area marked by the user. Activation of this function is indicated in the vehicle by an icon on the Audio/COMAND display, and can be terminated from within the vehicle by calling the Service Center.
  • Route planning
  • Collision detection (with code 852 (Sensor system for anti-theft alarm system (ATA)), code 882 (Interior protection) or code P54 (Anti-Theft Protection Package)): The ATA is automatically activated by remote control when locking the vehicle. If, for example, a vehicle door or the trunk lid or the liftgate are opened without authorization, or if someone scrapes the parked vehicle, the user receives a notification on their smartphone via the app. (Irrespective of activation of this service, the collision detection is displayed by the head unit on the Audio/COMAND display on the next engine start.)
• Vehicle setup:
  • Remote closing and opening: The doors and trunk lid are locked or opened. The HERMES control unit forwards the request via the diagnostic CAN to the electronic ignition lock control unit. The electronic ignition lock control unit checks whether the locking or unlocking of all vehicle doors and the trunk lid is possible, performs the locking or unlocking if possible and reports the status back to the HERMES control unit.
  • Vehicle status remote query: vehicle data such as the status of the doors and the fuel level can be retrieved on-line.
  • Stationary heater programming (with code 228 (Stationary heater)): The switch-on time of the stationary heater can be set online without range limitations, and the status of the stationary heater can be queried online.
• Media
• Office (with code 531 (COMAND APS))
• User data synchronization (with code 531 (COMAND APS))

Overview of the telematics services With Code 494 (USA version) up to 31.05.2018 

The following services, e.g. are available:

• Tracking and notification in the event of anti-theft warning:

  When the vehicle is parked, an ATA alarm is reported to the vehicle owner via the Service Center. The owner can then, or when he notices the theft of his vehicle in another way, contact the police and report the theft. The vehicle owner receives a special number from the police, which confirms that the vehicle theft has been reported. With this number, the vehicle owner telephones the Service Center, which will then trigger the position finding. The Service Center forwards the location of the vehicle to the responsible command staff (e.g. police).

  Vehicle tracking can only be deactivated by the Service Center.

• Breakdown management:

  When the breakdown assistance button is operated, a voice connection is established with the Service Center, to enable remedial measures to be implemented quickly and efficiently in the event of a defective vehicle.

• MB-Info:

  By pressing the MB-Info button, the user can call up information on products from the Mercedes-Benz brand in addition to other voice-based services (e.g. booking a hotel) via a voice connection.

• Remote closing and opening:

  The doors and the trunk lid are locked or opened. The HERMES control unit receives the request from the Service Center and forwards it via the diagnostic CAN to the electronic ignition lock control unit. The electronic ignition lock control unit checks whether the locking or unlocking of all vehicle doors and the trunk lid is possible, performs the locking or unlocking if possible and reports the status back to the HERMES control unit.

• Remote diagnosis:

  Diagnostic data are sent automatically (via scripts, for evaluation) and also manually as part of a breakdown assistance procedure. The manual remote diagnosis is triggered by the Service Center and confirmed by the user. As soon as the diagnostic data has been transmitted, the Service Center restores the voice connection to the vehicle.

• Transmission of vehicle position ("Vehicle Locator"):

  This service allows the user to determine where the vehicle is currently located. The user receives the vehicle location either in the form of a map display (web page or iPhone), an SMS or by e-mail from the Service Center.

• Notification of a certain speed being exceeded ("Speed Alert"):

  As soon as the service is activated, the HERMES control unit reads in the speed value from the diagnostic CAN at intervals of no more than 5 seconds with circuit 15 ON and sends a message to the user if the determined value is exceeded.

• Notification if a certain area has been arrived at or exited ("Geo Fencing"):

  The user can determine areas for the vehicle about which, when arrived at or exited, he/she is notified via an SMS, email or automatic phone call.

• Transmission of information (e.g. map data) to the vehicle ("Remote Information Feed"):

  Appropriate information is transferred to the vehicle via the Internet (e.g. Google Maps, Yahoo) or the Service Center. With circuit 15 OFF, the HERMES control unit stores the received data in a buffer. With circuit 15 ON, the HERMES control unit forwards the received data to the head unit as soon as it is switched on.

• Transmission of updates to vehicle ("Remote Update"):

  The software of the HERMES control unit is updated without the user having to visit a workshop. The software is not updated immediately after transmission, but only 15 min. after circuit 15 OFF.

• Visual and acoustic vehicle recognition ("Flash Lights and Sound Horn"):

  The visual and acoustic vehicle recognition makes it easier to find your own vehicle if it is outside the range of the transmitter key. The message for activating or terminating the panic alarm is forwarded by the HERMES control unit via the diagnostic CAN, electronic ignition lock control unit and interior CAN to the front SAM control unit.

Remote Start: Using the cellular telephone system connection to the Service Center, the HERMES control unit also receives the triggering signal for the "Remote Start" function (for pre-entry climate control). The "Remote Start" function starts the engine in a parked and locked vehicle (windows and doors closed) and switches it off again after a limited period of time in order for the air conditioning system's "Load Mode" to reach pre-entry climate control. The HERMES control unit forwards the triggering signal via the diagnostic CAN to the electronic ignition lock control unit.

Additional function requirements for voice connection between vehicle and Service Center 

• No higher-priority service (e.g. automatic or manual emergency call) is active.

Voice connection between vehicle and Service Center 

The setup of a voice connection to the Mercedes-Benz Service Center is aborted after several unsuccessful dialing attempts, and a corresponding message appears on the Audio/COMAND display.

The voice connection function between the vehicle and the Service Center is split up into the following subfunctions:

• Triggering the voice connection via the Mercedes me connect button, the breakdown assistance button or the MB-Info button 
• Triggering the voice connection via the "MB-Contact" address book entry 
• Mute function 
• Hands-free 
• Termination of the voice connection 
• Prioritization 

Triggering the voice connection via the Mercedes me connect button, the breakdown assistance button or the MB-Info button 

When the Mercedes me connect button (as of 01.06.2018), the breakdown assistance button (up to 31.05.2018) or the MB-Info button (up to 31.05.2018) is pressed, the HERMES control unit establishes a voice connection to the Service Center. In model 238.3, the Mercedes me connect button (N70s16), the breakdown assistance button (N70s12) and the MB-Info button (N70s13) are integrated in the overhead control panel control unit. In model 238.4, the Mercedes me connect button (S93/3s6), the breakdown assistance button (S93/3s3) and the MB-Info button (S93/3s1) are read in by the overhead control panel control unit via a direct line. The operation signal is transmitted via the following route:

Overhead control panel control unit →

Interior CAN →

Electronic ignition lock control unit →

Diagnostic CAN →

HERMES control unit

At the same time as a voice connection is established, a data telegram is sent to the Mercedes-Benz Service Center containing, e.g. the following data: time stamp, global navigation system (GPS) position, the language configured in the head unit and the vehicle identification number.

While the voice connection is active, the light-emitting diode integrated in the button flashes; for this, the HERMES control unit actuates the Mercedes me connect button, the breakdown assistance button or the MB-Info button in the opposite direction.

The voice connection is shown on the Audio/COMAND display as follows:

HERMES control unit →

Diagnostic CAN →

Electronic ignition lock control unit →

User interface CAN →

Head unit →

HSVL line →

Audio/COMAND display

The active service is also displayed in the telephone menu of the instrument cluster. The HERMES control unit sends status signals over the following path:

Diagnostic CAN →

Electronic ignition lock control unit →

User interface CAN →

Instrument cluster

The Service Center can perform a remote diagnosis if necessary.

The Service Center can transmit map data to the vehicle if necessary. The data is made available to the navigation module of the head unit.

Additional function requirements for triggering the voice connection via the "MB-Contact" address book entry 

• No smartphone connected via the standard Android Auto or CarPlay

Triggering the voice connection via the "MB-Contact" address book entry 

The HERMES control unit sets up a voice connection with the Mercedes-Benz Service Center by selecting the reserved "MB-Contact" telephone book entry.

The permanently reserved address book entry "MB-Contact" can be selected using the following components:

• Audio/COMAND control panel (except code 446 (Touchpad only))
• Touchpad (with code 446 (Touchpad only) or with code 448 (Touchpad))
• Multifunction steering wheel button groups
• Voice control system (VCS [SBS]) (with code 531 (COMAND APS))

The operation signals from the Audio/COMAND control panel (except code 446 (Touchpad only)) or the touchpad (with code 446 (Touchpad only) or with code 448 (Touchpad)) are forwarded over the telematics CAN to the head unit.

The multifunction steering wheel button groups send the control signals via the following route:

Steering wheel electronics →

Steering wheel CAN (as of 01.06.2018) or steering LIN (up to 31.05.2018) →

Steering column tube module control unit →

Chassis FlexRay →

Electronic ignition lock control unit →

User interface CAN →

Head unit

The voice control system is activated on the head unit multifunction steering wheel button group. The voice control system is automatically switched off when the call is set up. When the voice control system is active, the voice commands are recorded by the driver hands-free system microphone and forwarded via a direct line to the head unit.

The individual voice commands are listed in the "Linguatronic operator's manual".

If the address book entry "MB Contact" was selected, the head unit sends the signal via the following route:

User interface CAN →

Electronic ignition lock control unit →

Diagnostic CAN →

HERMES control unit

Mute function 

When a voice connection is established, the HERMES control unit sends a signal over a direct line for muting the audio sources (mute function) to the following component, which then actuates the speaker system:

• Head unit (except code 810 (Sound system) and except code 811 (Advanced sound system) and except model 238.361/461)
• Midline sound system amplifier control unit (model 238.361/461 except code 810 (Sound system) and except code 811 (Advanced Sound System))
• Sound system amplifier control unit (with code 810 (Sound system))
• Advanced sound system amplifier control unit (with CODE 811 (Advanced Sound System))

Hands-free 

The hands-free system is not available for telephone calls for the duration of the voice connection.

After a data telegram has been transmitted to the Mercedes-Benz Service Center, the user can speak to a service receptionist via the voice connection. The Mercedes-Benz Service Center carries out the call in the language that was selected in the system settings of the head unit and transmitted in the data telegram, where possible.

The HERMES control unit receives outgoing voice signals from the driver hands-free system microphone via the head unit.

The HERMES control unit outputs the incoming voice signals over the center instrument panel speaker (except code 811 (Advanced sound system)) or over the center instrument panel midrange speaker (with code 811 (Advanced sound system)).

The volume of the voice output can be adjusted using the following controls:

• Head unit multifunction steering wheel button group (as of 01.06.2018)
• Instrument cluster multifunction steering wheel button group (up to 31.05.2018)
• Left lower control panel volume control button (with manual transmission)
• Right lower control panel volume control button (with automatic transmission)

The head unit multifunction steering wheel button group sends the volume setting over the following route:

Steering wheel electronics →

Steering wheel CAN →

Steering column tube module control unit →

Chassis FlexRay →

Electronic ignition lock control unit →

Diagnostic CAN →

HERMES control unit

The instrument cluster multifunction steering wheel button group sends the volume setting via the following route:

Steering wheel electronics →

Steering LIN →

Steering column tube module control unit →

Chassis FlexRay →

Electronic ignition lock control unit →

Diagnostic CAN →

HERMES control unit

The volume control button of the left lower control panel or the right lower control panel sends the volume setting via the following route:

LCP LIN →

Audio/COMAND control panel (except code 446 (Touchpad only)) or Touchpad (with code 446 (Touchpad only)) →

Telematics CAN →

Head unit →

User interface CAN →

Electronic ignition lock control unit →

Diagnostic CAN →

HERMES control unit

Termination of the voice connection 

The voice connection can be terminated via the head unit multifunction steering wheel button group if is not performed by the Mercedes-Benz Service Center.

As of 01.06.2018, the head unit multifunction steering wheel button group transmits the operation signals via the following route:

Steering wheel electronics →

Steering wheel CAN →

Steering column tube module control unit →

Chassis FlexRay →

Electronic ignition lock control unit →

Diagnostic CAN →

HERMES control unit

Up to 31.05.2018, the head unit multifunction steering wheel button group transmits the volume setting via the following route:

Priority	Service
1	Automatic emergency call
2	Manual emergency call
3	Breakdown Management
4	Concierge service (with code 531 (COMAND APS) except code 494 (USA version)) or MB-Info

Position finding 

A determination of the current vehicle position is essential for many telematics services. On vehicles with code 355 (Preinstallation for navigation retrofit) or with code 531 (COMAND APS), the HERMES control unit takes over the signals of the position finding from the head unit. The head unit sends the signals via the following route:

User interface CAN →

Electronic ignition lock control unit →

Diagnostic CAN →

HERMES control unit

As of 01.06.2019, the HERMES control unit also performs its own position finding. As a result, the HERMES control unit can immediately compensate for a lack of signals from the head unit.

Steering wheel electronics →

Steering LIN →

Steering column tube module control unit →

Chassis FlexRay →

Electronic ignition lock control unit →

Diagnostic CAN →

HERMES control unit

Prioritization 

For the services that require a voice connection between the vehicle and the Service Center, the prioritization shown below is valid.

Telematics services, e.g. accident management, can also be triggered by the Service Center after an emergency call with the user's consent. In this case, the voice connection that was set up for the emergency call is still used by means of redirecting within the Service Center. The emergency call is then converted into a service with lower priority.

Position finding is carried out by the HERMES control unit on vehicles except code 355 (Preinstallation for navigation retrofit) and except code 531 (COMAND APS).

For position finding, the HERMES control unit uses the global navigation system (GPS). GPS is available worldwide. GPS position finding is irretrievable after vehicle transport (e.g. by train or ferry or after towing). Recalculation of the GPS position (following an interruption in satellite reception) can take several minutes. A basic position finding routine runs in parallel to the GPS position finding routine that makes it possible to also locate the position of the vehicle if GPS reception fails.

The position finding function consists of the following component functions:

• GPS position finding (as of 01.06.2019 or for vehicles Except Code 355 (Pre-installation for navigation retrofit) and Except Code 531 (COMAND APS)) 
• Basic position finding (as of 01.06.2019 or for vehicles Except Code 355 (Pre-installation for navigation retrofit) and Except Code 531 (COMAND APS)) 

GPS position finding (as of 01.06.2019 or for vehicles Except Code 355 (Pre-installation for navigation retrofit) and Except Code 531 (COMAND APS)) 

The HERMES control unit receives the GPS signals from the GPS antenna.

Additional function requirements for basic position finding (as of 01.06.2019 or for vehicles Except Code 355 (Pre-installation for navigation retrofit) and Except Code 531 (COMAND APS)) 

• Circuit 15 ON

Basic position finding (as of 01.06.2019 or for vehicles Except Code 355 (Pre-installation for navigation retrofit) and Except Code 531 (COMAND APS)) 

The electronic ignition lock control unit sends the status of circuit 15 via diagnostic CAN to the HERMES control unit.

The HERMES control unit requires the following signals for basic position finding:

• Wheel speed and yaw rate signals from the Electronic Stability Program control unit
• Steering wheel angle sensor signal

The Electronic Stability Program control unit sends the wheel speed and yaw rate signals as follows:

Chassis FlexRay →

Electronic ignition lock control unit →

Diagnostic CAN →

HERMES control unit

The steering wheel angle sensor sends the signal as follows:

Steering column tube module control unit →

Chassis FlexRay →

Electronic ignition lock control unit →

Diagnostic CAN →

HERMES control unit

The HERMES control unit uses the data to calculate the current vehicle position (longitude and latitude).

Position finding errors, rolling backwards with "circuit 15 OFF" (ignition switched off) or transport of the vehicle falsify the basic position finding. In both cases, this deviation is automatically corrected on receipt of GPS data.

Forwarding data, data requests, display messages and operating requests 

The HERMES control unit forwards the data queries and operating requests received via the cellular telephone system connection to the Service Center via the diagnostic CAN to the electronic ignition lock control unit, from where they are distributed further according to the respective requests. The HERMES control unit receives vehicle data from the electronic ignition lock control unit via the diagnostic CAN and forwards this data and the data of the integrated position finding module via the cellular telephone system connection to the Service Center in accordance with requirements.

In vehicles with code 506 (Audio 20 radio NTG 5.5) or with code 531 (COMAND APS), Internet data are communicated, e.g. for the IP Radio service, via the wireless local area network (WLAN) from the radio interface of the HERMES control unit via the W-LAN antenna to the head unit.

On vehicles with code 522 (Audio 20 radio), Internet data communication takes place from the Bluetooth® interface of the HERMES control unit via the Bluetooth® antenna to the head unit.

The content shown on the Audio/COMAND display (e.g. pop-up window, vehicle positioning symbol) is forwarded by the HERMES control unit over the following route:

Diagnostic CAN →

Electronic ignition lock control unit →

User interface CAN →

Head unit →

Telematics CAN →

Audio/COMAND display

The control communication (e.g. switch on) is sent by the head unit to the Audio/COMAND display via telematics CAN.

Some messages on the audio/COMAND display can be confirmed with the Audio/COMAND control panel (except code 446 (Touchpad only)) or with the touchpad (with code 446 (Touchpad only) or with code 448 (Touchpad)). The Audio/COMAND control panel or the touchpad sends the signals over the following route:

Telematics CAN →

Head unit →

User interface CAN →

Electronic ignition lock control unit →

Diagnostic CAN →

HERMES control unit

The control signals from the Audio/COMAND control panel are forwarded to the head unit via telematics CAN.

For some services, the status of circuit 15 is taken into consideration. The electronic ignition lock control unit sends the signal via the diagnostic CAN to the HERMES control unit.

	Electrical function schematic for telematics services function		PE82.95-P-2074-97DCA
	Overview of system components, telematics		GF82.85-P-9999FH