mis3

My friend is picking up a new MB in a few days. The salesman offered him a feature that for $25CAN per month, MB can locate the car for him in case of thief.

Since his car is fully loaded, he must have GPS. What so special about this service?

Yidney

Every car, MB or not, with Nav has GPS, but I don't think that allows the car to be located. It does allow a thief to know where he is in your car though! I'd ask about the coverage though. The original owner put LowJack in my car, but it only works where there is LowJack coverage - basically in cities. Take my car to your farm and I'll never find it.

Nanook

The Compustart with the Drone module add on (allows iphone start) also has an option to track the vehicle, speed etc..cell area coverage only tho

mis3

Not sure what is this Compustart.

The car he ordered is 2015 S550, fully loaded (lucky guy).

Nanook

Remote start device

mis3

I read the MB does not make remote-starter in their vehicles and there are only a few third party remote starters which would work with MB.

The salesman did not say anything about remote starter. He just mentioned a service to locate the car for $25 per month.

Since his car is fully loaded, I am sure Keyless Go is already included.

Rudeney

The car should have the mBrace (formerly TeleAid) telematics system installed. Check the overhead control panel for an "SOS" button. This is MBZ's version of the ubiquitous OnStar system from GM. It uses a cellular phone and GPS system built into the vehicle (this is totally unrelated to any personal cell phone hand-free connection or COMAND navigation system). You can use it to track a stolen vehicle, and it will also automatically call for help if an airbag or seatbelt pretensioner is deployed. You can even pay a bit extra and get concierge service with live operator guidance. It is about $250/year. Sometimes MBUSA makes special offers fro "lifetime" activation for $350 or so.

Note that even though the system is capable of tracking the vehicle at any time, MBZ only does it if the vehicle is stolen and a police report is filed. And then they only report the location to the police. I installed an aftermarket system in the kid's C240 so I could track her for safety and "parental concerns". I paid $250 for it and it costs me $170/year. I can track it any time I want and it maintains a breadcrumb trail in 5-minute increments. It's fro ScyTrak.net.

tw2

Haha does she know?

Nanook

It's not a proprietary MB starter..as I say it's from Compustar and works very well...the Drone module is an add on for iphone access and this is where the tracking service comes in...through cell coverage.

mis3

Strange that MB, as a luxury brand, does not offer this remote start option. Security reason?

Nanook

I don't know why but MB is adament we as owners are not to mess with their goods...I recently picked up my ML from it's "b" service and there are several notes like:
-owner has aftermarket air filter installed which may have warranty implications..
-owner has a remote start system that "
-owner has numerous accessories installed (detector/jammer/phone/camera/) that ""

They are certain it is on record that anything out of the ordinary is documented...they don't mandate removal but they advise and the SA stressed they do not recommend....
How the hell can they expect us to live in a winter envirement as I do without a f*&^%$ car starter...sorry MB but when it's -40 outside I'll take my chances and have a warm vehicle as/when I please...

Rudeney

@TW2: Yes, she knows. We told her the first time she took the car at age 16 when we found her somewhere she shouldn't be.

@Nanook: They make these things called "garages"...

Nanook

I have a garage but when you're flying in from say Vegas in the butt of winter and it's -40 I can pre-start my car from Vegas or the local airport upon landing and some airlined even in the plane..trust me I know

ChrisPSR

Can you tell me whether the Pretensioners are electronically tied into the cars logic system and are they electronically handed. I ask this last question as I believe that physically there is no difference in design therefore for Drivers side renewal purposes do I need a 1] pretensioner or 2] a L or RH pretensioner.

ChrisPSR. Car CLK320 W209 Coupe of 2003

Rudeney

The emergency tensioner device in the CLK is a pressurized gas cylinder, much like what is used for the airbags. It's built into the seat belt retractor. It is tied to the SRS control unit, which is then tied into TeleAid/mBrace, so I suspect it would trigger an emergency call if deployed.

beejAMG

2015 S550 and worries if he should get a $25/month car locator service.