VD$

Guys,

Does anyone know how to unlock new features from 2009 model (like Instant fuel consumption bar) on Speedo display for 2008? I think my unit was reflashed during last service and wondered how to get to hidden features and menus.

C300Sport

I am taking mine in for it's 1K-3K service next week. What would the reflash improve/add? Does the dealer automatically reflash or do you have to request it?

VD$

I'm not sure you can request a reflash, but you may compain that you have transmission lag (slow start) - this will trigger TCU and ECU reflash etc...

delirium

i told the dealer about a transmission lag & they still did nothing for me that was software flash related...

VD$

The only way I can explain is that you have relatively new car and this bug was fixed on the factory. Mine was build in Nov 2007 and had almost all possible bugs of the first year model :-)

RLE

Whatchoomean? You have instant fuel consumption on your 2008 now. Press the down arrow on the left button field which then displays "since start". press OK and then reset it.

RLE

I don't know where this term "reflash" came from but it's not one that the dealer uses. Telematics Update is MB speak for updating to the latest firmware. And it takes about 90 minutes. The tech plugs his laptop into the car, loads the update disc, and goes on line to Germany where the car is identified by VIN which reveals how it is equipped and then every electronic device in the car is updated to the latest version. Progress bars are displayed on the nav screen, just like loading new software in your computer.

My car was updated ten days ago because my backup camera could not be enabled and the update solved the problem. One difference I noticed right away was when using Sirius, when there is no signal (in the garage for example) the screen message now reads "No Service." This is in a Multimedia package.

VD$

This screen shows average since reset/start. New 2009 model has another screen with horizontal bar telling you how bad is your driving right now.

RLE

And resetting "since start" when on the move gives "right now" fuel consumption. I've seen that bar on photos of the Blue Efficiency diesel.

VD$

Mine went though the same 2 days ago. S/W that was loading from Germany (this is my guess!) is the same for all W204 cars (will be too costly to keep so many versions). The only difference is in config parameters. These parameters are loaded initially from Germany, but can be altered by tech here (you car was not build with the camera and this feature was enabled in the Engineering Menu). So, I suspect that there are other options available that are S/W dependant and does not require new H/W. The question remains - do I need a code to it (like Engineering Menu) or some "creative" tech with the laptop?

VD$

True, but you have reset it every few minutes...

joshg1001

lol i didnt know that it wasnt available on the 08. very interesting

RLE

All of the cars are "country coded" so that features not certified for a particular country cannot be turned on by anybody, such as flashing brake lights. And the required disc as supplied by MBUSA to each dealer does not include non-certified features.

As to enabling with the engineering menu in my car, all looked OK in the system and engineering menus but the feature was inop until the update. There is no way you can do a DIY update but since it's covered by warranty, why would you?

lx Raven xl

The fuel consumption bar only comes in the Blue Efficiency models. Its a new feature for those car becuse they are ment to be fuel efficient and this bar helps you drive more efficiently. Since Blue efficiency comes only in manual the car also tells you when to shift the gear for optimized fuel ussage.

TRauppius

My 2009 C350W (US Spec) has an instantaneous fuel consumption/mileage display. It is under the Trip menu and is accessed by pressing the down button on the steering wheel successively past the default Trip/odometer, Since Start, and Since Reset displays.

It has a horizontal moving graphic bar of instantaneous MPG plus a miles to empty calculation displayed alongside a fixed fuel pump graphic. The "to empty" display appears to dynamically factor in current fuel consumption rate, fuel on board, AND recent driving style (longer term fuel usage patterns) as part of the projected range to empty.

I don't know if this is a 2009 or US peculiar display, but it is fun to watch and appears quite sensitive as you can see the MPG change with A/C on/off and windows open/close etc.

VD$

I saw this screen on 2009 model with auto. So it seems to be standard for all cars in the US. This is fantastic feature - I used to have it on SAAB and it help a lot to optimize driving habits

Ape

I don't think we have that bar on the C63, I have not found it under any menu. I guess that car sucks gas so fast that the bar would always be done at zero anyways

rb23lb

PLEASE POST A PIC. I do not have this on my 2008. I am not sure what all you people with o8's see, but i do not have this... no "bar" is available on 08

nyca

The 2009s have this for sure.

VD$

Can someone post a link to 2009 user manual (pdf) ? We can find it (and other cool features) there...

Egonvdv

i have the bar on my 2008.

VD$

Egonvdv,

Did you do something special to enable it? Where is it in the menu? Can you post an photo?

Petje

Really???? I want the bar also, was it standard in your car? Or done by the dealer??

So thats the bar like this:

theinmoe

I think 2008 CDI came with the bar. Look like it also shows the current gear ^5 in the picture.

VD$

Strange. looks like European 2008 models came equipped with this feature and US model are so well "Country Coded" that we do not have this feature, cannot change temperature to Celsius (W203 has this option) etc....nice work MBUSA!