The app looks to be back to normal...icons are there...but my car won't remote start. I get a failure notice within about 2 seconds of hitting the start icon.

 

I've been trying something differently when remote starting using the Mercedes me app, and so far I'm 3 for 3.

Once I'm in, I first select "Connect" at the bottom, and then hit the remote start button from that page instead of what I was doing before which was just hitting the remote start button from the home page.

 

Just checked my app - the START button is there, but will not use it in the future after what happened with me earlier. See my message above.

 

This thread was a good reminder to myself that my free 6 month subscription to mbrace Secure was ending soon...so instead of having it self-renew and show up as a charge on my credit card (mandatory to give in order to first activate mbrace), I called up mbrace at 1-866-990-9007 and told them I'd like to cancel my mbrace Secure service when my free subscription expires.

What I didn't anticipate was the hard sell I received from the service rep. First a story on how the system personally saved the life of this "rep" when they suffered a heart attach while on a car trip, then a discount on the asking price of $199 per year...$200 something out to 18 months, then a story about how they've been having server issues last week.

I basically told them that until Mercedes gets their act together and makes mbrace at least more reliable, I refuse to pay for additional services like mbrace Secure. Her demeanor then became very abrupt, read me a "scare" statement that mbrace Secure would no longer call out for help automatically if I'm ever in a bad accident, then she gave me the date the service would end and a confirmation number.

Maybe if enough mbrace customers did the same and cancelled their extra pay accounts, Mercedes would move faster to bring mbrace into the 21st century making it more reliable, faster, and give it more features like turning the window/outside mirror defrosters on during a cold morning remote start...like American & Japanese vehicles have done for years.

 

App is working again today. So, how long do I have this remote start feature before I have to pay for it?

 

5 years for free mbrace (remote start)

6 months for mbrace Secure

3 months for Mercedes apps & WiFi

 

APP is working again all is back to normal, glad it wasn't just me. I agree with another poster about not paying extra for their mbrace. I'm not gonna pay $200 a year for a service that has issues.

 

Mine has not been working the past 2 days. Just called MBrace and they said the entire system is down. WTF!!! it's gonna be -8 in the morning when I head out the door.

And about 3 days ago, the starter icon was missing as other people experienced, but hours later, it returned. This is just unbelievable.

 

Lol what problems the privileged face eh?

 

Guys, quick question. I'm relatively new here and just got my C300 2.5 weeks ago. I've never had a car of this caliber and to be honest, never thought I'd ever be able to own an MB when I was younger. I think it's a blessing/honor/privilege to own such a wonderful car with such a prestigious legacy.

That being said, I understand there are some inconveniences like the MB app not working. Don't we put this in the same category as when we don't have mobile phone service or the internet router goes out at our house? I mean, **** happens right? Until MB have their own dedicated satellite with the 3-prong star logo circling the Earth, I think there will be outages here and there with this kind of service. Correct me if I'm wrong on this, but this app is subject to the same glitches as other technology in this day and age (I don't work in IT, so I honestly don't know, but this is my understanding). Happy Holidays to all, by the way.

 

+1

 

Congrats on the new car! While I love your humble approach the fact of the matter is a clunky unreliable feature is unbecoming of a Mercedes. The brand prides itself in being a cut above the rest and for the prices we (the customers) pay we expect "The Best or Nothing". When you have Hyundai's working more reliably (remote start wise) that is not a good look for Mercedes.

MASS answered with his wallet and other consumers should do the same. They don't owe Mercedes anything.

To me every automaker is in the Stone Age compared to Tesla, who have perfected Over The Air software updates that ADD FEATURES FOR FREE (what a f4king concept). They have a much more capable and reliable infotainment system than anything on the market. Any owner I've ever spoken to has had nothing but great things to say about it.

 

If the temp ever got as low as 3 degrees F in the morning in your neck of the woods, you'd be pissed if your remote start didn't work too.

 

I don't understand why the remote start needs some sort of global network connectivity to begin with. Seems like it should be a local transaction between the remote and the car (like I believe is the case for Honda, Buick, etc.). This problem reminds me of trying to get Siri to set the timer on my iPhone. I was trying to do that in a space without web access, so it wouldn't work. Why do I need to have web access to get one basic function on my phone to operate another? We aren't anywhere near being in the universe of robust, secure, 100% web connectivity, so why are MB (and Apple) programming their products as though we are?

 

Has anyone found a way to remote start the car, and then get into it and drive without the engine turning off? I feel like starting the car twice is going to cause unnecessary wear on the starter... Am I completely paranoid about damaging the car? I usually keep my cars for about 100,000mi and would like to preserve it the best I can.

 

Siri is a massive database of canned responses, way too massive to be stored locally on your device. Instead she lives on Apples servers, hence the need for an internet connection.

One way or another, odds are you'll be replacing that starter at least once over 100k miles anyway. I'd just enjoy the convenience of remote starts and not sweat it.

 

New car, on the app there is an unlock feature, but no sign of remote start. Taking back to dealer who said they have to run diagnostics. Does this just seem like a glitch and not much to worry about? I am little worried, the car is a week old. It's a 2017 so the remote start is a given.

 

Issue with app not car.

 

It is a stupid design, but I believe it was an afterthought through the app, and hence why it works that way. Yes, I believe you are being paranoid. Each start does work the starter, but in this day of auto start/stop, everyone's starters are much heavier duty, and designed for a lot more work than they used to. IF you take a few 4 trips a day, and auto start/top works 6 times on each one, that is 24 starts a day. Your extra 1-4 remote starts aren't going to mean that much.

What? This isn't the 1970's. Was the S-class known for starter issues? Can't remember the last time I replaced a starter or even noticed it occurring for anyone. Just checked the w204 forum, going back to 2014, and there isn't a single post about someone replacing a starter. Would think we would hear more about it, if it was a problem.

I'm sure some manufacturer will have issues with the auto start/stop at some point, but don't know that I would "count" on it. Totally agree with the "just enjoy it" part though

 

new to site... but thank you.

 

Have complained to MB USA about this. I am sure it is falling on deaf ears. By far, the dumbest thing I have ever seen.

 

I completely agree that we should not have to turn the car off, only to jump in and turn it back on. But it is not unique (that doesn't make it right!).

We used to have a 2013 Acura MDX and it worked pretty much the same way. The Acura had remote start via the key fob, which I would vastly prefer over having to deal with the brutally slow app.

 

Remote start not working here. Had the car for 10 days, tried remote start about 50 times, worked 2 or 3 times.

Called app customer service, got:
- first rep: we are working on it, there is a communication problem, call us back later
- second rep (half an hour later), we are working on it, we have been having problems with the system, should be back by the end of the week

My impression: just crap to keep us going...

 

Not working for us today either in both cars. Remote start is not overly important to me. But the fact that this is so poor is inexcusable.

 

Mine hasn't worked all weekend. . . During the snow storm.