Dynamic Drive Seats Don't Hold Memory
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 996
Likes: 16
From: Tampa, Florida
2017 E300W
Dynamic Drive Seats Don't Hold Memory
I've been going round and round for almost one year with the dealer as to why Dynamic Drive isn't held in memory.
Well, it's been more than some time since I've complained that, when COMAND memory requires Dynamic Drive seats to be on, it isn't. The dealer cannot account for the seats "timing out." Well, here's the response from the highest level of US MBUSA support in Montvale:
"Hello Techincian,
Drive Dynamic Seats work on a timer. They shut off after approximately 35
minutes in use. Is it possible that every second day as this owner claims
is when he exceeds the 35 minutes of use? The 35 minute period was selected
to avoid the possibility of overheating the system in extreme conditions."
If 35 mins of use were prescribed, why have a "permanent" feature?
Has anyone heard of this?
Well, it's been more than some time since I've complained that, when COMAND memory requires Dynamic Drive seats to be on, it isn't. The dealer cannot account for the seats "timing out." Well, here's the response from the highest level of US MBUSA support in Montvale:
"Hello Techincian,
Drive Dynamic Seats work on a timer. They shut off after approximately 35
minutes in use. Is it possible that every second day as this owner claims
is when he exceeds the 35 minutes of use? The 35 minute period was selected
to avoid the possibility of overheating the system in extreme conditions."
If 35 mins of use were prescribed, why have a "permanent" feature?
Has anyone heard of this?
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 625
Likes: 82
From: Germantown, MD
'07 GL450
Nope. Never heard of it.
My seats maintain memory indefinitely - both with the key inserted and with Keyless Go (two different settings) on both key FOBs, individually. That is, the driver's seat - I've never been able to get the passenger seat to automatically be "on" when occupied by a passenger.
However, recently, I've noticed that, at times, the Drive Dynamics is turned off when I get in the car; pressing the seat memory button (1, 2, or 3) turns it back on though. Also, during long drives, I am often under the impression that the Drive Dynamics are not working, but my thought has been that I had just gotten so accustomed to it that I no longer noticed it (perhaps the dealer performed a software update during my last visit that changed the "permanency" of the feature).
The Owner's Manual (p 108-109 & 156-157) does not reference anything about the Drive Dynamics deactivating after a period of time; the only reference to deactivation is for the massage function (Pulse) which deactivates after approx. 5 minutes.
I'll make a note of this and pick it up with my dealer during my next visit (soon).
My seats maintain memory indefinitely - both with the key inserted and with Keyless Go (two different settings) on both key FOBs, individually. That is, the driver's seat - I've never been able to get the passenger seat to automatically be "on" when occupied by a passenger.
However, recently, I've noticed that, at times, the Drive Dynamics is turned off when I get in the car; pressing the seat memory button (1, 2, or 3) turns it back on though. Also, during long drives, I am often under the impression that the Drive Dynamics are not working, but my thought has been that I had just gotten so accustomed to it that I no longer noticed it (perhaps the dealer performed a software update during my last visit that changed the "permanency" of the feature).
The Owner's Manual (p 108-109 & 156-157) does not reference anything about the Drive Dynamics deactivating after a period of time; the only reference to deactivation is for the massage function (Pulse) which deactivates after approx. 5 minutes.
I'll make a note of this and pick it up with my dealer during my next visit (soon).
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Northern California foothills
Previous: 2004 E500 4Matic Wagon, 2005 SLK 55. Current: 2019 SLC300
Retained for driver only, no shutoff timer
I went round a few times with the dealer about this, too. Bottom line for mine is the same as previous responder, which makes sense since both our cars are the 04 E500. That is, the passenger seat is always turned off when the car is started, regardless of last setting. Passenger seat memory can keep the setting, but your passenger needs to press the memory button to turn it on, every time. Drivers seat remembers last setting, dependent of course on key memory if you switch keys.
I know mine doesn't have a shutoff, at least not less than 90 minutes - I routinely make a drive that long and the dynamic seats work the entire time without intervention during the trip.
I know mine doesn't have a shutoff, at least not less than 90 minutes - I routinely make a drive that long and the dynamic seats work the entire time without intervention during the trip.
Last edited by billh556; Apr 5, 2006 at 10:51 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
On my '04 the Drive dynamic seats always are on. Start the car and be sure you make all your seat/temp/radio/curb side mirror look-down settings, then turn ON the drive dynamic seats and THEN memorize the seat positions for driver 1, 2, & 3 for both keyless go & key in ignition (4 separate operations if you use both black Smartkeys, in & out of the ignition.) I personally make my seat position a little different for the "key in ignition switch" driver 1,2,3 memory, so that I can feel the seat move the next time I go keyless. That way I know my settings have been recognized.
If you only memorize your preference with key in ignition, then when you use keyless go, it will use the last memorized list of settings for that keyless go, which may be different than what you anticipate..
In NO CASE do my drive dynamic seats "time out". How can you overheat an intermittantly operating air compressor? I've been on 6 hour road trips & felt the air bladders inflating & deflating the whole trip.
...Just an aside, make sure you have the bolsters set so that they sort of grip you firmly or they may be inflating & deflating from too far away from your body for you to constantly feel them.
NOTE TO MBUSA: The red indicator lights for the Drive Dynamic Seat On, couldn't have been put in a more inane position. It is impossible to see without getting out of the car on your knees & sticking your head into the footwell. Just like the dash display indicates that the drivers Dynamic Seat has been turned on or off, the passenger's seat on/off should be indicated by the MFD momentarily, too.
If you only memorize your preference with key in ignition, then when you use keyless go, it will use the last memorized list of settings for that keyless go, which may be different than what you anticipate..
In NO CASE do my drive dynamic seats "time out". How can you overheat an intermittantly operating air compressor? I've been on 6 hour road trips & felt the air bladders inflating & deflating the whole trip.
...Just an aside, make sure you have the bolsters set so that they sort of grip you firmly or they may be inflating & deflating from too far away from your body for you to constantly feel them.
NOTE TO MBUSA: The red indicator lights for the Drive Dynamic Seat On, couldn't have been put in a more inane position. It is impossible to see without getting out of the car on your knees & sticking your head into the footwell. Just like the dash display indicates that the drivers Dynamic Seat has been turned on or off, the passenger's seat on/off should be indicated by the MFD momentarily, too.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Apr 5, 2006 at 02:02 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Northern California foothills
Previous: 2004 E500 4Matic Wagon, 2005 SLK 55. Current: 2019 SLC300
Keyless Go is separate?
In the "learn something new every day" department: there are separate memories for key in the ignition and keyless go with that same key in my pocket? Didn't know that.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Originally Posted by billh556
In the "learn something new every day" department: there are separate memories for key in the ignition and keyless go with that same key in my pocket? Didn't know that.
