In my last car the backup camera came on anytime the car was put in reverse. In my new E, the nav/radio/etc system has to be on - no automatic reverse video. Is everyone's this way?

 

Mine comes on when you put it in reverse. It turns on the screen, but that also means the radio comes on when im backing out

 

yes

 

There is a setting you can set. I do not recall which menu it is in. Very simple to do. Check your Owner's Manual.

 

sometimes

 

I believe only settings you can change on Comand ; under system-settings-reverse camera(or something similar)

 

If you turn your comand system off using the button on the dash (middle of the volume knob), the reverse camera will NOT come on when you shift into reverse.

If you turn your command system off by moving to SYSTEM, then moving to the bottom and turn off the system using your "control mouse", then shifting into reverse will automatically turn on the video (with no radio) and when you shift out of reverse, the display will again go off.

This is not documented anywhere....found by trial and error.

 

I haven't tried the command system settings but on my car if I turn off the display using the button in the center of the volume dial, the display still comes on when I engage reverse. Mine is a Canadian car so perhaps there is some difference to the US models.

 

What use is the backup camera if it doesn't show every time you go into reverse. What could Mercedes programmers have been thinking when they have the feature in the car, but if the system is off, you don't see the rear view.

That's a law suit just waiting to happen....