lol 
12v outlet no longer in glove compartment?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 491
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From: Irvine, CA, USA
Tesla
12v outlet no longer in glove compartment?
I was searching for a location to plug in a 12v accessory and found posts mentioning people using the 12v plug inside glove compartment. I looked and looked but couldn't find one in our car, except what looks like a covered up hole on the right side. Peeking through the side opening confirms nothing is wired to the back.
I couldn't tap into other 12v sources since this accessory has a built in step down voltage regulator in the plug, and thus need to be plugged into the cigarette lighter type of port.
Does this plug in glove compartment require some option we didn't get, or was it a victim of cost savings in the 2012's?
I couldn't tap into other 12v sources since this accessory has a built in step down voltage regulator in the plug, and thus need to be plugged into the cigarette lighter type of port.
Does this plug in glove compartment require some option we didn't get, or was it a victim of cost savings in the 2012's?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 491
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From: Irvine, CA, USA
Tesla
Yes I know that, as well as the one in trunk. But the wire run is way too long to those locations from the windshield.
K-A does your 2011 have a plug in the glove compartment?
K-A does your 2011 have a plug in the glove compartment?
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Hmm, I'll check mine and let you know. I'm out of town 'till Friday. I have the optional 115V outlet and as far as I know that one is only at the rear (next to the 12V).
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From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
Mine has...the cigarette lighter outlet,an outlet in the back seat,one in the trunk and one in the glove compartment...in the upper right IIRC (but can't recall for sure).I don't have a 115v outlet.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Ahh, the old "cost cut minor details every MY" trick. Just in time for the facelift. You want to get in on a little secret? For every big thing they improve on a facelift, there are several little things they cost cut out, that most non-car-savvy's won't notice. The W211 is a great example. Lots of little things were cost cut for the facelift, to coincide with the obvious several improvements.
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From: Jax Beach
2011 E350
Hate to thread highjack but it hasn't been posted to in awhile and seemed somewhat on topic.
So this may be a dumb question but a quick search didn't reveal any quick answers. I have a 2011 e350 P1.. is the only port available in my car the "proprietary" MB port in the glove box. I haven't seen a USB port at all. The owners manual would lead you to believe that one should be in the glove box but I am not seeing it. I'd rather not have to pony up the 25 bucks for an adapter if I don't have to.
So this may be a dumb question but a quick search didn't reveal any quick answers. I have a 2011 e350 P1.. is the only port available in my car the "proprietary" MB port in the glove box. I haven't seen a USB port at all. The owners manual would lead you to believe that one should be in the glove box but I am not seeing it. I'd rather not have to pony up the 25 bucks for an adapter if I don't have to.
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Joined: May 2008
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Mercedes e350 BlueTec
Hate to thread highjack but it hasn't been posted to in awhile and seemed somewhat on topic.
So this may be a dumb question but a quick search didn't reveal any quick answers. I have a 2011 e350 P1.. is the only port available in my car the "proprietary" MB port in the glove box. I haven't seen a USB port at all. The owners manual would lead you to believe that one should be in the glove box but I am not seeing it. I'd rather not have to pony up the 25 bucks for an adapter if I don't have to.
So this may be a dumb question but a quick search didn't reveal any quick answers. I have a 2011 e350 P1.. is the only port available in my car the "proprietary" MB port in the glove box. I haven't seen a USB port at all. The owners manual would lead you to believe that one should be in the glove box but I am not seeing it. I'd rather not have to pony up the 25 bucks for an adapter if I don't have to.
Last edited by ghstudio; Jul 24, 2013 at 04:43 PM.
Senior Member
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2011 E550, 2008 SL55 AMG
If your car is like mine (02/11 build) there is no USB port in the glove box - you have to buy an adapter cable that connects to the (oddball) proprietary M-B port.
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From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
Weren't the USB/iPod and 12 volt socket moved to the center console? My 2011 had them in the glove box, but, a recent drive in a 2013 loaner, I noticed they had moved this from the glove box to the center console.
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Mercedes e350 BlueTec
The plugs were moved from the glove box to the center console in July 2011 on the 2011's as a running change, in concert with installing comand 4.5 because they ran out of comand 4.0 parts.
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Nice to have an older 2010 model. I have the 12 V and MB connection in the glove box just like I had in my early 2011 model. I have the standard cable for the iPhone that came with the car and I purchased a cable with USB to connect in the glove box.
With these connections I can just connect my phone and leave it in the glove box as I don't use the phone for texting or email while driving.
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2011 E350 Bluetech
Nice to have an older 2010 model. I have the 12 V and MB connection in the glove box just like I had in my early 2011 model. I have the standard cable for the iPhone that came with the car and I purchased a cable with USB to connect in the glove box.
With these connections I can just connect my phone and leave it in the glove box as I don't use the phone for texting or email while driving.
With these connections I can just connect my phone and leave it in the glove box as I don't use the phone for texting or email while driving.
With his ipod adapter but no usb slot. Mine was manufactured in august 2011 and does not have the power supply in the glovebox. I do have a usb
Port and ipad adapter in the center console.
Last edited by tdisedanman; Nov 10, 2013 at 06:53 PM.
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
My brother in law and I just got two CPO 2011 E350 bluetecs. His was manufactred in sept 2010 and has the power adapter in the glovebox along
With his ipod adapter but no usb slot. Mine was manufactured in august 2011 and does not have the power supply in the glovebox. I do have a usb
Port and ipad adapter in the center console.
With his ipod adapter but no usb slot. Mine was manufactured in august 2011 and does not have the power supply in the glovebox. I do have a usb
Port and ipad adapter in the center console.
For this part your car is a 2012 model, perhaps the whole car is but was sold as a 2011.
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2014 W212 E350 4M
I used the jack in the glove compartment to power my V1 radar detector. The power conductors leave via the right side of the glove box door. The power wire is concealed behind the trim on the A pillar post, under the trim at the top of the windshield and comes out near the rear view mirror. The pigtail for the detector stores behind the passenger side second visor. V1 stores in the glove compartment. Plug the pigtail into the V1, clip onto the driver's side visor leveled out so the antennas can see fore and aft and plug in the power in the glove box. Done. Takes less time than telling about it.
This entire wiring procedure required no drilling, removal or cutting of anything. A popsicle stick or comb tucks the power wire behind the trim.
The jack in the glove compartment was very handy for my purposes.
This entire wiring procedure required no drilling, removal or cutting of anything. A popsicle stick or comb tucks the power wire behind the trim.
The jack in the glove compartment was very handy for my purposes.
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Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Charlotte, NC
2014 E350 4M Diamond Silver
reviving an old thread 
Did I read a 12v socket in the trunk?
I have cigarette lighter package, so, a 12V below the radio.
1. Then a 12V below the air vents for the rear seat passengers(is that 115V by default?).
2. Where do I find the 3rd 12v socket in the trunk. Is that still available for 2014 Facelifted W212 or it got removed completely?
Planning to add this to the car, for that occasional use. Even though the front 12V will be enough, soon it'll be used for the DashCam, dedicated.
http://www.amazon.com/Foval-Power-In...ustomerReviews
And for the cellphone charging, I'm using the dedicated (to this car) iPhone charging cable with the USB port inside the center glove box.
Thanks.
Did I read a 12v socket in the trunk?
I have cigarette lighter package, so, a 12V below the radio.
1. Then a 12V below the air vents for the rear seat passengers(is that 115V by default?).
2. Where do I find the 3rd 12v socket in the trunk. Is that still available for 2014 Facelifted W212 or it got removed completely?
Planning to add this to the car, for that occasional use. Even though the front 12V will be enough, soon it'll be used for the DashCam, dedicated.
http://www.amazon.com/Foval-Power-In...ustomerReviews
And for the cellphone charging, I'm using the dedicated (to this car) iPhone charging cable with the USB port inside the center glove box.
Thanks.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 998
Likes: 136
From: VA
W212 E-class, W211 E-class, F10 5-Series
reviving an old thread
Did I read a 12v socket in the trunk?
I have cigarette lighter package, so, a 12V below the radio.
1. Then a 12V below the air vents for the rear seat passengers(is that 115V by default?).
2. Where do I find the 3rd 12v socket in the trunk. Is that still available for 2014 Facelifted W212 or it got removed completely?
Planning to add this to the car, for that occasional use. Even though the front 12V will be enough, soon it'll be used for the DashCam, dedicated.
www.amazon.com/Foval-Power-Inverter-Converter-Charger/dp/B01KT26D68/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495729950&sr=8-1&keywords=12v+to+power+outlet#customerReviews
And for the cellphone charging, I'm using the dedicated (to this car) iPhone charging cable with the USB port inside the center glove box.
Thanks.
Did I read a 12v socket in the trunk?
I have cigarette lighter package, so, a 12V below the radio.
1. Then a 12V below the air vents for the rear seat passengers(is that 115V by default?).
2. Where do I find the 3rd 12v socket in the trunk. Is that still available for 2014 Facelifted W212 or it got removed completely?
Planning to add this to the car, for that occasional use. Even though the front 12V will be enough, soon it'll be used for the DashCam, dedicated.
www.amazon.com/Foval-Power-Inverter-Converter-Charger/dp/B01KT26D68/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495729950&sr=8-1&keywords=12v+to+power+outlet#customerReviews
And for the cellphone charging, I'm using the dedicated (to this car) iPhone charging cable with the USB port inside the center glove box.
Thanks.
I think they removed our charger from the glove box. The 3rd 12v charger in the trunk is on the sidewall, near the net and cubby opening.
That adapter is handy, but make sure to unplug it when you exit the vehicle.
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,190
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From: Charlotte, NC
2014 E350 4M Diamond Silver
yes, they have USB and another PCI cable(that topic is for another day).
gotta look there properly.
Not sure I did the test correctly, but the lighter socket doesn't draw power when the car is off / lock the doors and walk away.
The 3rd 12v charger in the trunk is on the sidewall, near the net and cubby opening.
That adapter is handy, but make sure to unplug it when you exit the vehicle.
