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Impact of 3G?

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Old Feb 24, 2022 | 08:55 AM
  #1  
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Impact of 3G?

Any updates on the impact of the 3G shut down on us?
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Old Feb 24, 2022 | 09:02 AM
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In terms of what? Are you somehow connected through MBrace? Does anyone still use these antiquated MB information systems?
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Old Feb 24, 2022 | 09:20 AM
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Not sure if W212 ever used 3G for MBrace (or anything else)... 4G was first launched commercially in late 2009 in Stockholm, Sweden and Oslo, Norway.
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Old Feb 24, 2022 | 03:01 PM
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free 4G firmware available...

Originally Posted by LakeLiving97
Any updates on the impact of the 3G shut down on us?
You need to contact your dealer to get your mBrace module firmware updated.


A while ago there was a safety lawsuit that forced MB to enable our cars to report live emergency accidents regardless of mBrace subscription status.

Prior to that judgement, our cars lost all live reporting capabilities as soon as mBrace was not renewed.

In the US mBrace is based on a cellular carrier for connection unlike the live traffic updates that are streamed through payed satellite - I am subscribed to that sce.

The mendatory firmware update is supposed to be complimentary... a diagnostic fee may be charged for the mBrace module to figure the update is free! LOL
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Old Mar 4, 2022 | 12:30 PM
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Was MB 2009 E350 AWD. Now 2016 MB E350 AWD
I called mbrace / MercedesMe app support today about the 3g issue. phone number is 866-990-9007.

The rep said my car (2016 e350 / w212) has a sunset date of Dec 1, 2022. However, they are working on a software update for the TCU(-something box) but would convert the 3G signal to another standard.
For mbrace customers, this over the air update will be free, is still in testing, and more information to come later this summer / early fall.
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Old Mar 4, 2022 | 12:49 PM
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Good information for mBrace customers, thanks.

I no longer have mBrace, so IMA let it slide...
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Old Mar 4, 2022 | 04:24 PM
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Has anybody looked at or even bought the Mercedes Me app? I wonder how it would work on cars our age.

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Old Mar 4, 2022 | 06:41 PM
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Originally Posted by strife
Has anybody looked at or even bought the Mercedes Me app? I wonder how it would work on cars our age.
I had purchased it for 6 months. I have a 2010 e350. The only thing I liked about it was that you can use the built-in SOS button for the emergency calls, the automatic collision notification, and the stolen vehicle location assistance. The remote lock/unlock feature was dumb b/c in order for it to work, once you unlock from the Mercedes ME app, you have to go to the trunk and do some procedure where you press and hold the open trunk button from the outside for like 60 seconds. Then you will hear the door locks open. Also, remote start feature doesn’t work b/c our cars were not equipped with that feature. Features like Send2Benz I think are useless because of the big advancements we have now in Nav’s like Google maps. Aside from that, I bought a remote starter (Drone Mobile) which starts the car, locks/unlocks the doors, open the trunk, tracks the vehicle, all from anywhere in the world. Plus, I added the android screen (apple car play for google maps/Waze). So with all of this, the Mercedes’ Me is almost not worth the $300 for 18 months. But I do like the collision detection feature of it.
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Old Mar 6, 2022 | 01:45 PM
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Was MB 2009 E350 AWD. Now 2016 MB E350 AWD
I love the app for a few features.
1) phone notifications when the car is driven after a specific time or out of a radius.
2) remote unlock & lock. Useful after laying down in bed or in a store / restaurant & making sure the car is locked.
3 Send to Benz GPS feature. Since I use the car’s nav, I like this easily way to an address & POIs.

Originally Posted by strife
Has anybody looked at or even bought the Mercedes Me app? I wonder how it would work on cars our age.
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Old Mar 7, 2022 | 04:40 AM
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I read the thread title and think a 3g accident (3 times body weight) am I the only engineer here?
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Old Mar 8, 2022 | 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by ygmn
I read the thread title and think a 3g accident (3 times body weight) am I the only engineer here?
Or am I just giving away how long I've been involved in IT by admitting that my first thought was "Sheesh! 3G is a nothing impact to a solid state disk drive."?
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Old Mar 8, 2022 | 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by ygmn
I read the thread title and think a 3g accident (3 times body weight) am I the only engineer here?
Haha. Yes, I also first thought of g force. I used to manage seat belt test labs, so I'm very accustomed to thinking in acceleration when someone refers to g.
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Old Mar 8, 2022 | 08:55 PM
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Originally Posted by pb39374
I had purchased it for 6 months. I have a 2010 e350. The only thing I liked about it was that you can use the built-in SOS button for the emergency calls, the automatic collision notification, and the stolen vehicle location assistance. The remote lock/unlock feature was dumb b/c in order for it to work, once you unlock from the Mercedes ME app, you have to go to the trunk and do some procedure where you press and hold the open trunk button from the outside for like 60 seconds. Then you will hear the door locks open.
Not remotely true at all. The Keyless Go feature unlocks my car the same, whether locked at the car or remotely via mBrace.

And no, remote start doesn't work on our W212s.
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Old Mar 9, 2022 | 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by DFWdude
Not remotely true at all. The Keyless Go feature unlocks my car the same, whether locked at the car or remotely via mBrace.

And no, remote start doesn't work on our W212s.
it’s true for my 2010. I don’t have Keyless Go. And I know remote start doesn’t work through Mercedes’Me, that’s why I added Drone Mobile remote starter a few years ago.

Last edited by pb39374; Mar 9, 2022 at 03:54 PM.
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Old May 25, 2022 | 10:28 AM
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Was MB 2009 E350 AWD. Now 2016 MB E350 AWD
New update. Mercedes sure changed their mind. I will call them later about what exactly the Verizon Hum option is and if the MB all will still be used.

Thank you for being a Mercedes-Benz mbrace® subscriber.

This letter is to inform you that the wireless carrier which supports your vehicle's mbrace services in the United States will retire their 3G network in 2022. All features of Mercedes-Benz mbrace, including Automatic Collision Notification1, Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance2 and SOS/Emergency Call3, will no longer be active starting 12/01/2022.

The telematics communication module which operates the mbrace service in your vehicle will become obsolete; however, we have teamed up with Verizon Wireless, our mbrace partner, to offer an OBD (On-board diagnostics) dongle as an alternative solution. The Hum by Verizon device plugs into your vehicle's OBD diagnostic port to offer similar services as mbrace.

Please click here to learn how to stay connected with Hum.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. More information about the 3G retirement can be found here. If you have any questions, please reach out to mbrace Customer Care at 866.990.9007.

Sincerely,
Mercedes-Benz mbrace”
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Old May 25, 2022 | 12:01 PM
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I just called Mercedes Mbrace. The rep told me the Verizon 3G Hum replacement email pasted above was sent in error. They do not currently endorse / promote a 3rd party product. The rep also stated to do nothing and customers will hear something soon.
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Old Jun 22, 2022 | 07:11 PM
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We out of luck in the US. However, the UK gets this Mercedes Me Adapter:

⁣Experience Connectivity (mercedes-benz.co.uk)



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Old Aug 23, 2022 | 05:44 PM
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I wonder if we could buy that and use it here?
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Old Aug 26, 2022 | 10:51 AM
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If you look at that Mercedes Me adapter information, you will find out all that it does is connect via bluetooth to your phone to get important information such as when your next service is due. It does not have any cellular connectivity, no remote unlock/lock, no crash detection or stolen vehicle tracking...just a bluetooth dongle that plugs into your OBD2 port.
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Old Aug 29, 2022 | 05:18 PM
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When 3G is shut down, that's it. Game over. Your 3G phone will read No Service as if you're in a dead zone, cause you will be.
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Old Sep 20, 2022 | 08:50 AM
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Did anyone receive a letter from Mercedes M-Brace / Me yesterday? My Post Office lost the letter. .
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Old Sep 20, 2022 | 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by ygmn
I read the thread title and think a 3g accident (3 times body weight) am I the only engineer here?
First thing I thought: "Max Verstappen's accident on opening lap of the 2021 British GP was 51Gs. 3Gs is nothing"
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Old Sep 20, 2022 | 02:37 PM
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Originally Posted by jaisonline
Did anyone receive a letter from Mercedes M-Brace / Me yesterday? My Post Office lost the letter. .
Got one yesterday. I been wanting to call and ask for a credit for October as the system was down for a while this month from what I can tell. Couldn't use at all plus the "Locate Vehicle" feature never works for me..
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Old Sep 20, 2022 | 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by E55 KEV
Got one yesterday. I been wanting to call and ask for a credit for October as the system was down for a while this month from what I can tell. Couldn't use at all plus the "Locate Vehicle" feature never works for me..
May I ask what was in the letter? Was it just that they were discontinuing the service?
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Old Sep 20, 2022 | 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by nightspd
May I ask what was in the letter? Was it just that they were discontinuing the service?
Yes Sir. A letter stating the MBRACE 3G service and features will end December 01 2022.
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