Waving your Hand to Open the Sunroof?
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2024 E350
Waving your Hand to Open the Sunroof?
So I was looking through the owner's manual and found a page discussing the MBUX Interior Assistant. I posted the link below to the page in the online owner's manual and if you scroll down you'll see a video that explains what I'm talking about.
At 01:31 in the video it mentions that if you hold your hand underneath the rearview mirror and move your hand back the sensor is supposed to open the sunshade (without touching any buttons). If you do the same wave with your hand it's supposed to open the sunroof.
I've never gotten this to work on my car.
Does anyone know if this feature is disabled in the US?
And yes, I have the setting turned ON for the Interior Assistant. Some of the other features mentioned in the video work for me, but I've never gotten the sunblind or sunroof to open using the hand gesture mentioned in the video.
https://www.mbusa.com/en/owners/manu...rior-assistant
Also, if I use the voice command to open the sunshade it works, but if I ask it to open the sunroof it says, "Sorry, I am unable to perform that function due to restrictions in your country" or something to that effect.
At 01:31 in the video it mentions that if you hold your hand underneath the rearview mirror and move your hand back the sensor is supposed to open the sunshade (without touching any buttons). If you do the same wave with your hand it's supposed to open the sunroof.
I've never gotten this to work on my car.
Does anyone know if this feature is disabled in the US?
And yes, I have the setting turned ON for the Interior Assistant. Some of the other features mentioned in the video work for me, but I've never gotten the sunblind or sunroof to open using the hand gesture mentioned in the video.
https://www.mbusa.com/en/owners/manu...rior-assistant
Also, if I use the voice command to open the sunshade it works, but if I ask it to open the sunroof it says, "Sorry, I am unable to perform that function due to restrictions in your country" or something to that effect.
Last edited by jumpman726; Oct 14, 2025 at 12:15 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 971
Likes: 182
From: DFW, TX
2014 E350 Wagon, 2025 GLC 350e, 2026 E53 Wagon
So I did a bit of ChatGPT search and there does not appear to be a federal ban on switchless operation of windows and partitions. The guidance merely requires the remote to be within 6ft and if there is a switch it has to pull up/out to close and if it can remote close it has to have pinch detection and reversal capability. That's it.
I suspect this is some legal remnant of some litigation where someone sued a manufacturer and now we can't have nice things. I remember that I had to code remote window open on a Volkswagen back as old as 2000 where the feature was locked out in the US.
This is another one of those things where the US is severely lacking behind the ROW.
Having said that, it's extremely frustrating that MBUSA chooses to be lazy and not specify what is and isn't available on US bound cars. They, of all people, should know since they're the ones asking for the restrictions/de-contenting of the car. If we lived in an isolated bubble where we had no access to information we wouldn't have FOMO we'd just assume this is how it is. But with the vague documentation and the ability to compare notes with European owners it's just pure stupid to not be more correct and public with the information.
I don't assume that it's done out of malice, it's just simple incompetence on MBUSA's part.
I suspect this is some legal remnant of some litigation where someone sued a manufacturer and now we can't have nice things. I remember that I had to code remote window open on a Volkswagen back as old as 2000 where the feature was locked out in the US.
This is another one of those things where the US is severely lacking behind the ROW.
Having said that, it's extremely frustrating that MBUSA chooses to be lazy and not specify what is and isn't available on US bound cars. They, of all people, should know since they're the ones asking for the restrictions/de-contenting of the car. If we lived in an isolated bubble where we had no access to information we wouldn't have FOMO we'd just assume this is how it is. But with the vague documentation and the ability to compare notes with European owners it's just pure stupid to not be more correct and public with the information.
I don't assume that it's done out of malice, it's just simple incompetence on MBUSA's part.
Thread Starter
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2024 E350
Come to think of it, in terms of cabin gestures none of them work anymore.
I can adjust the side mirrors just by looking at the one I want to adjust, but that isn't a cabin gesture.
Really strange and disappointed that Mercedes disabled the cabin gestures.
At least I can still use voice control to activate/deactivate most of the functions.
SIDE NOTE: I don't know if this makes a difference with the gesture features not working, but when I'm in the car I am NOT logged in to my Mercedes profile. Maybe the gesture features don't work unless a user is logged in?
Last edited by jumpman726; Oct 15, 2025 at 10:30 AM.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
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Posts: 308
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2024 E350
Here's a list of some of the voice commands that Google's AI found:
Climate control and comfort
"Hey Mercedes, I'm cold" or "Make it cooler"
"Hey Mercedes, turn the seat heating to level 2"
"Hey Mercedes, I would like to set the ambient light to blue"
"Hey Mercedes, turn on the reading lamp"
"Hey Mercedes, open all the windows"
Navigation
"Hey Mercedes, navigate to [address]"
"Hey Mercedes, navigate to the nearest coffee shop"
"Hey Mercedes, show my route"
"Hey Mercedes, cancel route guidance"
Media and radio
"Hey Mercedes, play some relaxing music"
"Hey Mercedes, call up the next radio station"
"Hey Mercedes, save the radio station"
"Hey Mercedes, show the radio station list"
Vehicle information and settings
"Hey Mercedes, tell me my next service appointment"
"Hey Mercedes, how fast can I drive here?"
"Hey Mercedes, do I have Blind Spot Assist?"
"Hey Mercedes, what is MBUX?"
"Hey Mercedes, how do I connect my smartphone?"
"Hey Mercedes, what is DISTRONIC?"
Phone
"Hey Mercedes, call [contact name]"
"Hey Mercedes, call last number"
"Hey Mercedes, read out message"
General commands
"Hey Mercedes, go back"
"Hey Mercedes, show recent apps"
"Hey Mercedes, show notifications"
Climate control and comfort
"Hey Mercedes, I'm cold" or "Make it cooler"
"Hey Mercedes, turn the seat heating to level 2"
"Hey Mercedes, I would like to set the ambient light to blue"
"Hey Mercedes, turn on the reading lamp"
"Hey Mercedes, open all the windows"
Navigation
"Hey Mercedes, navigate to [address]"
"Hey Mercedes, navigate to the nearest coffee shop"
"Hey Mercedes, show my route"
"Hey Mercedes, cancel route guidance"
Media and radio
"Hey Mercedes, play some relaxing music"
"Hey Mercedes, call up the next radio station"
"Hey Mercedes, save the radio station"
"Hey Mercedes, show the radio station list"
Vehicle information and settings
"Hey Mercedes, tell me my next service appointment"
"Hey Mercedes, how fast can I drive here?"
"Hey Mercedes, do I have Blind Spot Assist?"
"Hey Mercedes, what is MBUX?"
"Hey Mercedes, how do I connect my smartphone?"
"Hey Mercedes, what is DISTRONIC?"
Phone
"Hey Mercedes, call [contact name]"
"Hey Mercedes, call last number"
"Hey Mercedes, read out message"
General commands
"Hey Mercedes, go back"
"Hey Mercedes, show recent apps"
"Hey Mercedes, show notifications"
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 665
From: Tennessee
W214 E450
When I first got the car earlier this year I remember the passenger interior searchlight automatically turning on when I happened to reach for something in the passenger seat, just like the video mentioned, but I haven't been able to replicate that recently. Mercedes must have disabled that during one of the updates.
Come to think of it, in terms of cabin gestures none of them work anymore.
I can adjust the side mirrors just by looking at the one I want to adjust, but that isn't a cabin gesture.
Really strange and disappointed that Mercedes disabled the cabin gestures.
At least I can still use voice control to activate/deactivate most of the functions.
Come to think of it, in terms of cabin gestures none of them work anymore.
I can adjust the side mirrors just by looking at the one I want to adjust, but that isn't a cabin gesture.
Really strange and disappointed that Mercedes disabled the cabin gestures.
At least I can still use voice control to activate/deactivate most of the functions.
You know what else doesn't work in the US. The automatic closing of the sunroof when parked and the rain sensor detects rain. I think it's a combination of stupid US regulations and MB being ultra conservative to avoid any possible repercussions from the US government if they fail to meet the strictest interpretation of those regulations.
I wonder if the 3rd party coders could enable some of these features in US based cars.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 971
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From: DFW, TX
2014 E350 Wagon, 2025 GLC 350e, 2026 E53 Wagon
As I said above, there is no US regulation prohibiting any of it. It's likely US litigious nature or just pure incompetence on MBUSA's part that has this disabled.
I am sure things could be coded to be enabled.
I am sure things could be coded to be enabled.
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 76
Likes: 61
AMG E53 214.063; BMW IXM
Yeah, that’s exactly it. Early W214s had all the gesture controls active — wave to open the sunroof, shade, etc. — but one of the later NTG7 software updates disabled anything that moves hardware. Only the passenger seat light gesture stayed since it’s just illumination.
Nothing’s wrong with your sensors — Mercedes locked those gestures out across the board pending re-cert. Once MBito adds full E53 support, you’ll be able to code them back in like the 223 and 167 guys already did.
Nothing’s wrong with your sensors — Mercedes locked those gestures out across the board pending re-cert. Once MBito adds full E53 support, you’ll be able to code them back in like the 223 and 167 guys already did.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 971
Likes: 182
From: DFW, TX
2014 E350 Wagon, 2025 GLC 350e, 2026 E53 Wagon
Yeah, that’s exactly it. Early W214s had all the gesture controls active — wave to open the sunroof, shade, etc. — but one of the later NTG7 software updates disabled anything that moves hardware. Only the passenger seat light gesture stayed since it’s just illumination.
Nothing’s wrong with your sensors — Mercedes locked those gestures out across the board pending re-cert. Once MBito adds full E53 support, you’ll be able to code them back in like the 223 and 167 guys already did.
Nothing’s wrong with your sensors — Mercedes locked those gestures out across the board pending re-cert. Once MBito adds full E53 support, you’ll be able to code them back in like the 223 and 167 guys already did.
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 76
Likes: 61
AMG E53 214.063; BMW IXM
What Mercedes pulled back were the gesture commands that physically move stuff — like waving to open/close the sunroof, shade, or windows. That was part of a U.S. FMVSS review on unintentional motion from in-cabin gestures, so they temporarily disabled those until they’re re-certified. The passenger “search light” gesture stayed because it only triggers illumination, not a motor.
The digital vent controls are a whole other thing — they’re part of the THERMOTRONIC HVAC software, not tied to the motion sensors at all. So the touchscreen and voice-based vent control still work exactly as designed. You can still slide, redirect, or auto-sync the vents — none of that got touched by the gesture lockout.
The digital vent controls are a whole other thing — they’re part of the THERMOTRONIC HVAC software, not tied to the motion sensors at all. So the touchscreen and voice-based vent control still work exactly as designed. You can still slide, redirect, or auto-sync the vents — none of that got touched by the gesture lockout.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 971
Likes: 182
From: DFW, TX
2014 E350 Wagon, 2025 GLC 350e, 2026 E53 Wagon
What Mercedes pulled back were the gesture commands that physically move stuff — like waving to open/close the sunroof, shade, or windows. That was part of a U.S. FMVSS review on unintentional motion from in-cabin gestures, so they temporarily disabled those until they’re re-certified. The passenger “search light” gesture stayed because it only triggers illumination, not a motor.
The digital vent controls are a whole other thing — they’re part of the THERMOTRONIC HVAC software, not tied to the motion sensors at all. So the touchscreen and voice-based vent control still work exactly as designed. You can still slide, redirect, or auto-sync the vents — none of that got touched by the gesture lockout.
The digital vent controls are a whole other thing — they’re part of the THERMOTRONIC HVAC software, not tied to the motion sensors at all. So the touchscreen and voice-based vent control still work exactly as designed. You can still slide, redirect, or auto-sync the vents — none of that got touched by the gesture lockout.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 308
Likes: 76
2024 E350
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 35
Likes: 15
2025 e53
Here's a list of some of the voice commands that Google's AI found:
Climate control and comfort
"Hey Mercedes, I'm cold" or "Make it cooler"
"Hey Mercedes, turn the seat heating to level 2"
"Hey Mercedes, I would like to set the ambient light to blue"
"Hey Mercedes, turn on the reading lamp"
"Hey Mercedes, open all the windows"
Navigation
"Hey Mercedes, navigate to [address]"
"Hey Mercedes, navigate to the nearest coffee shop"
"Hey Mercedes, show my route"
"Hey Mercedes, cancel route guidance"
Media and radio
"Hey Mercedes, play some relaxing music"
"Hey Mercedes, call up the next radio station"
"Hey Mercedes, save the radio station"
"Hey Mercedes, show the radio station list"
Vehicle information and settings
"Hey Mercedes, tell me my next service appointment"
"Hey Mercedes, how fast can I drive here?"
"Hey Mercedes, do I have Blind Spot Assist?"
"Hey Mercedes, what is MBUX?"
"Hey Mercedes, how do I connect my smartphone?"
"Hey Mercedes, what is DISTRONIC?"
Phone
"Hey Mercedes, call [contact name]"
"Hey Mercedes, call last number"
"Hey Mercedes, read out message"
General commands
"Hey Mercedes, go back"
"Hey Mercedes, show recent apps"
"Hey Mercedes, show notifications"
Climate control and comfort
"Hey Mercedes, I'm cold" or "Make it cooler"
"Hey Mercedes, turn the seat heating to level 2"
"Hey Mercedes, I would like to set the ambient light to blue"
"Hey Mercedes, turn on the reading lamp"
"Hey Mercedes, open all the windows"
Navigation
"Hey Mercedes, navigate to [address]"
"Hey Mercedes, navigate to the nearest coffee shop"
"Hey Mercedes, show my route"
"Hey Mercedes, cancel route guidance"
Media and radio
"Hey Mercedes, play some relaxing music"
"Hey Mercedes, call up the next radio station"
"Hey Mercedes, save the radio station"
"Hey Mercedes, show the radio station list"
Vehicle information and settings
"Hey Mercedes, tell me my next service appointment"
"Hey Mercedes, how fast can I drive here?"
"Hey Mercedes, do I have Blind Spot Assist?"
"Hey Mercedes, what is MBUX?"
"Hey Mercedes, how do I connect my smartphone?"
"Hey Mercedes, what is DISTRONIC?"
Phone
"Hey Mercedes, call [contact name]"
"Hey Mercedes, call last number"
"Hey Mercedes, read out message"
General commands
"Hey Mercedes, go back"
"Hey Mercedes, show recent apps"
"Hey Mercedes, show notifications"
I like if you say Thank you’ you will get a variety of responses including you are welcome, my pleasure etc.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 328
Likes: 179
From: The Middle of the Fairway
2025 E450 All Terrain Wagon, Nautical Blue Metallic, Macchiato Beige/Black Interior
There's a bunch of easy ones and it is great that you can speak in natural language. And if you are the only person in the car you do not need to say, "Hey, Mercedes," for many of the commands. A few that I use:
- Open/close the roller blind
- Turn on/off recirculation
- I'm cold (raises temperature)
- I'm warm (lowers temperature)
- Increase/decrease music volume
- Increase/decrease music volume a little bit
- Turn on the massage
- Turn on the heated steering wheel
- Take me to *insert address here*
- What are the tire pressures?
- Show me ambient light settings
- And many more as noted in posts above!
Last edited by beechcamp; Oct 24, 2025 at 09:05 AM.
Super Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 533
Likes: 224
From: New York, NY
2026 E53 wagon
This being my first Mercedes, one thing that is new to me is how much things seem to change (mostly for the worse) via software:
the hand motion camera-based commands available seems pretty clearly worse than advertised and worse than the web site touted for the capability of the technology
the loss of any reasonable source for streaming atmos content (apple and tidal disappeared)
the loss of ability to sync with Alexa
the hand motion camera-based commands available seems pretty clearly worse than advertised and worse than the web site touted for the capability of the technology
the loss of any reasonable source for streaming atmos content (apple and tidal disappeared)
the loss of ability to sync with Alexa
