When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
This is an install and review of Road Top’s device decoder box that adds Carplay or Android Auto or Mirror Link, plus other features. This product is for your Mercedes Benz 2015 to 2019 C, GLC, CLA, GLA with NTG 5.0+ interface that did not have Carplay or Android Auto capability from the factory. Depending on your factory options, you either have the infotainment system that has the smaller screen or the upgraded (Command) system with factory navigation and biggerscreen that does not have Carplay capability.
I decided to put together this tutorial to help others who are intimidated by the install which really is not difficult.
So what are the benefits of this device. Besides the obvious of adding Carplay, Android Auto or Mirrorlink wirelessly or via wired USB. It works with your usual factory controls including steering controls You also retain the factory interfac. All you have to do is click the button with the star symbol to switch from original and to the new one and vice versa.
What I have is a 2019 GLC63 Mercedes Benz with command with no Carplay from factory. So all my install information is base from my car. But it should be very similar towards all different Mercedes models mentioned above. Along with the manual that comes with the product and from the seller. There are plenty of Youtube videos that will help you with the install. So treat this as a supplement to other information.
Thanks for the detailed instruction.
Can you use the Carplay navigation like Waze and in the same time listen to the car radio?
I had a similar system on my Macan and I couldn't.
Thanks for the detailed instruction.
Can you use the Carplay navigation like Waze and in the same time listen to the car radio?
I had a similar system on my Macan and I couldn't.
Do you mean tune native AM/FM radio while running Waze? Wow that’s a great question because I’ve never tried that because I just listen to music apps all the time. But I tried it just now and it actually does it. I tuned in an FM radio channel. Then I pushed and hold the star button and it switched me to CarPlay and I went to Waze while listening at the car radio. Now to listen back to a CarPlay music app. You have to push hold star again go back to radio and switch it to USB interface then go back to CarPlay and play music from an app.
Ok, but you will have no navigation voice direction, when listening to FM radio. The screen will show the map (Waze or other app) but no voice command.
Ok, but you will have no navigation voice direction, when listening to FM radio. The screen will show the map (Waze or other app) but no voice command.
You are probably right, I guess you just can't have everything. One solution is to grab a radio app like TuneIN or Iheart.
@izzyAMG what do you mean to transfer the audio cable in step #14... I don’t have any audio
Do you have the command system? The original square harness that came from the back of the radio, there should be an optical audio wire cable. The wire color on mine was purple and it looks like two wires together but one wire is cut. You need to detach that and attach it to the new square plug that you replace the original with.
I found it little after I sent the message after studying the installation pictures you posted and the harness itself, thanks for the help! It all works now, hopefully no issues in the future.
I found it little after I sent the message after studying the installation pictures you posted and the harness itself, thanks for the help! It all works now, hopefully no issues in the future.
How long have you had yours working?
I just installed mine as well but I've seen others who had there's for a while with no issues. Yah hopefully all should be okay.
You are awesome for posting such detail. I have no interest in any of it but you put a lot of work into it and it doesn't go unnoticed.
thanks!
It came out of frustration not having CarPlay option from factory for an expensive car. And now finally having one I can live with I wanted to share so everyone don’t get intimidated installing it.
My only question though, will it negate the warranty? Or if being removed prior to a dealership visit it leaves no traces so we should be golden?
Okay, so I did spoke to my service advisor when I was still thinking about it as I was also worried about warranty. And the dealer actually had a guy that they recommended to do an install of this similar device for there clients that would have cost a few grand. (No thanks)
He claimed MB will not make it an issue because it is an external device from the head unit and that you are not hacking the internals but just bridging a device. Not the same as like replacing the whole display unit. He claims he had plenty of clients do this and was never an issue. Obviously if you made a mistake and broke something during the install I doubt MB will cover. And I don’t think pulling it prior to going the dealer makes sense. It’s just not that easy to do.
Now I’m just going with what my SA told me. So it can still be an issue. But I’ve not known MB to give clients a hard time. Its not like we have an option to get the CarPlay from MB. It might also help having a good relationship with your SA.
Does your touchpad work on the system or just the buttons and scroll wheel? I swear mine did work on the setup but now doesn’t...? It works diene on the usual system
Does your touchpad work on the system or just the buttons and scroll wheel? I swear mine did work on the setup but now doesn’t...? It works diene on the usual system
My touchpad doesn’t work when using CarPlay.
Wish there wasn’t such a big difference in volume level from the CarPlay to regular radio, even after adjusting the volume level within the decoder, but all in all I’m happy with it.
Followed your instructions and got everything successfully installed - thanks a lot once again! Left the usb cable unplugged as wanted to keep it minimalistic and without it it works like a charm. Had to restart the unit as it was only showing the settings menu at first, now it works over WiFi seamlessly and couldn’t be more happy about my car having modern phone integration!
I’ve noticed that sound quality is different compared with my Bluetooth and has much more bass, had to adjust in EQ.
One question that I’m struggling with now - how do I get back into the box settings (black and white one)?
Followed your instructions and got everything successfully installed - thanks a lot once again! Left the usb cable unplugged as wanted to keep it minimalistic and without it it works like a charm. Had to restart the unit as it was only showing the settings menu at first, now it works over WiFi seamlessly and couldn’t be more happy about my car having modern phone integration!
I’ve noticed that sound quality is different compared with my Bluetooth and has much more bass, had to adjust in EQ.
One question that I’m struggling with now - how do I get back into the box settings (black and white one)?
If you are referring to the decoder settings, select the Mercedes-Benz icon/app and it will load the decoder interface.
I have installed mine and it seems to work with Android auto.
When I'm navigating using Waze I don't get any audio instructions.
Also when I try to play iHeart radio I don't get any sound but I can see that the app is playing.
Can anybody help me with this?
I have installed mine and it seems to work with Android auto.
When I'm navigating using Waze I don't get any audio instructions.
Also when I try to play iHeart radio I don't get any sound but I can see that the app is playing.
Can anybody help me with this?
11-27-2020, 06:47 AM
