Steering wheel controls. Lots of problems
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 342
Likes: 91
From: Florida
GLE400, 2017 Porsche 911S
Steering wheel controls. Lots of problems
We just leased a 2025 GLE 350. This is probably our 6th one. I am having difficulty using the touch controls on the steering wheel, especially the volume. I have the same peoblem on the loaner cars we've been getting also. It seems that the electronic switch doesn't always work if my finger isn't slightly moist.
Does anyone else find this to be the case? f so, are there any tips? Thank you!
Does anyone else find this to be the case? f so, are there any tips? Thank you!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 342
Likes: 91
From: Florida
GLE400, 2017 Porsche 911S
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 300
From: Illinois
2021 c300 Cab. Arrived 7/28/21 . 24 GLE 450e.
We just leased a 2025 GLE 350. This is probably our 6th one. I am having difficulty using the touch controls on the steering wheel, especially the volume. I have the same peoblem on the loaner cars we've been getting also. It seems that the electronic switch doesn't always work if my finger isn't slightly moist.
Does anyone else find this to be the case? f so, are there any tips? Thank you!
Does anyone else find this to be the case? f so, are there any tips? Thank you!
Last edited by Elvisfan0108; Jun 14, 2025 at 12:27 PM.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,390
Likes: 6,330
Thankfully the GLE still has that, on even newer MBs, you are forced to have everything in one screen and also adjust the volume on the steering wheel or more capacitive touch right underneath the screen.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 187
From: TX
2023 GLE3502W, 2024 GLC3002W, 1967 Pontiac GTO 4 sp (sold...sniff)
While it is not definitive, my 24 GLC manual seems to indicate that the volume control on the steering wheel is associated with the volume of a telephone call. I tried using it to control the audio volume with the same difficulty as reported here. Gave up and use the console volume control all the time.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 260
Likes: 72
2024 GLE 450e
- Go to the MBUX Settings Menu:
- Tap the main display → Settings → System (or Vehicle).
- Locate “Touchpad Sensitivity” (or “Touch-Control Sensitivity”):
- It’s the same feature used for the touchpads in the center console and door panels
- Select Your Preferred Level:
- Options usually range from low, medium, to high.
- Choose the one that best suits your preference.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 300
From: Illinois
2021 c300 Cab. Arrived 7/28/21 . 24 GLE 450e.
While it is not definitive, my 24 GLC manual seems to indicate that the volume control on the steering wheel is associated with the volume of a telephone call. I tried using it to control the audio volume with the same difficulty as reported here. Gave up and use the console volume control all the time.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,390
Likes: 6,330
They're going back to the thumb wheel for volume on the steering wheel. Here's a video of the new GLC. Hopefully the '26 or '27 GLE will get it too.
https://youtu.be/gdcH-V-sV24?si=2Q7SeMjiZuBgrLH-
https://youtu.be/gdcH-V-sV24?si=2Q7SeMjiZuBgrLH-
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,011
Likes: 2,198
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 300
From: Illinois
2021 c300 Cab. Arrived 7/28/21 . 24 GLE 450e.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,011
Likes: 2,198
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
I get along quite well with my 2021 steering wheel controls. It's another reason I decided to keep it when it went out of warranty.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,390
Likes: 6,330
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 187
From: TX
2023 GLE3502W, 2024 GLC3002W, 1967 Pontiac GTO 4 sp (sold...sniff)
Elivisfan0108 is correct. My post above was misleading. Sorry. That said, I messed around with 2 things. The sensitivity setting seems to control how fast or slow the system reacts when you swipe a volume control. On Slow I swiped and there was slight delay for the volume control to work. On Fast it followed my finger right away. But the interesting thing I discovered is what happens with different fingers, I use my index finger to swipe the dash control I use my thumb to swipe the steering wheel control. Index finger fine. Thumb on steering wheel not so much. When I use my index finger on the steering wheel control it behaves the same way as with the dash. Of course that's a bit clumsy and requires a quick glance to see the finger placement. It looks like I use more finger surface when I use my index finger. Next is to see if the controls are reacting to heat or pressure. Hmmmm....
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 342
Likes: 91
From: Florida
GLE400, 2017 Porsche 911S
My 25 GLE350 is my 6th MB SUV. I do like the car but the volume control on the steering wheel is the worst. It's the same problem when I get a loaner. When your finger is moist, the volume control works fine. MB should have a no cost option of a little tray to put a wet sponge in. Lol
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,116
Likes: 4,605
From: Maryland
2024 S580
My advice is to use some sort of ceramic cleaner or spray that leaves a very slick surface. Every week when I wash my car I wipe those controls down with a ceramic spray sealant I also use for the paint, and it leaves them very slick and the slider controls work much better.
They are never great though.
They are never great though.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,011
Likes: 2,198
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
My 25 GLE350 is my 6th MB SUV. I do like the car but the volume control on the steering wheel is the worst. It's the same problem when I get a loaner. When your finger is moist, the volume control works fine. MB should have a no cost option of a little tray to put a wet sponge in. Lol
I'm glad my '21 has the roller control on the steering wheel, like the one on the console.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 260
Likes: 72
2024 GLE 450e
your cell phone is all capacitive. It was a pain switching from blackberry keyboard but we all learned… some slower than others
now that I sounded snarky enough , I admit to preferring hard switch’s on the dash for climate control and other common functions
