Trying to figure out the Command system has been difficult but the most frustrating part is that it doesn't seem as if you can have the NAV system on without the radio on at the same time. I could turn the volume of the radio down but then I don't get the spoken directions from the NAV system. I hope someone can suggest a remedy. I am puzzled as to how this should be. The other thing is that the mbrace notice pops up everytime I turn on the engine blocking the odometer screen until I turn it off. I was told by mbrace that the dealership had made an account for us but that it indicated we had declined the offer of a free 6 months and then a paid subscription which is true. I have been told by mbrace that the dealership can remove the software so that we don't get what in effect is an ad popping up. Does this sound correct?

Thanks for your time.

Thanks

On mine, the Radio volume lowers when the NAV is speaking. I have mbrace, so not sure about that problem.

Thanks for replying. Ours does the same (vol lowers when NAV speaking) but the point I was trying to make is that it seems that UNLESS you have the radio on (muted or not) you can't have the NAV on despite there being a separate button for NAV.

Have the radio and Navigation system ON with your preferred volume, then try to press MUTE button.
You should not hear the radio but still be able to hear the NAV.

Thanks. Will try it tonight and report back.

Worked perfectly as you suggested. Thanks again. Another question we have to decide on is whether to get the pre-paid maintenance. We were told the numbers for different periods at signing but since the guy gabbled them we didn't get them and I haven't seen them online - just a description of the program. We have emailed twice for them to give us the numbers but surprisingly no answer. It seems as if the proscribed services are pretty minimal during the warranty period. One disadvantage I see is that it takes away the flexibility of who does the services. Any thoughts welcome while we try and get the actual numbers which apparently, because of prepayment give you 20% off the regular prices. We already had a letter giving some break on the first tire rotation so I wonder whether coupons are normal which would take away from the savings of pre-paid. Thanks.

You can adjust the volume of the Nav system when the voice is talking. It will not effect the volume of the radio. So if you turn down the radio, while it is playing, when the Nav wants to talk it should be at the volume to which it was last set. Same for CD's and other audio. Each volume should be independent.

Prepaid maintenance is a good deal if you lease because it's added to the price of the car and residualized (i.e., if your residual is 60%, you only pay 40% of the maintenance plan price plus a little interest). I don't like the prepaid maintenance as much for a cash/finance purchase.

First, there is no residual so you're paying the full price. Second, it's not refundable and there is more risk if you total the car before you've used up the maintenance plan. It's not refundable if you total a leased car either but the way a lease is structured lowers the amount you would lose. Third, as you said, it locks you in to having the service performed at a dealership. The Mercedes-Benz maintenance plan is good at any authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer but you wouldn't be able to go to an independent. Lastly, if you have multiple Mercedes-Benz dealerships within driving distance, competition for your service business is more fierce. Check all of their websites for service coupons. Dealerships will almost always honor coupons from competing dealerships in the area, so use those to your advantage. You should be able to lower the price of service at least to be the same as what you would have paid with the prepaid, if not actually lower.

Thanks balticgreen for this analysis. Very helpful and we have decided not to take the prepaid (we bought not leased).

This is very helpful. I think we are now getting the hang of the system. What a great forum! Thanks.

The 30K prepaid maintainence program offers solid savings - and can be purcahsed anytime up to checking into service dept for the 10K service.

You have complimentary 2500 tire rotation for the GLK - this is to recheck tire wear and factory suspension/alignment - check with your dealerr to confirm - after 2500 miles rotation raely needs to be done except in the case where road hazard.

You might need to understand 10K service takes about 2 1/2 shop hrs - including updates to electronic engine/tranny/misc software.

Register for mercedes Owners Online at mbusa.com - that way you will receive email notification of campaignes/technical service issues immedaitely that impact your vehicle/VIN.

Keep the beat !

There is a spoken command: "Audio off" that will turn off the radio.

Someone mentioned that 3 year/30K of service is $1465 (GLK250) vs $769 (GLK350)

The major difference being the adblue. MMmm almost 700 bucks just for adblue over 3 years sounds outrageous!

Yeah, no kidding. Autozone sells DEF (checking online for my zipcode) in a 2.5 gallon container for $15. If I remember correctly, the tank in the car is 7 gallons. That tank was designed to last longer than the oil change interval but let's say for simplicity that you completely deplete the tank between oil changes. You'd need three of those containers to refill the tank. That's $45, exclusive of taxes, for the DEF per oil change interval. 3yr/30k is three such intervals so that's $135. A far cry from $700.

Is there something else in the first three years of service that only applies to the diesel engines?

You are so right on the auto parts pricing of DEF. It's too easy not to do it yourself. I actually pulled in to a fuel-opolis (brand new) last week and they had DEF pumps next to the diesel fuel pumps.

I think I will still buy it at the auto parts store and fill from bottles. Did you confirm that the auto parts store DEF met the ISO standard that MB requires? I saw the standard number somewhere, but I cannot remember it. This would be the only caveat to DIY DEF, make sure the fluid meets the ISO spec and you will save yourself lots of cash! (You can buy MB brand DEF in quart bottles for around $20 each on ebay, but that would total $280 doing it that way.)

Other than a brake fluid change at 20K (required for both GLK250 and GLK350), the maintenance to 30K is the same, excepting the DEF refill, for both models. It's the 40K maintenance that can be pricey: Oil/filter change; brake fluid change, ATF service, DEF refill (GLK250) and fuel filter change (GLK 250)

ISO22241. It doesn't say on the Autozone page, though.

There is no Prepaid Maintenance prices anymore - Actual prices vary by dealer. See dealer for the final pricing.

Princess Auto sells DEF. It is normally about $17.xx for a 9.46L (2.5usg) jug. It meets the ISO spec.

Currently on sale for under $10.00.

Don't have my GLK250 yet, but I think I might pick up a couple or three jugs! We won't likely do more that 10k km per year.

ADDED: Only a few stores still have that product SKU. It has been discontinued. The product they now have has different SKU and is $17.99.

How about this in US: BLUEDEF Diesel Exhaust Fluid, 2.5 gal, $11.97

http://www.walmart.com/ip/BLUEDEF-Di...ingMethod=p13n

Can one use one of those 'handheld pressure sprayers' to make it easier to fill the DEF fluid?

Remove the sprayer nossle and just fill from the hose? Is this easier? I have no idea how large the opening is for the DEF

(this one is only 1Gallon)
http://www.walmart.com/ip/RL-Flo-Mas...oduct_interest

The MB quart bottle has a threaded neck with a spring-loaded valve. Twist into filler neck on the car and push down to let the fluid flow. Someone made the comment to buy one MB bottle, put it in the vehicle.

Save the empty bottle and cut the bottom out of it. You could then fill the MB bottle (one quart at a time, from the bottom) and press down to dispense. When the tank is full it won't flow any more, without pressing down, simply twist the MB bottle off and pour any excess back into your bulk container. This way you shouldn't spill any DEF in the trunk area. Although DEF is odorless and colorless, it is corrosive, hence the reason to not spill any inside the vehicle.

A funnel will work just as well, but you won't have the spill protection from overfilling.

Has anyone filled their DEF from a bulk pump at one of the newer travel/diesel fuel centers? The ones that I saw looked like a regular fuel pump handle with bright blue to designate DEF. The nozzle looked quite large, so I'm not sure that it will fit. I am assuming that these nozzles would have the automatic cut-off, similar to a fuel nozzle, but I cannot confirm.

As long as it meets the ISO spec, it should be fine. I could not tell from the website if it meets the spec. As always, keep your receipts for your DIY maintenance. I think I saw this at Sam's Club, as well. (Pre GLK, so I didn't look very closely.)

Good Old Wally. I will look for that when down over winter.