musicmafia

My live traffic stopped working on the NAV screen. I called MB and they informed me that I must pay Sirius for live traffic. We have two other cars in our family and both come with lifetime live traffic on the NAV. I think it's ridiculous to be forced to pay a third party for something that most brands (including Ford) include for free. Are there any free apps or alternative ways to get live traffic on the NAV screen? I have an Android phone but would rather use the NAV screen.

drwolf

unfortunately unless you directly hack into the comand APS to get the free nav/traffic updates, the best that i can suggest to you is use your phone for navigation as i do. I havent upgraded my navigation myself and i might do so sometime in the future but for the time being i use the phone.

MBSang

Following...

But, I just added NavTraffic subscription from Sirius XM (https://www.siriusxm.com/navtraffic/pricing), and I can see live traffic, and also weather somehow. I was not interested in the radio at all, and it was cheap enough ($3.99/month + tax).

drwolf

ya but dont you need the updated maps though?

musicmafia

I guess if I want live traffic on the NAV screen I'll have to pony up. Just rubs me wrong since this comes included on non-luxury brands like Ford and Toyota.

MBSang

I believe that has to be done by the dealer, and around $300, nothing related to the traffic info on nav.

drwolf

I know that, i havent updated mine yet, in all honesty i dont plan to

musicmafia

I surrender. Called Sirius last night. The idiot rep kept me on the phone an hour (mostly trying to upsell me). I told them I just want live traffic. $4/mo. They took all my credit card info, etc, told me I was good to go. As of today, still no live traffic. Guess I'm back on the phone with Sirius today

MBSang

I am not sure how this whole thing is working, but I accidentally activated xm radio to begin with... I paid, and activated mine per their instruction. It took about 2-3 min, and restart the audio. Then, realized what I need is not radio, but NavTraffic... so, I called them and drop the radio, and transfer my account to the nav... and waited about 1-2 min, and the radio switched to "preview" automatically... so, I changed radio to nav, and I see the live traffic in nearby highway, also I can click the "traffic" menu at the bottom of the screen... so, it wasn't bad at all for me...

Good luck with your activation...

Koenig1

MB Navigation Command is the most archaic system in this universe! My 'Nag-agator' (wife) has spent 3 years learning this mess on our way to Florida & back each year, and has now got quite a handle on it. I will admit to purchasing 'DVD in Motion' to allow operation while driving... I know, I know , Transport Canada rules infringed! This system of having an Operators DVD copied to the hard drive, only to be viewed while sitting in a driveway is absolute NUTS! Well at least those without DVDINMOTION. No chance of reading it at home, on your standalone computer at your leisure... just STUPID! Love the ML, but, the angst of yesterday's computer brain leaves one with the thought to try other vehicles next time around. The Best Or Nothing... doesn't ring true here. With a purchase of any Garmin, traffic for life is free... IPhone WAYS, way beyond MB's architecture!
...end of rant...!

musicmafia

Man, I love a good rant and yours is certainly justified. I agree with you 100%. This traffic/NAV issue is just the tip of the melting iceberg. The entire MB Comand system, tiny receded non-touch screen and clunky user interface (complete with knobs LOL) is straight out of 2001. I love just about everything else about my ML but I shake my head every day wondering what the hell they were thinking! Even our Ford had a nice touch screen and a great user-friendly interface.

The last time I had my ML serviced they gave me a 2018 MB sedan as a loaner and although the screen was a little bigger it was the same archaic system! Knob and all!

PS My operators disc has never worked. Everything I look up in the manual, says "refer to digital operators guide". Mercedes sent me a replacement disc and it will not load. So I cant even sit in the driveway and try and figure something out.

vinceC

PS My operators disc has never worked. Everything I look up in the manual, says "refer to digital operators guide". Mercedes sent me a replacement disc and it will not load. So I cant even sit in the driveway and try and figure something out.

Hmmm. On my 2014 I scroll to the 'globe" symbol at the far right end of the Main Function Bar, select, then scroll to the Operator's Manual. I have a disc but I have never had to use it. I always assumed that the disc was loaded into the COMAND system at vehicle prep. It is also covered in the first few pages of the COMAND section my paper M-Class Operator's Manual - page 222 in my case. It is very handy. I don't know nay other manufacturer that has this feature.

cjamesqb8

Well is it possible to hack into the COMAND APS and if so, How?????

vinceC

Is that for me? I haven't a clue.

musicmafia

Yeah I have the full book manual but it seems like most things I look up are only in the digital manual. When I navigate there, it says the manual must be uploaded from the disc and every time I try to load the disc, it errors out. Next time it's in for service hopefully they can figure it out.

mikeh0917

I have had a 2012 ML350 which supports Sirius/XM Radio and Traffic. Traffic is an add-on feature but I really like the Sirius version vs XM version which was on my wife's Lexus. I recently acquired a 2017 E300 and found out that it supports Sirius/XM Radio but Traffic is not-supported. At first it seemed unbelievable that technology had digressed and the newer technology in the E300 would not support Sirius/XM Traffic. Subsequently I found out that Mercedes is now in the game and you are supposed to use their Traffic package called Live Traffic. It is available through subscription. To be fair, I have not had enough experience with the Mercedes Live Traffic yet, but first blush is that I prefer the traffic depiction on my 2012 ML with Sirius/XM traffic than Live Traffic. So bottom line...don't confuse the generic live traffic with Mercedes Live Traffic. Also, you may need to check with both Mercedes and Sirius to make sure which version is supported in your vehicle. Hope this helps.

LookingAround

Re: MB owners affected by 3G shutdown

1. Looks like MB did publish something "official". No publication date
   • Mercedes-Benz mbraceŽ - 3G Network Sunset FAQ
2. Also looks like a law firm is looking at legal action for MB owners affected by 3G shutdown - and fyi: asking affected owners to contact them.
   • Mercedes mbrace Legal Options for Owners After 3G Service Cancellation