jyang7788

Hey guys,

Picked up my 2008 S550 last night and loving it so far. A couple of dumb questions perhaps but just wanted to check that I understood everything after some searching.

1. EZ Pass location- funny, I had no idea that EZ passes didn't work if not in the correct location so I definitely went through two coming home. Where do you guys put them? I believe that there is the area at the bottom of the windshield and a location towards the top. I have night vision so I think it eats into other possible location but curious to see what other forum members think is the best location that is not as distracting. I'd like to avoid getting one of the external ones.

2. Driver's seat belt height - feels like it is stuck, not moving with the seat, might be that the steel cord/hook at the bottom has fallen off?

3. Bluetooth Adapter - Didn't come with the car, I ordered one last night which should come on Thursday, believe that the fix for iPhone 6 is already out but just wanted to check as there were some threads suggesting it didn't work the the 6

4. Mercedes iPod integration - it looks like my car has the ipod integration kit installed as the RCA inputs are free and there is just a black cord coming out of the left side of the glovebox with a 30-pin connector. Before I go out there and look for lightning adapters, what is the functionality of this kit/would I be able to control song selection from Comand or from the phone? if from the phone, what is the audio quality from one of the bluetooth steaming devices?

5. How much is it to replace the steering wheel buttons? Mine are kind of sticky and gross

6. Backup Camera - its nice and has those guiding lines but they don't move when I turn. Saw some videos online where it did so I'm curious if its something I need to turn or or its malfunctioning.

I know its a lot, but just getting acclimated to the car and its various features.

Thanks in advance!

mercedesbenzs55

I don't think Mercedes makes new buttons. I would just use alcohol or something if the sort and wipe the sticky off until its just plastic.

DaveW68

Actually, they do sell the control switch buttons separately. Keep an eye on eBay and you can probably find them in good condition for under $100 for both sides.

Mike5215

EZ pass to the left of the rear view mirror. Tune2Air Bluetooth adapter, sounds great, gives same controls as you have with a hard docked connection.

jyang7788

Thanks, would I be able to also connect to the OEM bluetooth adapter for the phone and be able to play music and make calls?

just1time

don't buy new switches. just rub the adhesive/plastic off and you are good to go.

xpl0sive

I've been looking on eBay daily for the damn buttons, all I found was Tan colored ones . New buttons are $250

DaveW68

They do come available from time to time. You just have to keep looking. I wonder if the switches from the face-lifted car would work in my steering wheel? I don't think those have the rubber coating on them that gets sticky with age.

Drives550

No. The hands-free calling bluetooth protocol is different from the audio-streaming bluetooth protocol. For reasons I don't understand, that big 'ol bluetooth puck Mercedes puts in the center console is hands-free only.

Thus the solution Mike mentioned. So, you end up with the Benz puck for hands-free calling, and the Tune-2-Air for audio.

The Tune-2-Air works well. You can see track names, scroll around generally. For any more particularized song choosing, I just use the phone.

The Tune-2-Air and Benz puck do not interfer with each other (because of the different protocols). So, you can be streaming music and if a call comes in, you'll hear the ring and can switch over seamlessly; then you can switch back when you're done.

For the EZPass, what Mike said. You can see the "blank" spot in the windshield in the right light, if you look hard enough.

Oh, and pictures! Let's see the car.

jyang7788

"The Tune-2-Air and Benz puck do not interfer with each other (because of the different protocols). So, you can be streaming music and if a call comes in, you'll hear the ring and can switch over seamlessly; then you can switch back when you're done."

This is perfect, just what I wanted to hear.

I'm taking a quick road trip up to Montreal this weekend so pics will be coming then!

Got the puck coming in on Thursday and will order the tune 2 air as well. As for EZ Pass I'll have to move it from the current mounting spot, hopefully those 3M sticky pads they send with the thing don't leave residue and i can re-use them.

Just got to figure out the seatbelt height and grow some long fingernails to get rid of the sticky stuff now.

xpl0sive

nah, face lifted buttons/airbags/steering wheels are different.

pre-facelift



facelift

DaveW68

Yeah....the facelifted controls appear to be bigger.

Drives550

NY EZ Pass velcro doesn't reuse. Have to razor blade it off. I use Velcro stips from the big box hardware stores.

I mounted mine in the wrong spot, but been too lazy to move it. I just pull it off and put it in the EZ Pass spot to the left of the rearview and then stick it back when I'm through.

Plus, in NY and surrounding, they photo your license plate anyways and charge you that way; I've gone through many without my EZ pass reading and never had an issue.

Mike5215

Yep. Two independent systems. You're fortunate your 08 had the IPod integration kit. A lot from 07-09 didn't and it's almost impossible to add an external source without it. I just traded my S and have a spare Tune2Air. Figure $40 shipped, or you can get them new from Amazon for around $80. You'll need the cable that comes out of the IPod kit and terminates in an Apple 30 pin male.

jyang7788

Cool, so its this?


Yea i believe it has the cable already because in the glovebox there is a wire coming out of the side with an Apple 30 pin male, or is there something different I need?

Mike5215

That's it, although I just had an existing member ask to buy my used one. Sorry about that. And your cable should work as long as it's from that car.

KNBS550

I do something similar. Before I pass the tollgates, I just pull the transponder box out of the center console, put it against that dark shaded area to the left of the rear view mirror mount and after it beeps on the way out I put it away. That way my windshield stays clean with no toll tag stuck on it. In CA, too, they photo your license plate too so you don't need the actual box. Just need to have the car's license plate registered with the toll authority.

Atcpup

I'll take it Mike unless it's already gone.

jyang7788

Yea haven't gotten the new plates yet so I'll just wait a few days then try to just go with that method.

rsr911

I cant get my Izoom to work from inside my car. I have to open the moon roof and hold it out side the car. That's how shielded our cars are.

I am a Deputy Sheriff my portable works perfectly in all our other Benz. It will not transmit from inside my S class and barely receives.

By the way congrats and welcome.

Mike5215

There are two "windows" in the infrared coating on the windshield that allow microwaves to pass (although even when a radar detector is mounted elsewhere on the windshield you'll still get a signal but it's muted.)

They're about 5" x 3" and they look like a patch of little dots. One is just left of the rear view mirror about two inches below the headliner. The other is dead center at the base of the windshield about 2" above the dash. I put the EZPass transponder down low and my V1 up high.

ACRB

With the Tune2air there are 2 models. The 1000 and the 3000. Make sure you get the right one for an 08 car. I would think it's the 1000.

Drives550

No. For the old school 30 pin you need the 1000, not 3000. Ask me how I know.

And their customer support sucks. So don't expect courtesy. But it largely seems to work and is [relatively] cheap.

Taza858

I added a pic of my ipad cable wich tune2air should I get

Mike5215

The 1000. The pin out configuration on the 3000 may not be correct for your car. Use your existing cable (presuming it came with the car).