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Created: 16 Nov 2019
Last Updated: 18 Nov 2019
Questions and Answers about COMAND NTG3 in pre 2009/2010 facelift W221 S Class and W216 CL.
Questions:
1 How do I tell if I have NTG3 or NTG3.5
2 What is the latest map ?
3 Can I use the map update DVD on multiple systems?
4 I can buy map updates for almost free on eBay - what are the risks?
5 My clock is not showing the right time or date any longer.
6 Is there a hidden engineering mode ?
7 My system is broken. Can I replace it with a used unit from eBay for a different region ?
8 Is there an AUX input ?
9 I imported a Japanese vehicle to UK/Australia/NZ, can I make COMAND work as it should
Answers:
1. How do I tell if I have NTG3 or NTG3.5
NTG3 has a wide PCMCIA slot on the front, whereas NTG3.5 has a SD card slot
2. What is the latest map ?
The latest European map is 2018/2019 V17.0 and is available from Comand Online Mercedes NTG3 map for Europe
3. Can I use the map update DVD on multiple systems?
Technically yes, the map is copied from the DVD onto the internal Hard Disk. However when you purchase / use the DVD set you are legally agreeing to install the map onto only one vehicle.
4. I can buy map updates for almost free on eBay - what are the risks?
Apart from they are illegal copies and the licence fee has not been paid, given the cost of a genuine update this is a question we are asked regularly. We know of many cases where an update has failed in the middle and the COMAND system is not recoverable. This is going to cost you many thousands of £ / $ / Euros to replace your system and you may like to consider that risk when updating. The main issue seems to be bad copies or the fact that DVD-RW are less reflective than a manafactured DVD and thus read errors can occur during the update that causes issues.
5. My clock is not showing the right time or date any longer.
The GPS date is transmitted as a week number (0 to 1023) and many navigation systems have got confused when the number wrapped from 1023 back to zero and thus set the date back 1024 weeks. A clever chap in USA called Polar Bear on mbworld forum has made an update which I know people have tried and it works. We can't guarantee that it will work or warranty that it won't damage your system. But you can find more Here on mbworld.org
6. Is there a hidden engineering mode ?
Yes, it is tricky to access because you have to hold the rotary knob to the right whilst pressing a sequence of buttons and not rotating it. The sequence is as follows.
(a) Use controller to select Vehicle, then System Settings, then Display Off and turn display off.
(b) Press * button and hold down whist doing next steps
(c) Push rotary controller to right without rotating or pressing, and hold there whilst doing next steps
(d) Press seat massage button next to the Hazard switch, and hold down
(e) Press MUTE button (below the volume dial.
You should now be in engineering mode,
7. My system is broken. Can I replace it with a used unit from eBay for a different region ?
If you put a USA system in a European vehicle, some items will not work properly. You need to put a system from the correct region in your vehicle. It will need coding with Star Diagnosis to enable the correct menu items to be enabled to match the specification of your vehicle, and you also need to consider the cost of a map update.
8. Is there an AUX input ?
The system supports an AUX input (3.5mm jack socket). If yours does not have one you can purchase the parts from Genuine Mercedes NTG3 AUX socket kit. If there is no AUX menu it will need to be activated using Star Diagnosis. Comand.co.uk can retrofit this for you if you visit them in Lightwater, Surrey, UK.
9. I imported a Japanese vehicle to UK/Australia/NZ, can I make COMAND work as it should
Sadly not. The hardware is different, you will need to change the COMAND, the display cable and retrofit the phone system, and then install the correct map. Its a lot of work and expensive parts.
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