Mercedes Metris CarPlay Issues

3751 Views 60 Replies 16 Participants Last post by pounce, 17 d ago

aubreyphoto

Discussion Starter · 3 mo ago

Hello Metris fam! Just curious has anyone else reached their wits end with getting a resolution for the Metris Audio 30 not consistently connecting with CarPlay? I've been told that it is a known issue with MBUSA but that they have no resolution at this point. With the Metris soon to be discontinued in the US, my concern is that they would not be pressed to find a resolution with it no longer an issue for North America.

Are there enough bummed Metris owners who might be willing to get together to try and pressure MBUSA to find a resolution for all? Maybe pressing their legal team to do something? As the disconnecting CarPlay can ultimate lead to a liability if someone is using maps and gets disconnected and are unable to reconnect and become distracted? I know it's a reach, but I'm so bummed that CarPlay doesn't work

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Drey

· #41 · 2 mo ago

Here is my take: 2021 Metris passenger with Audio 30. I went to my dealer and my service manager said the issue is known and there is no fix at this time, I didnt believe it for a minute - went to my fleet manager who inspected my car, turned a few options off on my phone (iphone 14 pro), confirmed that it will not connect and stated the following - this Audio 30 units are not upgradable, bring a vehicle for service, we will call headquarters while a car is here, if they wont provide the fix the audio unit MUST be replaced because they WORK with car play. I said fair enough, let me check my schedule and in a few days I ll call back to schedule a time.
Went home, took an ORIGINAL Apple cable, plugged it in, iphone recognized Audio 30 as Daimler Vito, asked to turn Siri on and car play showed up on the screen.
There is something with these aftermarket cables that prohibit proper connectivity.

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Reactions: 1

imacd

· #42 · 2 mo ago

I've had that trouble with some cables and my laptop. I think some are for charging only.

Reactions: 1

Drey

· #43 · 2 mo ago

imacd said:
I've had that trouble with some cables and my laptop. I think some are for charging only.

Exactly 👍

jimiray

· #44 · 25 d ago

CarPlay is painfully unreliable in my 2021 Metris. Sometimes I can get 40 mins and other times 4 secs. I initially used the original Apple lightning cable for my iPhone 14 Pro but it didn't work well at all. I have a "Monster" branded Apple MFi certified cable that has given me better results. Connection on phone shows as Vito40 so I guess it is a newer unit. Just received an Ottocast bluetooth unit and haven't had much luck with it either. SiriusXM is totally useless also. My 2013 Acura TSX has reliable Sirius service and navigation. Hard to believe the Germans haven't produced a reliable unit yet.

pounce

· #45 · 25 d ago

Start by deleting all of the pairings.

jimiray

· #46 · 24 d ago

I made a service appointment with the MB dealer for radio issues. Spent some time with SiriusXM support and it just does not keep a signal even when stopped. My other car parked next to it is fine though. Radio stations act much the same way and lots of owners have CarPlay issues. Also what model of iPod works. The manual claims it supports those also. Sorry about the rant but I had just come back from a 6 hour road trip mostly just listening to road noise. Perhaps someone knows of a good spot to attach a wire coat hanger on a 2 yr old Mercedes for better reception.

pounce

· #47 · 23 d ago

Do you have any other electronics in the van potentially causing any interference? Anything at all?

jimiray

· #48 · 23 d ago

Nothing I installed. It is a Driverge Getaway so it has the Victron electronics for solar and the few USB ports powered from the house battery.

pounce

· #49 · 23 d ago

So you have not broken down and acquired a wireless carplay adapter?

jimiray

· #50 · 23 d ago

Yes I purchased an Ottocast and it seemed to work great when I first plugged it in sitting in the driveway. On the road repeated tapping on the green CarPlay icon on screen didn't do anything to connect. Plugged the iPhone back in for for the pure joy of unplugging and re-inserting at highway speed. Haven't had a chance to play with Ottocast more because of other things needing my attention. It was pretty much plug and play at first though. Not sure why Sirius XM is so flaky. Will have the artist picture and song title displayed but lose the sound. Radio acted similar. Sound would drop out but station info still displayed.

pounce

· #51 · 23 d ago (Edited)

Does sound like you have some more serious things happening. Your antenna is likely under the front fairing of the SCA top. With your service appointment if they seem clueless you might ask them to pull the head unit out and re-seat all of the connections. Have them pull and inspect the usb wiring harness to the dash usb outlet. They can do basic testing on the usb harness cable. I've seen where this connection is bad and causes usb issues.

Plenty of really nice head units out there these days if you want a bigger screen. I love mine.

jimiray

· #52 · 23 d ago

Thanks for tips on giving service techs some direction.

icerabbit

· #53 · 23 d ago

Regarding XM.
If you have no other extras, and things only work partially, in a place where there is good reception: bad antenna connection? damaged wire? bad antenna?

My radio FM reception suffers on weaker radio stations when I use my third party carplay display. It is why a lot of my music entertainment is either just on the SD card, data streaming through a phone app, or just silence. I have gotten so tired of radio commercials and chatter; that I often rather just have nothing.

Reactions: 2

krmathere

· #54 · 18 d ago

Le Manchot said:
There are a couple of threads here on this issue - take a look by searching "apple CarPlay". One fix is a secondary bluetooth device that makes the connection and overrides the defective bluetooth in the Audio 30/40 head unit. We have this one but there are many others: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B4CBKNTT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It has worked well so far - be sure to have it plugged in before you start the vehicle or it will have trouble connecting to your phone.

I was having lots of issues. Things got a bit better using a new Apple store cable but it still dropped out about every 10 miles and I had to unplug then plug back in. I got this wireless device and have not had it drop out even once !! It is also much nicer to use with no cable and it auto connects to my phone as soon as I start the van really quick. It is a must have as far as I am concerned.

jimiray

· #55 · 18 d ago

Just got my Metris Getaway back after 3 days to complete the 30,000 service and troubleshooting radio issues. Tech stated that SiriusXM performed to factory specs but there was an issue with the USB module for CarPlay and a new unit was ordered and to be replaced under warranty. Unfortunately no software update at this time for CarPlay issues. I was comparing Sirius reception to my 2013 Acura which worked fine unless I was in a ravine or large rock cut. Guess it is just something to get used to. Also I had recently transferred service from my previous vehicle to the Metris so that may have had something to do with it. I purchased the vehicle used and mentioned in my first post that the windshield had a weird distortion looking through it. MB service agreed and will be replacing the windshield also. Perhaps that may be the cause of flaky radio reception since it houses the antenna also. Too bad it doesn't recognize my iPod nano or 5th gen classic. Anybody know which iPod works? Love the sound from the audio chips in these iPods. The manual states that it supports iPods but not which one. Right now it is a new to me vehicle only owned for a month. Perhaps I expected too much in the advances of technology eight years on from my former vehicle. Lots of posts about replacing the head unit but not ready for that project just yet. Bank account still recouping from 30,000 mile service.

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pounce

· #56 · 18 d ago

The aux port is there so you should be able to use anything with a plug.

jimiray

· #57 · 18 d ago

I have tried both iPods in the USB port below the phone input. I either get a device not recognized or device is not compatible message. I'll have to wait until the module is replaced to see if they work then. I was curious to see if anyone out there has been able to connect their iPod and what model works.

pounce

· #58 · 18 d ago

jimiray said:
I have tried both iPods in the USB port below the phone input. I either get a device not recognized or device is not compatible message. I'll have to wait until the module is replaced to see if they work then. I was curious to see if anyone out there has been able to connect their iPod and what model works.

Do you have a round aux port like a headphone jack? That's what I'm talking about. Takes anything that does audio.

jimiray

· #59 · 18 d ago

Unfortunately no. Only the 2 USB ports to the left of the screen as far as I can see.

BlauBlitzen2016

· #60 · 17 d ago

I Wonder if an ADC would work. Doubt it.

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