Lost my temper - ature

[Ferrycraigs]

Hi, just changed from a 03 plate W211 E 320 cdi saloon with audio 50 to a 35 plate W211 320 cdi estate with comand. In the intervening 6 mths, there have been a number of minor but good improvements, but I have suddenly lost my Outside Air Temp reading on the speedometer status bar, ie at the foot above the trip meter reading. On the old car I could change this, but on the new one, there is no sub screen on the Instrument set of menus. The car manual states there should be a status bar option screen just before the basic screen option menu, but not on mine. On the speedo, above the trip meter, it shows my speed in Km/hr, even though the car is set to miles. Not at all sure how to fix this. Have tried reseting it to factory setting, but no avail. I don't need to find the lost menu, I just need to get the speedo to show the OAT and trip reading, and once it is there, I will leave it alone.

Any technical wizards got any idea about how to fix this??

 

[saorbust]

In short - you can't. Its UK legisation. A dealer could change it using the the Star system, but I doubt you'd be able to get one to either do it, or know how to do it.

The question has been asked on here before btw.....

 

[Ferrycraigs]

Hi, thanks for the response. Without wishing to shoot the messenger, I am still slightly confused. I presume the UK legislation states UK cars must be able to see the speed in KPH as well as MPH. Well of course, you can change the speedometer setting to KPH, so am unsure why this does not suffice.

I am very much of the opinion that not having the OAT available all the time is more dangerous than having a useless KPH reading, as the OAT can warn you if the temp is at, or below freezing etc and therefore more likely to skid. Is this new legislation, I had not heard anything about it? My 03 plate could have the OAT, but not my 53 plate car, which is only 6 mths older. I know this is not your problem, and apologies for the rant, so have written to MB UK, who have given a holding response.

 

[saorbust]

Is your 03 plate car a UK car ?

 

[Ferrycraigs]

Good point! No. It was a pre-registered, and I think it came from Holland. Thanks for the hint about previous posts, which I have now found. There seems to be a view that taking out the UK spec will do the trick - but the real trick appears to be finding a dealer who is prepared to do it. I'll let you know what MB say, although I suspect they will play the strict party line.....

 

[mw_C32]

Same here this very very small thing buggs me to bits, it is far better to show outside temp than Kp/h and my wifes new A4 cab shows it all the time even my Vauxhall Van does.

Tried this with my new ML. The dealer spent at least one and a half hours trying to get the Kp/h to show outside temp, the wierd thing is that it worked whilst hooked up to their computer but as soon as it was uplugged the dash reverted back to Kp/h. Even tried to change to Netherland setting still did not work. Oh well!!!

Fortunatley they never charged me but they did seem to try really hard. Conclusion is that they needed special access codes from MB UK and were not willing to call them.

Mark

 

[Ferrycraigs]

The previous post that Saorbust referred to is at http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=24392&highlight=KPH This gives some useful info. The Vehicle regs actually state that the speedo must be capable of "indicating speed in both miles per hour and kilometers per hour, either simultaneously or, by the operation of a switch, separately, unless exempted by paras (2) and (3) of this reg [which don't apply - my emphasis].

The Dept of Tpt have indicated, in their opinion, having a speedo that can change to KPH would allow you to legally revert to showing the OAT on the status line. DC's (Milton Keynes) response having been shown the DOT reply, states that the cars have to be shipped in the KPH configuration, but that it is "perfectly legal for the customer to request the change". They further point out that it can't be done pre first registration, and also that the dealership may have to charge a nominal fee to record that the change was at the customer's request. They suggest 1p!! However, regardless of what it will actually cost, I now intend to ask my local dealer to make the change. I'll let you know.

PS Still haven't had a response from MB UK to my original question.

 

[saorbust]

Would appreciate knowing how you get on - I've wanted to have it done on my car for a while now.

 

[Ferrycraigs]

Have engaged with Customer Relations in Maastricht. Guess what. Both replies said it could not be done. Have gone back to say that cannot be correct, as my last car had it in the format required. Silence. Have just had the Quality Control Questionnaire from MB UK asking about my experience in buying the car - filled it in, and took the opportunity to enclose a letter saying that despite the simply impressive service given to my by Merc Leicester, the shine was totally taken off the experience by the mis-information given to my by MB HQ. I await their repsonse.

PS. did you know that MB's interpretation of the sale is that unless the customer is Entirely Satisfied, ie all the ticks in the right hand box, then the sale has not been successful, and the salesman is fined!! How draconian is that! Extraordinary.

 

[mw_C32]

Ferrycraigs, please keep us updated.

Mark.

 

[springer]

Re outside temperature

Hi everyone,
Just been to my local dealer in Swansea to ask for the display to be change from km/h to temperature.
They say it cannot be done ,they need special access codes.Which they dont have.
But they did say they can alter the menu structure on the main display to default to Outside temperature instead of the trip/distance display when ever you switch on the iginition.
I am going to try another dealer in Brigdend next week to see what explaintion or bulls**t they give.

 

[richard]

Hi everyone,
Just been to my local dealer in Swansea to ask for the display to be change from km/h to temperature.
They say it cannot be done ,they need special access codes.Which they dont have.

They are right. Star Diagnosis has a password that can be entered (changes every month) that allows access to factory mode, and in factory mode, star has acess to a lot of extra stuff - all in German - that allows 'UK mode' to be turned off, and enables the menus to switch between temp and speed display in that info line. I've seen it a couple of times in the past ..

I know someone who will charge around £100 to tweak that and turn on other things like 'volume' in fueltank - i.e tells you how many gallons/litres left in fuel tank aswell as how many miles left before fuel runs out.

But, the main dealers can not do it.

Cheers

R

 

[Ferrycraigs]

Richard,
even though MB have said it is permissable to be done, and that they should make a nominal charge of 1p (yeah right), I am sufficiently keen to get it done, that I don't mind paying a reasonable charge. It may well be that I have to go native to get it done, but for the moment I might continue to press one of the oldest car manufacturers to try and get it done by them. Just for interest, where about in UK does this person who can waive the magic wand reside??

PS. I am due to go to Germany in March next year, so may be able to perduade the locals, who can read the language in the special screens, to see if they can do it. In the meantime, does anyone else know of anyone in UK that might be able to make the change??

 

[SL300-24]

Mine shows the temperature...'03 car with audio 50 aps......but does not show KPH unless you change the settings.......

 

[Ferrycraigs]

Ray,
was yours an import??

Iain

 

[richard]

Ray,
was yours an import??

Iain

They changed somewhere between 52 plate and 04 plate - i.e my 52 plate SL could, my 04 couldnt until altered ..

R

 

[Ferrycraigs]

Having sent my letter in with the post sale questionnaire, they very helpfully sent the letter back to me, saying, "This was found in or of our questinnaire sae".

Very impressive MB!!

Have now written directly to MD MB Cars UK. We'll see how he responds.

 

[saorbust]

Keep going. I'm still very keen on doing it myself.

 

[saorbust]

They are right. Star Diagnosis has a password that can be entered (changes every month) that allows access to factory mode, and in factory mode, star has acess to a lot of extra stuff - all in German - that allows 'UK mode' to be turned off, and enables the menus to switch between temp and speed display in that info line. I've seen it a couple of times in the past ..

I know someone who will charge around £100 to tweak that and turn on other things like 'volume' in fueltank - i.e tells you how many gallons/litres left in fuel tank aswell as how many miles left before fuel runs out.

But, the main dealers can not do it.

Cheers

R

Interesting. Can you name this miracle individual ?

 

[Nibbo]

They changed somewhere between 52 plate and 04 plate - i.e my 52 plate SL could, my 04 couldnt until altered ..

R

My 2001 W203 C Class says you CAN change the kph to temp in the owners manual but when I tried it the screen it refers to does not even get displayed in the instrument cluster.
I asume this is disabled because its a UK model?
If that's true though, why is it printed in the UK owners manual?
I hope we can find a way around it because I want it in my display also.