How do I play music through my Mercedes C-Class?

There are several different ways to play music in a Mercedes C-Class. You can use the built-in radio and CD player, connect external devices via Bluetooth, USB, or auxiliary input, use pre-installed apps like Mercedes Me Connect to access streaming services, or play music stored on your phone. The C-Class sound system provides high quality audio from different sources so you can listen to all your music on the go.

In this guide, we’ll go over the various built-in and connected entertainment options in the Mercedes C-Class. We’ll provide instructions for using the radio, CD player, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, streaming apps, voice controls, and more. We’ll also discuss how to adjust sound settings to optimize the listening experience. With so many ways to play music, you’ll be able to easily enjoy your favorite tunes in your Mercedes C-Class.

Using the Built-In Radio

The built-in radio in your C-Class allows you to easily access locally broadcast AM and FM radio stations.

Turning on the radio

To turn on the radio, press the power button below the central display (or simply press the dial knob or volume knob if the display is already on). You’ll see the radio screen appear on the central display once powered on.

Changing stations

To change the station, rotate the dial knob below the central display left or right to tune to the frequency you want. The frequency will update in the display as you tune.

You can also use the hotkey preset buttons beneath the dial knob to jump directly to your saved presets.

Saving presets

To save a station as a preset, tune to the desired station, then press and hold one of the numerical preset buttons. The station will then be saved to that preset for easy access later. You can save up to 30 AM and 30 FM presets.

Connecting a Phone via Bluetooth

To connect a phone to the Mercedes C-Class via Bluetooth, you will first need to pair the phone with the car. This only needs to be done once, as the infotainment system will store the Bluetooth device pairing for future connections.

Here are the steps to pair a phone to the C-Class via Bluetooth:

1. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on your phone. Go to the Settings and enable Bluetooth.
2. With the car ignition on and the infotainment system on, press the phone button on your steering wheel (source). The system will jump into the Bluetooth pairing menu.
3. On your phone, search for available Bluetooth devices. Select your Mercedes C-Class from the list to initiate pairing.
4. The infotainment system will show a pairing code. Ensure this code matches the one shown on your phone. Confirm on both devices to complete pairing.

Once your phone is paired and connected via Bluetooth, you can select Bluetooth as an audio source in your C-Class. The instructions are:

1. Press the audio button on the center console.
2. Navigate to the Media menu using the infotainment controls.
3. Select Bluetooth as the audio source. This will play from any media app running on your connected phone.

Connecting a Phone via USB

Since the Mercedes C-Class has a built-in USB port, you can easily connect your phone to play music through the vehicle’s speakers using a USB charging cable. Here’s how to connect your phone and select USB as the audio source:

First, locate the USB port inside your vehicle’s center console or dashboard area. It should be clearly labeled with the USB symbol. Take your phone’s USB charging cable and connect one end to your phone, and the other end to the USB port.

Once your phone is securely connected, you will need to select USB as the audio source. To do this:

1. Navigate to the media center on your dashboard console.

2. Select “Media” or “Source” to view audio source options.

3. Choose “USB” as the audio option.

After setting USB as the audio source, you can now play music and media files directly from your phone over the vehicle’s sound system. The car may also begin charging your connected phone automatically while playing audio.

You can control playback functionality like start/stop and track skipping directly through your phone as it will function similarly as when headphones are connected. Control audio volume levels using the volume knob or buttons as you would normally for other media sources.

Using the CD Player

To play a CD in your Mercedes C-Class, first locate the CD slot which is usually above or below the center dashboard display screen. Gently insert your disc with the label side facing up. Inserting the CD will automatically start playback on most models.

Once your CD is playing you have several controls options:

• Press the ^ and v buttons on the left side of the display screen to change tracks forward or back.
• Select the Media button on the center console, then select the CD/DVD icon to open the CD playback menu. Here you can browse tracks, change media source, adjust sound, enable shuffle or repeat, and more.
• Use the steering wheel controls to adjust volume, change tracks, and access voice controls for hands-free playback commands.
• Press the Pause button below the center console display to temporarily halt playback.

Check your owner’s manual for additional information on using the CD player, including loading preferences, connecting external CD changers, error messages, and other troubleshooting tips.

Connecting External Devices

External audio devices, like Bluetooth speakers or a portable music player, can be connected to your Mercedes C-Class through Bluetooth or the AUX input.

To pair a Bluetooth device:

1. Go to the Bluetooth section in your C-Class’s COMAND system
2. Put your Bluetooth device into pairing mode and start the process from the car interface
3. The car should detect the device and prompt you to pair
4. Confirm the pairing from both your audio device and the car interface

Once paired, your external Bluetooth device will automatically connect when you turn on your car. You can then play audio from that device through your Mercedes C-Class’s speakers.

For a wired connection, there is an AUX input in the center console of most C-Class models. You’ll need a 3.5mm auxiliary cable to connect your portable media player or smartphone to play audio through your car’s sound system.

Using Streaming Apps

One of the most convenient ways to play music in your Mercedes C-Class is by connecting streaming apps like Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, etc. This allows you to access your personal music libraries and streaming stations directly through the vehicle’s infotainment system.

To connect a streaming app:

1. Make sure your phone is paired to the C-Class via Bluetooth or USB. Bluetooth pairing allows you to access the apps wirelessly, while a USB connection provides wired access.
2. On the C-Class infotainment system, access the Mercedes me connect menu and select “Online Music” (1). This connects to the Mercedes me ecosystem and logs into your connected streaming apps.
3. Select your preferred streaming app like Spotify, Pandora, etc. and browse content to pick music to play.
4. Use the touchscreen display or steering wheel controls to play/pause, skip tracks, adjust volume and more.

Online Music allows you to directly access your personal music library and streaming stations for a seamless listening experience. The streaming data usage is included as part of your Mercedes me connect subscription.

Adjusting Sound Settings

You can customize the sound settings in your Mercedes C-Class by adjusting the bass, treble, balance, and EQ presets.

To change the bass, treble, and balance, go to your audio settings on the center control display by pressing the car icon and selecting “sound.” Then move the sliders left or right to decrease or increase the bass, treble, and balance to your liking (1).

You can also select from several EQ sound presets like “balanced,” “bass heavy,” or “treble boost” to optimize the audio system for different genres of music (2).

Enabling the surround sound feature will make the music sound more spatial and immersive. Try different combinations of settings to find what sounds best for your tastes and style of music (3).

Sources:

(1) https://www.reddit.com/r/mercedes_benz/comments/v1s0pi/sound_setting_preference_whats_yours/
(2) https://www.reddit.com/r/mercedes_benz/comments/v1s0pi/sound_setting_preference_whats_yours/
(3) https://www.reddit.com/r/mercedes_benz/comments/v1s0pi/sound_setting_preference_whats_yours/

Steering Wheel and Voice Controls

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has controls right on the steering wheel that allow you to easily manage the audio system without taking your hands off the wheel. Here are some of the key controls:

• Volume buttons – There are + and – buttons on the back of the steering wheel that control the volume up and down.
• Track skip buttons – You can tap the up and down arrows to skip to the next or previous track.
• Mode button – This cycles through the different audio sources like radio, Bluetooth streaming, CD, etc.

In addition to the buttons, Mercedes-Benz C-Class models equipped with the latest MBUX infotainment system support voice commands. Just press the voice control button on the steering wheel and say commands like:

• “Play ‘Artist name'”
• “Play next song”
• “Turn up the volume”

You can control music playback, switch modes, tune radio stations, and more. The system can understand natural speech without having to memorize specific prompts.

Using the steering wheel controls and voice commands makes it easy to manage the C-Class audio system while keeping your focus on the road.

Troubleshooting Issues

Here are some common problems and solutions for troubleshooting issues with the audio system in a Mercedes C-Class:

If there is no sound coming from the speakers, first check that the volume is turned up and the system is not muted. Press the volume knob to unmute if needed. Also verify that all speaker connections are secure and no wires are damaged (source).

After a battery replacement, the radio may need to be reset. Consult the owner’s manual for reset instructions. Sometimes this involves entering a radio code (source).

For bluetooth connectivity issues, check that the phone and car bluetooth are paired properly. You may need to delete the pairing and re-pair the phone. Also try resetting the Mercedes radio and your phone.

As a last resort, you can consult a Mercedes service center to fully diagnose and resolve persistent radio problems.