Many Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 owners, especially those with the 2015 model, often wonder if it’s possible to upgrade their system to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. If you’re one of them, you might have been told by your local dealership that it’s not feasible for your vehicle. However, based on personal experience, it is indeed possible to retrofit these smartphone integration features, even on a late 2015 build. This guide shares a journey of successfully adding Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to a 2015 Mercedes CLA 250, highlighting the steps and potential hurdles you might encounter.
Initially, upon inquiring at a local Mercedes-Benz dealership about enabling smartphone integration, the response was discouraging. The service advisor stated unequivocally that Android Auto and CarPlay were not supported and could not be enabled on the 2015 CLA 250 model. Undeterred by this negative feedback, the journey to achieve smartphone integration continued.
The first step taken was purchasing a genuine Mercedes-Benz Smartphone Integration Package from eBay. Believing this package would be sufficient, it was installed personally. Unfortunately, after installation, neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto functionality was activated. This indicated that simply installing the hardware package was not enough to enable these features.
Further research led to the discovery of OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) modules that claimed to activate CarPlay and Android Auto. An eBay seller specializing in these modules was contacted. After providing the vehicle identification number (VIN), the seller confirmed that the 2015 CLA 250 was indeed capable of supporting smartphone integration. However, they pointed out a critical detail: the firmware needed to be updated. The seller suggested that dealerships might sometimes incorrectly state that firmware is up to date.
Acting on this information, a return visit was made to the original Mercedes-Benz dealership, this time specifically requesting a firmware update. To avoid direct confrontation and potential pushback, the request was framed around resolving other issues, such as Bluetooth call drops and USB drive reading problems. Surprisingly, the dealership confirmed that a firmware update was indeed necessary. They proceeded with the update and also updated the navigation maps, all free of charge. However, when asked directly, they still maintained that CarPlay and Android Auto were not compatible.
Despite the dealer’s continued denial of compatibility, hope remained. The OBD module from the eBay seller was purchased. After the firmware update at the dealership, the OBD module was plugged in. To everyone’s delight, it worked! Apple CarPlay immediately sprang to life, confirming that the key to enabling smartphone integration on the 2015 Mercedes CLA 250 was indeed the firmware update, coupled with the activation module.
In conclusion, while it may require persistence and navigating conflicting information, enabling Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on a 2015 Mercedes CLA 250 is achievable. The crucial steps are ensuring your vehicle’s firmware is updated – possibly requiring a visit to a dealership that is willing to perform this update – and utilizing an OBD activation module. Don’t be discouraged by initial negative responses; with the right approach, you can successfully bring modern smartphone integration to your 2015 Mercedes CLA 250.
