Function requirements for Audio/COMAND, general
Circuit 30t ON
Transport mode not active
Audio/COMAND, general
The head unit (A26/17) is the central control unit for the entertainment and communication systems integrated into the vehicle.
The head unit acts as a gateway. The head unit routes the signals from the user interface CAN (CAN HMI) to the components of the telematics CAN (CAN A) and the Media Oriented System Transport (MOST), thereby setting up the communications interface.
The head unit communicates with the following control units over MOST:
Tuner unit (A90/4) (with code 536 (SIRIUS satellite radio), with code 537 (Digital radio (DAB)) and code 522 (Audio 20 radio))
TV tuner control unit (N143) (with code 865 (TV tuner))
Sound system amplifier control unit (N40/3) (with code 810 (Sound system)) or Advanced sound system amplifier control unit (N40/7) (with code 811 (Advanced sound system))
All the displays and menu representations for the Audio/COMAND display (A40/8) are generated by the head unit when a smartphone is not integrated.
Some applications can also be shown on the instrument cluster (A1), e.g.: Audio, telephone, navigation.
Via Ethernet, the head unit receives software uploads for all MOST subscribers from the diagnostic connector (X11/4) connected to the diagnostic unit.
The head unit contains the following subfunctions, which are described in separate documents:
Audio mode function
Speaker output function
Mobile phone system function
Video mode, function (with code 531 (COMAND APS))
Internet connection function
Voice control system function (with code 531 (COMAND APS) or with code 522 (Audio 20 radio), code 506 (Audio 20 radio NTG 5.5) and code 357 (Map navigation))
Navigation mode, function (with code 531 (COMAND APS))
Navigation mode, function (with code 357 (Map navigation))
TV mode function (with code 865 (TV tuner))
Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC), function (with code 498 (Japan version))
Engine sound, function (with engine 276.823, engine 256, engine 177 or code B63 (Sporty engine sound))
The head unit supports the following subfunctions, which are described in separate documents:
Telematics services, function (with code 360 (HERMES UMTS) or with code 362 (HERMES LTE))
Telematics services function (with code ME05 (HYBRID DRIVE 80KW VARIANT (INCLUDING PLUGIN)) or with code ME06 (Hybrid drive 60 KW variant (Including plugin)))
Emergency call system, function (with code 351 (Emergency call system (HERMES))
The head unit supports the following function that is described below:
Integration of smartphones (with code 14U (Smartphone integration package))
Integration of smartphones (with code 14U (Smartphone integration package))
The head unit enables the integration of smartphones. In order to ensure that the content is prepared in a vehicle-compatible way, only smartphone applications (apps) that have been developed for the following integration standards are supported:
CarPlay (Apple)
Android Auto (Google) (with code 17U (Google Automotive Link smartphone integration))
CarLife (Baidu) (with code 18U (Baidu CarLife smartphone integration))
To be able to use the smartphone applications, the smartphone must be connected to USB port 2 (A90/5x2) (with code 531 (COMAND APS) and except code 899 (Multifunction telephony), except code 897 (Wireless mobile phone charging)) of the multimedia connection unit (A90/5) or to the front center console USB port (X115/5) (with code 899 (Multifunction telephony), code 897 (Wireless mobile phone charging)) and the integration standard must be selected via the "Connect" menu. If automatic connection has been selected under "Settings", activation via the menu is not applicable.
The Android Auto integration standard requires a connection via Bluetooth® between the smartphone and the head unit, as well as a connection via USB (Universal Serial Bus). The connection is set up automatically.
If a smartphone is connected and the integration standard Android Auto or CarPlay is activated, the head unit is switched to a special operating mode ("Integration mode") in which not all head unit functions can be used. The following functions of the head unit are not available if Android Auto or CarPlay is activated:
Media player
Navigation (equipment dependent)
Voice control system
Telephony (with CarPlay)
The radio (AM and FM), vehicle settings and safety-related functions such as the emergency call function or the breakdown assistance (with code 360 (HERMES UMTS) or with code 362 (HERMES LTE)) can still be used in any case.
With Android Auto, the following usage restrictions apply for the telephony: Calls can only be made through the connected smartphone. Telephony with code 379 (Telephone module with Bluetooth® (SAP profile)) or code 380 (Car telephony package) is not possible.
If an integration standard is activated, the head unit supports the smartphone apps in the following manner:
Volume adaptation for all audio signals
Forwarding of control signals for the following components:
Audio/COMAND control panel (A40/9) (except code 446 (Touchpad only))
Touchpad (A105) (with code 446 (Touchpad only) or code 448 (Touchpad))
Head unit multifunction steering wheel button group (S163/2)
Accept/terminate phone call switch (S163/2s15) (as of 01.06.2018) or accept/terminate phone call button (S163/2s3) (up to 31.05.2018)
Voice control on switch and favorites switch (S163/2s17) (as of 01.06.2018) or voice control system on button (S163/2s4) (up to 31.05.2018)
Forwarding the signals from the driver hands-free system microphone (B25/20) or from the front passenger hands-free system microphone (B25/21) (e.g. for voice control or telephony)
Audio outputs (e.g. for voice control or telephony) via the speaker system or forwarding the signals to the sound system amplifier control unit (with code 810 (Sound system)) or to the Advanced sound system amplifier control unit (with code 811 (Advanced sound system))
Muting radio reception in the head unit (mute function), e.g. for smartphone telephony
Forwarding of position data (e.g. GPS signals, gyro sensor signals, wheel speed signals)
Forwarding of video signals generated by the smartphone to the Audio/COMAND display
Forwarding of status information for displaying in the instrument cluster
The smartphone applications themselves are not shown in the instrument cluster.
If the smartphone is used to make a telephone call, the head unit receives and sends the telephone signals from and to the smartphone with Android Auto via the Bluetooth® antenna (A2/91), with CarPlay via the USB connection to either the multimedia connection unit (except code 899 (Multifunction telephony) or code 897 (Wireless mobile phone charging)) or the front center console USB port (with code 899 (Multifunction telephony) or code 897 (Wireless mobile phone charging)).
Equipment variants
The following table depicts the special equipment and standard equipment (SE) in combination with the head unit and national versions.
Function/code | With code 520 (Audio 20 USB) (up to 31.05.2018) | With code 522 (Audio 20 radio) (up to 31.05.2018) | With code 506 (Audio 20 NTG 5.5 radio) | With code 531 (COMAND APS) and code 494 (USA version) | With code 531 (COMAND APS) and code 498 (Japan version) | With code 531 (COMAND APS), except code 494 (USA version) and except code 498 (Japan version) |
Two Universal Serial Bus (USB) connections | SE | SE | SE | SE | SE | SE |
Media Interface, integrated into the head unit | SE | SE | SE | SE | SE | SE |
Secure Digital (SD) card slot (in the multimedia connection unit (A90/5)) | Unavailable | SE | SE | SE | SE | SE |
Video mode | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | SE | SE | SE |
Voice control system | Unavailable | Optional (with code 357 (Map navigation)) | Optional (with code 357 (Map navigation)) | SE | SE | SE |
Navigation | Unavailable | Optional (with code 357 (Map navigation)) | Optional (with code 357 (Map navigation)) | SE | SE | SE |
Basic telephony | SE | SE | SE | SE | SE | SE |
Bluetooth® Audio | SE | SE | SE | SE | SE | SE |
Internet access | SE | SE | SE | SE | SE | SE |
WLAN hotspot | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | SE | SE | SE |
Digital Owner's Manual | SE | SE | SE | SE | SE | SE |
Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | SE | Unavailable |
Vehicle Information and Communication System (VICS) | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | SE | Unavailable |
Engine sound, function (with engine 276.823, engine 256, engine 177 or code B63 (Sporty engine sound)) | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL |
Code 14U (Smartphone integration package) | Unavailable | Unavailable | OPTIONAL | SE | SE | SE |
Code 320 (Single CD drive pre-installation) | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | Optional (as of 01.12.2017) | Unavailable | Optional (as of 01.12.2017) |
Code 351 (Emergency call system (HERMES)) | SE (special equipment) (where regionally available) | SE (special equipment) (where regionally available) | SE (special equipment) (where regionally available) | SE | SE (as of 01.06.2017) | SE (special equipment) (where regionally available) |
Code 355 (Preinstallation for navigation retrofit) | Unavailable | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Code 357 (Card navigation) | Unavailable | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Code 360 (HERMES UMTS) (Availability restricted on regional basis) (up to 31.05.2018) | SE (special equipment) (where regionally available) | SE (where regionally available) (except code 494 (USA version)) | SE (where regionally available) (except code 494 (USA version)) | Unavailable | Unavailable | SE (special equipment) (where regionally available) |
Code 362 (HERMES LTE) (limited regional availability) | Optional (where regionally available) | SE (special equipment) (with code 494 (USA version)) | SE (with code 494 (USA version) or as of 01.06.2018) | SE (special equipment) (where regionally available) | SE (as of 01.06.2017) | SE (where regionally available) as of 01.06.2018 |
Code 367 (Live Traffic Information) | Unavailable | Optional (where regionally available) (with code 357 (Map navigation)) | Optional (where regionally available) (with code 357 (Map navigation)) | SE (special equipment) (where regionally available) | Unavailable | SE (special equipment) (where regionally available) |
Code 379 (Telephone module with Bluetooth® (SAP profile)) | OPTIONAL | Optional (except CODE 494 (USA version)) | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | OPTIONAL |
Code 380 (Car telephony package) | Unavailable | Unavailable | Optional (except CODE 494 (USA version)) | Unavailable | Unavailable | OPTIONAL |
Code 386 (Comfort telephony) | OPTIONAL | Optional (except CODE 494 (USA version)) | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Code 446 (Touchpad only) | Unavailable | Unavailable | OPTIONAL | Unavailable | Unavailable | OPTIONAL |
Code 448 (Touchpad) | Unavailable | OPTIONAL | SE | SE | SE | SE |
Code 464 (Digital instrument cluster full display) | Unavailable | Unavailable | Optional (with code 868 (Media display)) | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL |
Code 518 (Media interface) | OPTIONAL | Optional (except CODE 494 (USA version)) | OPTIONAL | Unavailable | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL |
Code 536 (SIRIUS satellite radio) | Unavailable | Optional (with CODE 494 (USA version)) | Optional (with CODE 494 (USA version)) | SE | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Code 537 (Digital radio (DAB)) | Unavailable | Optional (except CODE 494 (USA version)) | Optional (except CODE 494 (USA version)) | Unavailable | Unavailable | SE |
Code 810 (Sound system) | Unavailable | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL |
Code 811 (Advanced Sound System) | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL |
code 865 (TV tuner) | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | SE | OPTIONAL |
Code 866 (Preinstallation for Rear Seat Entertainment system) | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL | OPTIONAL |
Code 868 (Media display) | Unavailable | Unavailable | OPTIONAL | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Code 897 (Wireless mobile phone charging) | Unavailable | Unavailable | OPTIONAL | Optional (with automatic transmission) | Optional (with automatic transmission) | Optional (with automatic transmission) |
Code 899 (Multifunction telephony) | Unavailable | Unavailable | Optional (except CODE 494 (USA version)) | Optional (with automatic transmission) | Optional (with automatic transmission) | Optional (with automatic transmission) |
Audio/COMAND operating instructions | |||
Audio mode, function | |||
Speaker output function | |||
Mobile phone system, function | |||
Video mode, function | Model 213 | ||
Internet connection function | |||
Voice control, function | Model 213 | ||
Navigation, function | Model 213 | ||
Navigation mode, function | Model 213 | ||
TV-mode, function | Model 213 | ||
Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC), function | Model 213 | ||
Engine sound, function | Model 213 with engine 177 | ||
Telematics services function | Model 213 | ||
Hybrid vehicle telematics services, function | Model 213 | ||
Emergency call system, function | Model 213 |