1. How can I connect with the car?
A diagnostic device is the interface that connects your PC to the car, and will let you perform the codings.
There are multiple ones to choose from, depending on your budget and needs. The ones below have been tested and are known to work, but other diagnostic devices might work as well.
It is a matter of downloading the app below, install the drivers, and if the connection to your vehicle is successful, you are good to go.
Tactrix Openport 2.0 (CAN only)
Prices from: 49 €
A budget oriented device. Can do most codings, but it's not recommended for flashing.
BMW Enet (DoIP only)
Prices from: 30 €
Suitable for coding Carplay, flashing headunits, coding newer Star3 vehicles (w206, w223, etc)
VCX SE - (CAN and DoIP)
Prices from: 280 €
A budget diagnostic device that supports flashing and coding all sorts of control units, including DoIP hardware.
Bosch C6 (CAN and DoIP)
Prices from: 1675 €
Genuine hardware - the best options to consider, for power users.
The listed devices are sold by our trusted partner Emtronika
2. Download the MBTools app
To be able to fully enjoy the benefits of MBTools, you will need to fulfill the following requirements:
- A Windows 10 or 11 PC
- A reliable internet connection, throughout the whole time using the MBTools app.
- You will be able to set up the app and the drivers, but the paid activation and coding buttons will only become available once you have made the purchase, at step 3.
- If you have the MBTools app running, while making the purchase, please be sure to restart it afterwards, so that your permissions are refreshed, and the buttons become available.
Check the video below for a demo of how the activation works
3. Check by VIN, see what codings are offered for your vehicle, and apply them
Easily find available do-it-yourself Mercedes coding activations for your specific vehicle by entering your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). Experiment and customize with a 1-hour grace period to perfect your settings. For comprehensive Mercedes coding lifetime solutions, visit our Promotions Page. Need assistance? Our support staff also offer set-up and activation remote assistance for an additional fee.
Enter your VIN to see available codings
Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz A 250 4MATIC Sedan - Pre-facelift
Chassis: w177
Find all possible control units this car might have
Please note:
- If after checking, you don't find the coding you're looking for, listed below, it means we don't currently offer it, please do not ask for it, the answer will be the same.
- VIN check functionality is subject to Third-Party Server availability.
- This page displays the available codings we have to offer for your vehicle. To check which option codes and equipment your car already comes with, please consult our free VIN decoder
4. Video guide showing how our tool works
The following video is a good example of how our tool works, and it was created by one of our satisfied user AmazingRoad who offers services to end-customers, using our program.
Instrument Cluster AMG Menu
Description
Activate the AMG menu on the car, and customize it to show Water and Gearbox temperatures
It is possible to customize it with a 280km/h, 300km/h, 330km/h or 360km/h speed dial.
The coding procedure takes 5 minutes.
Considerations
Please note that flashing the unit might be needed.
If that is the case, a DoIP compatible VCI is required.
Going through the flashing procedure might be a bit more challenging, for most users, as you will also need to have DTS Monaco installed and configured.
The needed flash files are included and provided.
Installation and configuration of DTS Monaco is optionally provided by our individual partners, on request.
One-time activation price: 150 €
Headunit/Navi AMG Boot Logo
Description
Display the AMG or Maybach boot logo on your headunit.
Considerations
This is a headunit coding, and comes together with all the other headunit codings (meaning you don't need to purchase each of them individually, they are all included in the price).
Please do not confuse this with the AMG menu on your instrument cluster, that needs to be bought and coded separately!
One-time activation price: 100 €
Headunit/Navi AMG Car Design
Description
Enhance the look of the car displayed in the headunit, to appear with the AMG bodykit.
Considerations
This is a headunit coding, and comes together with all the other headunit codings (meaning you don't need to purchase each of them individually, they are all included in the price).
The ability to change the car design image is subject to availability within the headunit's current firmware.
One-time activation price: 100 €
Headunit/Navi YouTube in Motion
Description
These cars come equipped with access to internet, through internet borwsers, similarly as you access the internet on your PC.
Through this browser, if you also have internet connection, you can access websites such as YouTube, and watch videos.
Applying this coding will allow the video playback to continue even while the vehicle is moving.
Considerations
This is a headunit coding, and comes together with all the other headunit codings (meaning you don't need to purchase each of them individually, they are all included in the price).
This will not enable video in motion, for media such as SD cards or USB flash drives.
One-time activation price: 100 €
Headunit/Navi Mobile Phone Tethering
Description
When you enable this, the car will no longer use the integrated Internet provider.
Instead it will give you the possibility of tethering the internet from the shared connection of your phone.
If your phone has good signal, and has access to 5G network, the connection will be much faster and much more stable, because these cars can only get signals from 4G networks.
Considerations
This is a headunit coding, and comes together with all the other headunit codings (meaning you don't need to purchase each of them individually, they are all included in the price).
Please notice that this feature will not work with imported cars, from UK to Thailand.
Enabling the hotspot functionality will not inherently enable the Mercedes ME integration if your car doesn't support it, and neither the OTA firmware updates from Mercedes Server.
If the internet does not normally work on your car, enabling this will not bypass that restriction.
One-time activation price: 100 €
Headunit/Navi Energizing Comfort
Description
The energizing comfort is a Premium Mercedes feature, that integrates the various systems that the car has.
Depending on the features your car has, it can enable relaxation programs, that will integrate the climate control, ambient light, massaging seat, seat cooling, seat heating, etc.
Considerations
This is a headunit coding, and comes together with all the other headunit codings (meaning you don't need to purchase each of them individually, they are all included in the price).
One-time activation price: 100 €
Headunit/Navi Radio Frequency Change
Description
Modify the Radio Frequency, select between USA, EU, Japan, Australia, China, South America frequencies
Considerations
This is a headunit coding, and comes together with all the other headunit codings (meaning you don't need to purchase each of them individually, they are all included in the price).
One-time activation price: 100 €
Disable the engine Start/Stop
Description
This activation comes free of charge.
The Start/Stop feature has been originally implemented to save fuel, however, over time, people reported that they started having premature battery and engine wear problems because of it.
This feature will let you save the Last Mode of the Start/Stop functionality. This means that the Start/Stop functionality will keep the status even after turning the car off then on again.
Please note that free codings come 'as is', with no support. Make sure to manually backup your codings in the MBTools app, should you want to revert back to them, later.
This coding is offered for free