How to Activate the Voice Wake-up Function in Mercedes-Benz?
4 Answers
Locate the button on the right side of the Mercedes-Benz steering wheel. The button with a small human head icon is the voice control trigger key. Finally, press the voice control trigger key to activate the voice function.
Using the voice function in a Mercedes-Benz is actually quite simple, as most new models support two methods. The most straightforward way is to say the wake-up phrase 'Hey, Mercedes'—just remember to speak clearly in Mandarin and ensure the car interior isn’t too noisy. There’s also a dedicated voice button on the left side of the steering wheel with a microphone icon; pressing it activates the feature. Last year, when helping my brother set up his GLC, I noticed a detail: you can adjust the voice sensitivity in the vehicle settings. If the system frequently fails to respond, you can increase the sensitivity under 'Settings > System > Voice Control.' Once you get used to it, it’s incredibly convenient—for example, you can simply say 'Navigate to the airport' without taking your hands off the wheel.
When I first picked up the car, the salesperson personally taught me this feature. There's a button with a phone icon in the left functional area of the Mercedes steering wheel—a short press activates the voice system. Additionally, the initial vehicle settings need to permit voice permissions; go to 'Settings-System' on the central control screen and turn on the 'Voice Control' switch. A friend who drives an S-Class shared that waiting for the 'ding' sound after activation before speaking improves recognition accuracy. If you've changed the system language, remember to check if the voice package matches. Mercedes' system can also learn voiceprints, becoming more accurate with prolonged use. Checking the weather or changing songs while driving is much safer now.
The most reliable way to activate Mercedes voice control is via the steering wheel button - the one easily reachable by your left thumb. Position may vary slightly across models; on my E-Class it's located above the left spoke. You can also directly say "Hey Mercedes", but may need to open windows slightly or speak louder in well-insulated models. Pro tip: I noticed higher activation rates when the sunroof is slightly open during rainy days. Note this feature is enabled by default in new vehicles - if malfunction occurs, check whether you've accidentally pressed the steering wheel mute button. After infotainment system updates, it's recommended to reset voice training in the 'Vehicle Settings' menu.
