What format does the Mercedes ML350 USB drive support?
3 Answers
The Mercedes GLC USB drive supports MP3 and WAV format songs, with WAV format supporting lossless music. Functions of the USB interface: The USB interface is a type of in-car transmission cable that offers advantages such as fast transmission speed, ease of use, support for hot-swapping, flexible connectivity, and independent power supply. It is generally a universal interface for plugging in USB devices like USB drives and MP3 players. The main purpose of the USB interface in cars is to utilize the vehicle's standard power supply, using USB as the interface to charge DC-5V electrical devices or serve as a fixed power supply interface for electrical appliances. The USB interface in cars can be used to plug in USB drives for playing music, charge mobile phones and MP3 players, serve as a USB car cigarette lighter interface, function as an interface for radar detectors and dash cams, and charge computers and tablets. Precautions for using the USB interface: Charging should only be done when the car's engine is running to avoid damage to electrical devices due to unstable power supply. Avoid connecting too many electrical devices to prevent overloading and damaging the car battery and alternator. Do not use the USB interface during thunderstorms to avoid lightning strike accidents. Avoid using the USB interface in humid environments, as rust or water stains may prevent the USB drive from connecting properly.
I've just researched USB support for the Mercedes ML350, and it's generally best to use FAT32 format due to its strong compatibility and fast system reading speed. Older vehicles sometimes don't support exFAT or NTFS, so simply select the FAT32 option when formatting on your computer. Keep the USB drive capacity moderate, preferably under 16GB, as older systems may struggle with larger storage. Avoid placing files in too many nested folders; it's safest to directly drop music files like MP3 or WMA into the root directory. If recognition fails, check that the USB drive isn't damaged and restart the car's media system. Mercedes official documentation also recommends FAT32 for its simplicity and prevention of lag issues, ensuring smoother in-car entertainment.
As someone who has driven a Mercedes ML350, my experience is that the USB drive must be in FAT32 format. I tried NTFS, but nothing happened when I plugged it in, which made me waste a trip to the repair shop. When formatting the drive on a computer, right-click and select Format, then choose FAT32, making sure the capacity doesn’t exceed 32GB. MP3 is the most common music file format—I put some old songs in it, and the system handled them smoothly. Remember not to plug the USB into the wrong port, and after formatting, avoid randomly changing file names so the system reads them faster. These small tips save trouble and bring peace of mind, making it super convenient to play music in the car while cruising with friends.
