Mercedes-Benz XENTRY is a powerful diagnostic tool used by automotive professionals and enthusiasts alike. Within XENTRY, the “Active Setup” function is crucial for customizing vehicle settings, activating retrofits, and performing essential service procedures. Understanding how to effectively use Active Setup is key to unlocking the full potential of your Mercedes-Benz diagnostic capabilities. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of running Active Setup in XENTRY, optimizing your workflow and ensuring accurate vehicle configuration.
Active Setup in XENTRY allows for deep customization and configuration beyond basic diagnostics. It’s the gateway to personalizing numerous vehicle functions, from comfort features to safety systems. By accessing Active Setup, you can tailor the vehicle’s behavior to specific preferences or enable features that were not originally activated. This can range from adjusting air conditioning settings for optimal cooling to enabling advanced display options in the instrument cluster.
Running Active Setup involves navigating through the XENTRY software to locate the relevant control units and functions. After connecting XENTRY to the Mercedes-Benz vehicle, the process typically begins with vehicle identification and a quick test. This initial scan provides an overview of all installed control units, setting the stage for targeted Active Setup procedures. Once the quick test is complete, you can navigate to the “Control unit view” or similar menu within XENTRY. From there, you select the specific control unit you wish to configure.
Within each control unit, XENTRY presents various options, including “Adaptations,” “Variant Coding,” and “Parameterization.” Active Setup often falls under these categories, depending on the specific function being addressed. For example, to adjust air conditioning settings, you would navigate to the HVAC control unit and look for adaptation or parameterization options related to airflow, cooling intensity, or auxiliary heater settings. Similarly, instrument cluster customizations, such as enabling additional display pages or adjusting warning thresholds, are accessed through the instrument cluster control unit’s adaptation or variant coding menus.
Let’s explore some practical examples of Active Setup functions, drawing from common Mercedes-Benz customizations:
Comfort and Convenience Features:
Active Setup is frequently used to personalize comfort features. For instance, adjusting air conditioning behavior is a common application. You can use Active Setup to:
- Optimize Auto Fan Speed: Configure the HVAC system to display fan speed even when in Auto mode, providing visual feedback of system activity.
- Enable MAX COOL: For vehicles with Thermotronic systems, Active Setup can activate a MAX COOL function directly accessible in the display for rapid cooling in hot climates.
- Recirculation Logic: Modify the automatic recirculation setting to engage at lower speeds (e.g., below 30 km/h), enhancing cabin air quality in urban environments.
- Hot Country Settings: Switch to “Hot Country” or even “Hot Country Level 2” modes to optimize cooling performance for consistently warm climates, ensuring faster and more effective cooling.
- Defrost Fan Control: Allow manual fan speed adjustment even when defrost is activated, giving the driver more control over airflow during defrosting.
- Air Circulation Adjustments: Fine-tune the amount of basic air circulation and the positioning of outer air circulation flaps to optimize cabin ventilation.
- Defrost-Linked AC Control: Configure the system to automatically turn off the AC when defrost is activated (or conversely, keep it on), depending on desired dehumidification behavior.
- Stationary Heater Customization: Set the stationary heater setting to “custom” for tailored pre-heating schedules and operation.
Instrumentation and Display Enhancements:
Active Setup also enables customization of the instrument cluster display, allowing for more information and personalized visuals:
- Fuel Tank Capacity Display: Activate the display of the fuel tank’s capacity within the instrument cluster, providing a clear indication of fuel volume.
- Additional Date/Time Display: Add a secondary page to the instrument cluster dedicated to displaying date and time, enhancing information at a glance.
- Navigation/Telephone Menu Activation (Retrofit): After retrofitting navigation or telephone modules, Active Setup can activate the corresponding menus within the instrument cluster and COMAND system.
- Seat Belt Warning Deactivation: Disable the seat belt warning chime and/or symbol if desired (though safety regulations should always be considered).
- Trailer Loss Warning: Activate a warning system that alerts the driver if a trailer becomes detached while driving.
- Tire Size Adjustment: Recalibrate the distance coefficient in the instrument cluster after changing tire sizes to maintain accurate speedometer and odometer readings.
- Diesel Pre-glow Pictogram: Enable the diesel pre-glow pictogram on diesel engine vehicles for visual confirmation of pre-heating during cold starts.
- Fuel Reserve Warning Adjustment: Modify the behavior of the “Please Refill” warning, such as deactivating it when reaching half of the tank reserve.
- Engine Fault Pictogram Activation: Ensure the engine fault pictogram is activated to provide visual warnings of engine malfunctions.
- Battery Control Unit Warning: Activate or deactivate warnings from the battery control unit, depending on desired comfort function level.
- Power Lock Emergency Unlock Pictogram: Enable or disable the pictogram indicating “Power Lock Emergency Unlock Active” after an accident or rollover.
- Particle Filter Deactivation (Diesel – Off-road/Track use only): In specific scenarios (and where legally permitted), Active Setup can deactivate the particle filter display (note: this may have legal and environmental implications and should be done with extreme caution and only when appropriate).
- Curvmatic Activation: Enable “Curvmatic,” a feature that provides verbal and visual warnings when approaching curves too fast (requires Navigation/CI).
- Audio Menu Control: Configure the audio menu to allow station or frequency changes using the steering wheel up/down buttons for enhanced control.
- Fold-in Mirror Menu Activation (MY2005): Activate the “Fold-in Mirror” menu on older vehicles (e.g., MY2005) if this feature was retrofitted or not initially activated.
- Fuel Consumption Display Adjustment: Calibrate the fuel consumption display for improved accuracy.
- “Remove Key” and “Switch Lights Off” Warning Deactivation: Disable the “Remove Key” and “Switch Lights Off” pictograms and/or warning beeps if they become intrusive.
- “SOS Warning Message” Deactivation: Deactivate the “SOS Warning Message” in specific situations where it might be unnecessary or repetitive.
- Power Spikes Pictogram Activation: Enable the “power spikes pictogram” for visual indication of voltage fluctuations.
Safety and Security Enhancements:
Active Setup extends to safety and security features, allowing for adjustments to the anti-theft alarm system and other safety-related functionalities:
- Anti-Theft Alarm Activation (Retrofit): After installing an aftermarket or genuine Mercedes-Benz alarm system, Active Setup is essential to activate and integrate it with the vehicle’s electronics.
- Alarm Country Settings: Adapt the alarm system’s behavior to specific country regulations or preferences.
- Alarm Buzzer Volume Adjustment: Modify the volume of the alarm buzzer for optimal audibility.
- Lock/Unlock Buzzer Volume and Beep Count: Customize the volume and number of beeps for lock and unlock confirmations, tailoring the audible feedback to personal preferences.
- Incorrect Door Closure Warning: Configure a specific beep pattern to indicate when the vehicle is locked but a door is not properly closed.
- Interior Motion Sensor Deactivation (Rain Closing): Automatically deactivate the interior motion sensor when the sunroof closes automatically due to rain, preventing false alarms.
- Tire Pressure Loss Warning Activation: Enable the tire pressure loss warning system for enhanced safety monitoring.
Lighting and Visibility Improvements:
Active Setup also plays a role in customizing vehicle lighting behavior:
- Rear Fog Light Activation: Activate both rear fog lights for increased visibility in foggy conditions (depending on regional regulations).
- Cornering Lights Activation: Enable cornering lights on compatible models (e.g., MY2004 and newer) to improve visibility during повороты.
- Low Beam Turn-On Timing: Adjust the sensitivity or timing of the automatic low beam activation at dawn, tailoring it to local light conditions.
- Footwell Light Brightness (Driving): Customize the brightness of the footwell lights while driving (on Elegance and Avantgarde trim levels).
- Euro Headlight/Taillight Activation on Unlock: Enable Euro-spec headlight and taillight activation upon unlocking the car for a distinct visual signature.
- Headlight Cleaning System Interval: Adjust the interval of the headlight cleaning system to optimize washer fluid usage.
Vehicle Dynamics and Performance Adjustments:
For vehicles equipped with systems like AIRmatic and ESP, Active Setup provides configuration options for ride and handling:
- AIRmatic Lowering and Calibration: Lower the vehicle’s ride height via AIRmatic settings and calibrate the system if the car is uneven or after suspension work.
- ESP/Brake System Modes (SBC-S/SBC-H): Enable specific ESP/Brake modes like SBC-S and SBC-H (depending on vehicle equipment and application).
Engine and Drivetrain Modifications (Advanced):
For advanced users and specific scenarios (like track use or modifications with aftermarket parts), Active Setup can interact with engine control parameters:
- Catalytic Converter Deactivation (Sports Catalytic Converter): When installing a sports catalytic converter (where legally permitted and for off-road/track use only), Active Setup can deactivate monitoring of the original catalytic converter.
- Secondary Lambda Sensor Deactivation (Sports Catalytic Converter): Similarly, deactivate the secondary lambda sensor monitoring if a sports catalytic converter is installed.
- Mass Average Adaptation Data Reset (OM642): Reset “Mass Average Adaptation Data” on OM642 engines after air filter replacement to ensure accurate air mass readings.
- Throttle Valve Initialization: Initialize the throttle valve after replacement to ensure proper engine operation.
- MAX SPEED Increase (AMG): On AMG models, Active Setup might allow increasing the electronic speed limiter to higher values (e.g., 160 mph), although legal speed limits must always be respected.
Other Useful Active Setup Functions:
- Parktronic Volume Adjustment: Change the volume of the Parktronic parking sensor system to suit driver preference.
- Rain Sensor Recalibration: Recalibrate the rain sensor for optimal windshield wiper performance.
- SBC Brake Counter Reset: Reset the SBC brake counter after brake system maintenance (requires specific procedures and caution).
- Seat Ventilation “Summer Opening”: Activate “Summer Opening” for seat ventilation on driver and passenger seats, automatically initiating ventilation when the vehicle is started in hot conditions.
Important Considerations:
While Active Setup offers extensive customization, it’s crucial to use it responsibly and with proper knowledge. Incorrect modifications can lead to unexpected vehicle behavior or system malfunctions. It is highly recommended to:
- Consult XENTRY documentation and training materials: Thoroughly understand the function you are modifying before making changes.
- Back up vehicle settings before making changes: XENTRY often provides options to save the original vehicle configuration, allowing for easy reversal if needed.
- Exercise caution and proceed step-by-step: Make changes incrementally and test the results thoroughly after each adjustment.
- Seek professional guidance if unsure: If you are not confident in performing Active Setup procedures, consult a qualified Mercedes-Benz technician or specialist.
By understanding how to run Active Setup in XENTRY and utilizing its capabilities responsibly, you can significantly enhance the functionality, personalization, and diagnostic potential of your Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
