# Mercedes Map Update Guide Canonical URL: https://mbretrofit.it/guides/map-code Description: Update your Mercedes navigation maps without the dealer. VIN-based PIN, activation code, and license key generator for COMAND and MBUX, from NTG3.5 to Gen20x. Update your Mercedes navigation maps yourself, without a dealer visit. You prepare a USB stick with the official Mercedes Download Manager, start the update in the car, then enter a map license key that matches your VIN. A dealer charges €250 to €500 for that key. Our price per code is in [Pricing](#pricing) below. Enter your VIN into any form on this site, or the one below, and we match your car to its NTG generation. NTG is the name of your car's built-in infotainment system, the head unit behind the dashboard screen, sold as COMAND on older cars and MBUX on newer ones. Every NTG version has [its own guide](#pick-your-ntg-generation). ## Watch the update from start to finish The video below covers the whole process, from making the USB to entering the code in the car. A video walkthrough is available on the canonical page. ## Four steps to update your Mercedes map 1. **[Download DLM](/guides/map-code/dlm)**. The official Mercedes-Benz Download Manager. 2. **Make the USB.** Pick the right NTG, region, version, and filesystem. 3. **Insert it in the car.** Start the update and wait for the Map License Key prompt. 4. **Generate the code below.** Enter your VIN and the map details, pay, paste into the car. DLM needs two separate 64 GB storage locations. Keep at least 64 GB free on your Windows system drive (usually C:) for temporary files, and use a USB or SD card of 64 GB or larger. A large, empty USB will not prevent the "not enough space" error when C: is full. The full walkthrough, with a screenshot of each screen you'll see, is [further down this page](#how-to-update-your-mercedes-map). Enter your VIN in the map-code flow to confirm the compatible navigation system, region, and version. ## Check what your car needs Pick your NTG generation and region below. The checker lists the map versions available for your car and the USB format it needs. Use the VIN-guided checker on the canonical page before preparing the map USB. Create the USB first. The code matches a specific map version and region. Generate it before the car prompts you and you risk paying for the wrong key. ## How to update your Mercedes map * Create the USB with the [DLM](/guides/map-code/dlm), following the guide for your [NTG generation](#pick-your-ntg-generation). ![Mercedes Download Manager interface showing a navigation map update for COMAND](/dlm.png) [Download Mercedes Download Manager (DLM)](https://dm.mercedes-benz-customer-solutions.com/downloadmanager/comand/updates/Download_Manager_COMAND_Hard-disc_navigation.exe) * Insert the USB into your car. It should prompt you that a new software update is available. Image reference: NTG5.5 software update screen. Image reference: NTG5.5 map update found prompt. * Buy the map code. Create a free account at [mbretrofit.it](https://mbretrofit.it), then enter your 17-character VIN, your region (read it off the data card, not your country), and your NTG version. NTG3.5 through NTG5.5 and Aston Martin NTG5\*2 codes are generated automatically. NTG6, NTG7, Gen20x, and Aston Martin NTG5.5 are written by hand, so they take 20 minutes to 3 hours on weekdays between 10:00 and 17:00 CEST, and arrive the next working day if you order outside those hours. Start right here: Enter your VIN in the map-code flow to confirm the compatible navigation system, region, and version. Image reference: Map License Key prompt on NTG5.5. The car shows a prompt like this one for the code. * Follow the steps on your car and enter the code when it asks for the Map License Key. * The map installs on its own once the car accepts the code. Allow 30 minutes on NTG4.5, 45 to 75 minutes on NTG6, and 60 to 90 minutes on NTG7. Image reference: NTG5.5 map update installation progress. ## Common errors when updating Mercedes maps Most failed updates come down to one of four things. * **"Not enough space".** DLM usually means the Windows system drive (normally C:), where it stages the download. Keep at least 64 GB free there as well as using a separate 64 GB+ USB. * **USB not recognized.** Wrong filesystem. Let DLM reformat the stick for your NTG. * **"License key invalid".** The code doesn't match the VIN, map version, or region. Recheck those on the car screen before you generate. * **"Update cancelled".** The engine was off, or the car went to sleep during the install. Keep the car running. The install runs 45 to 75 minutes on NTG6 and 60 to 90 minutes on NTG7. Each generation has its own quirks too. The [guide for your NTG](#pick-your-ntg-generation) covers model-specific fixes, and the [DLM guide](/guides/map-code/dlm) covers USB and download errors. For any other error, email [contact@mbretrofit.it](mailto:contact@mbretrofit.it) with a photo of the error and the car screen, and we'll work through it with you. ## Which countries your map update covers The [Map Coverage](/guides/map-code/coverage) page lists the countries included in each map package, per NTG generation and region. ## What is a Mercedes navigation code? A Mercedes navigation code, also called a map license key, map activation code, or Navi PIN, unlocks new map data for your COMAND or MBUX. It's tied to one VIN, one map version, and one region, so you can't reuse it on another car. When you run a manual map update from USB, the car reads the data, then asks for the code. No code, no install. You can buy the code from your Mercedes dealer for €250 to €500, or generate it yourself here at the price in [Pricing](#pricing) below. The car doesn't care where the code came from, only that it matches the VIN, region, and map version. ## Why Mercedes charges so much for a map update Mercedes pays a licensing fee for the map data, then resells the activation through dealers. Most of the €250 to €500 dealer price is margin and labor, not the license. Older COMAND and MBUX cars (NTG3.5 through NTG6) don't get free over-the-air updates, so a manual USB update is the only way to get the latest map. NTG7 and Gen20x update over the air on newer cars, but only while the map-data subscription is paid up, usually the first 3 years from new. If your car prompts you for an activation code, you're on the manual path, and this page covers it. ## What a map update costs What you pay depends on who runs the activation. * **Dealer (€250 to €500).** Staff time, no work for you. The car accepts the same code whoever generated it. * **eBay or Amazon SD-card sellers (€60 to €150).** A preloaded SD card with a single-use code bound to one VIN. * **MBRetrofit Tools.** The price per code is in [Pricing](#pricing) below. You bring the USB stick and run DLM. The map license itself costs money. The activation work is what you do yourself. ## Pick your NTG generation Each generation has its own guide. | Generation | Also called | Example chassis | | ------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | [Gen20x](/guides/map-code/ntg/gen20x) | Latest MBUX generation with Zero Layer UI (2024+) | W174, W178, W214, W236, W254, and the newest CLA generations | | [NTG7](/guides/map-code/ntg/ntg7) | MBUX Gen 2 (2020+) | W223, W206, W167 facelift, V297 EQS, V295 EQE, R232 SL | | [NTG6](/guides/map-code/ntg/ntg6) | MBUX Gen 1 (2018+) | W177, W247, W167, W/X253 facelift | | [NTG5.5](/guides/map-code/ntg/ntg5-5) | Final COMAND of the NTG5 series (2017 to 2021) | W213 pre-facelift, W222, W205 facelift, C257, X290, W463 | | [NTG5\*1](/guides/map-code/ntg/ntg5s1) | First NTG5 COMAND (2015+) | W246, W176, W117, W172, W212, W218, R231, W166, W292, W463 facelift | | [NTG5\*2](/guides/map-code/ntg/ntg5s2) | Often called plain NTG5 (2014 to 2018) | W222, W217, W205, W447, W470, R190, W/X253 pre-facelift | | [NTG4.5](/guides/map-code/ntg/ntg4-5) | Also called NTG4.7 (2011 to 2017) | W204, W212, W207, W246, W176, W117, W172, R231, W166, W156, W463 pre-facelift | | [NTG3.5](/guides/map-code/ntg/ntg3-5) | Oldest COMAND that updates from USB (2009+) | W221, W216 facelift | | [Aston Martin NTG5\*2](/guides/map-code/ntg/am-ntg5s2) | NTG5\*2 head unit in an Aston Martin | DB11, DBS, Vantage | | [Aston Martin NTG5.5](/guides/map-code/ntg/am-ntg55) | NTG5.5 head unit in an Aston Martin | DBX | ## Map code pricing Current public pricing is available on the canonical page. The [Map Coverage](/guides/map-code/coverage) page lists the countries in each region package. For the versions your car can take, use [the checker above](#check-what-your-car-needs). Your firmware caps the highest version you can install. ## Supported Mercedes models MBRetrofit Tools covers the full COMAND and MBUX fleet from 2009 on. Common chassis: | Model | Chassis and generation | | -------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | | A-Class | W176 (NTG4.5, NTG5\*1), W177 (NTG6, NTG7) | | C-Class | W204 (NTG4.5), W205 (NTG5\*2, NTG5.5), W206 (NTG7, Gen20x) | | E-Class | W212 (NTG4.5, NTG5\*1), W213 (NTG5.5, NTG6), W214 (Gen20x) | | S-Class | W221 (NTG3.5), W222 (NTG5\*2, NTG5.5), W223 (NTG7) | | GLE / M-Class | W166 (NTG4.5, NTG5\*1), W167 (NTG6, NTG7) | | GLA / GLB | W156 GLA (NTG4.5, NTG5\*1), H247 GLA and X247 GLB (NTG6, NTG7) | | GLC | W/X253 pre-facelift (NTG5\*2), W/X253 facelift (NTG6) | | G-Class | W463 (NTG4.5, NTG5\*1, NTG5.5) | | Vito / V-Class | W447 (NTG5\*2, NTG6, NTG7) | | EQS / EQE | V297 EQS, V295 EQE (NTG7) | | AMG GT / SL | R190 AMG GT (NTG5\*2, NTG5.5), R232 SL (NTG7) | If your chassis isn't listed, the [VIN check](/app/car) detects supported generations. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is the Mercedes map update free? No. The map license is paid to Mercedes. You can run the activation yourself for the price in [Pricing](#pricing), instead of the dealer's €250 to €500. ### Do I need a dealer for a Mercedes map update? No. The dealer runs the same code-based activation you can run yourself with DLM and MBRetrofit Tools. ### How long does a Mercedes map update take? USB prep in DLM takes 20 to 60 minutes. The in-car install takes 30 minutes on NTG4.5, 45 to 75 minutes on NTG6, and 60 to 90 minutes on NTG7. Keep the car running the whole time. ### Why does DLM say "not enough space" when my USB is empty? DLM checks your computer as well as the USB. It downloads and unpacks the map on the Windows system drive (usually C:) before copying it. Keep at least 64 GB free on C: and use a separate 64 GB or larger USB/SD card. ### Will my W212 / W213 / W205 / W222 work? Yes. Every chassis from 2009 on (NTG3.5 through Gen20x) is supported. ### What if the activation code is wrong? The code is tied to your VIN and region. Prep the USB first, read the exact version and region from the car prompt, then generate. Contact support if a code is rejected and we'll verify it against the screen. ### Can I update Mercedes maps without internet in the car? Yes. The install runs from USB, so the car never needs internet. You only need internet on your computer, to download the map data via DLM. ### What is the difference between COMAND and MBUX? COMAND is the older head unit (NTG3.5 through NTG5.5). MBUX is the newer one (NTG6 on) with touchscreens and voice. Both use the same VIN-bound code for manual map updates. ### Why does my car ask for a map license key? Mercedes ties each map version to a specific VIN. The license key is proof you've paid for that version, region, and VIN. Without it, the car won't commit the map data. Enter your VIN in the map-code flow to confirm the compatible navigation system, region, and version.