Usually when someone is thinking about purchasing a car, they consider the mileage, the seating space, or even its color. But how often is the infotainment screen a deal breaker in the decision-making process of buying a car? Infotainment screens are an essential part to a satisfying driver experience. Many of the settings for the driver's and passenger's comfort are controlled via this interface and making sure your needs are compatible with this feature is important to be sure of before you sign on the dotted line.
Choosing a Mercedes-Benz doesn't mean limiting your options when it comes to your infotainment screen. But knowing what your options are and how to look for them is important, so you can be as confident as possible when you drive off the lot.
What is an Infotainment Screen?
The word "infotainment" is a combination of the words "information" and "entertainment”, and it functions similarly. An infotainment screen allows you to view helpful information about your car, like rear view camera or navigation, and control some of your vehicle’s entertainment functions such as music players and radio tuning.These screens can vary in design. Some are smaller square or rectangular screens integrated into the dash, while others merge into the instrument panel behind the wheel for easier viewing for the driver. In more recent models, the infotainment screen is a screen separate from the dash and is often much larger than normal. Additionally, these screens can either be controlled with touch or have buttons and dials to adjust the settings of your car.
What Features Do Infotainment Screens Offer?
Infotainment systems are designed to be a centralized control panel for most of the features you would use in a car. Some of the features you can expect to be able to control through this interface include:
- GPS navigation
- Hands-free calling and voice commands
- Ambient lighting
- Temperature control
- Rear camera display
This list isn't exhaustive since infotainment controls can vary from model to model. Be sure to contact your local Mercedes-Benz dealership for more information about a car you are interested in purchasing.
What to Consider in an Infotainment Screen
Because infotainment screens often function as the central control to your car, there can be a laundry list of things you may be looking for when it comes to what type you need. You don't have to disregard your wants totally, but consider some big picture items when you go for your next test drive:
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