Mercedes-Benz GLA Around View Monitor Review — Seamless Retrofit

Upgrading Your Mercedes-Benz GLA with an Around View Monitor

Welcome to Today's Car. Today, we're showcasing a Mercedes-Benz GLA C118 that received a significant upgrade with a genuine around view monitor (also known as a 360 camera or surround view system). This retrofit enhances parking convenience and safety, making it feel like an original factory option. Even if your GLA didn't come with this feature from the factory, it's possible to achieve a seamless integration using genuine cameras and modules. This particular GLA benefited from a pre-existing camera mount in the grille, allowing for a clean installation without needing to replace the entire grille assembly.

Is an Around View Monitor Essential for the GLA?

SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLA often have blind spots, making parking in tight spaces a challenge. The around view monitor system provides a bird's-eye view of the vehicle's surroundings, displayed on the central monitor. This allows drivers to see obstacles and navigate confined areas with much greater confidence and ease. Unlike aftermarket solutions, the genuine system integrates perfectly with the car's existing electronics. You can activate the display with a button press, and it automatically engages when you shift into reverse.

Around View Monitor Retrofit Process for the GLA C118

Before starting, we inspect the vehicle. This GLA was originally equipped without the around view option, but it fortunately had a camera mount integrated into the front grille. This pre-designed mounting point allowed us to install the genuine front camera without any modifications to the grille itself, which is a significant advantage for a clean and factory-like finish.

If a vehicle lacks this integrated mount, a grille replacement or an additional bracket would typically be necessary. Having the factory provision simplifies the process and ensures a superior aesthetic outcome.

Camera Installation and Mirror Upgrade

The side mirrors on a standard GLA without the around view option do not have cameras. To add the necessary side-view cameras, we replaced only the lower bracket of the side mirrors to accommodate the genuine cameras, rather than replacing the entire mirror assembly. This approach preserves the original mirror's appearance and functionality while adding the camera capability cost-effectively.

The genuine front camera is then precisely fitted into the existing mount on the upper part of the front grille, ensuring a secure and stable installation without the need for adhesives or extra support.

Replacing the Around View Module

The core of the around view system upgrade involves replacing the original module, which likely only handled the rear camera, with a dedicated around view module capable of processing input from all four cameras simultaneously. This new module synchronizes the video feeds from the front, rear, and side cameras, creating a cohesive 360-degree view on the central display.

During the module replacement, we meticulously manage the wiring, routing the new cables neatly within the vehicle's existing pathways to avoid drilling new holes and maintain the car's soundproofing and waterproofing integrity.

Integrating with the Central Display and Adding a Control Button

Finally, the around view system is integrated with the car's central infotainment system, adding a new menu option. A dedicated control button is installed on the center console, allowing the driver to manually activate the around view display at any time. This button is a genuine Mercedes-Benz part, ensuring it matches the interior's design and tactile feel perfectly.