On the r/h side of the steering wheel of my 13MY GS are three buttons. Green to accept incoming calls or confirm dialling, red to reject a call, and a third button with the graphic of a face and sound waves.

This button seems to do nothing. OK, it may be used for voice commands on higher spec models, but isn't it unusual to have a button that does nothing? The manual says it's for voice commands, but doesn't say anything about it not working on some models.

I guess my questions are: is it really a useless input? and if so, it it a simple matter of making a connection in the steering wheel to make it work? I imagine functions like this are software driven rather than there being some hardware missing?

Thanks for all advice, as usual

Mine's the same - doesn't seem to do anything.

Suspect it's only used with cars that have the higher level audio systems supporting voice commands as presumably the GS isn't equipped with the necessary kit to process voice?

Reminds me of a BMW I used to have a few years back - all cars were fitted with full steering wheel controls for hands free phone integration, but the necessary hardware modules were only fitted as an optional extra..

Similar feature on my (ex) MY10 GS on the radio - it had a 'Digital' button that did nothing.

IanH wrote:

Similar feature on my (ex) MY10 GS on the radio - it had a 'Digital' button that did nothing.

Digital button refers to the fact the radio has digital tuning. A search will reveal numerous posts on the topic, usually relating to 'have I got DAB because the button says Digital.

According to the LR website GS spec MY13 comes with SWYS Voice Activation for the telephone. (Note of caution: the website has been known to be wrong in the past!)

Boycey
Try holding the button down for a few seconds and you should get some reaction from either the car "if your phone isn't supported" or your phone "if it is supported" and you have previously connected via bluetooth.

On my 2010 model you have to hold the green call button in for around 4-5 seconds and when it's released it will initiate voice dialling. From what I have read about your model, it has voice commands for a few features, so maybe the button with the symbol could be for other voice commands. I would try both and see what happens.

I have the black edition 's'......have the same button and when I was at the dealer I asked the same question.

It's the same steering wheel in higher models and its not supposed to work in the lesser ones!! 2013 FL2 - Black Edition Auto
2013 FL2 - Black Edition Manual GONE!
Founder of the 'Microscopic LR Spoiler Badge Club'
Destroyer of chrome rears.....

According to the factory build sheet my GS (collecting today) does not have voice control. (Coming) 2016 RR Evoque td4 180 HSE Dynamc
(Going) 2013 TD4 GS Auto - Santorini Black with black leather. Cold Climate, UK Lighting & Armrest Packs. Privacy Glass. LR Rubber Mats. Full size spare.
60 000 miles averaging 35mpg

(Gone) 2010 TD4 Manual GS - Stornoway Grey. Sold at 3yrs old & 64k miles. Final average consumption 39.2mpg.

I did caveat my last comment with 'the website has been known to be wrong). Having looked at another document I agree GS does not have SWYS voice control.