revstriker

One of the cars I had before the MB had automatic lights, but I always thought that they would turn on too early. I haven't had a chance to play with them on the MB, so I was wondering how many people are using them, and what their opinions of them are?

Lynn

I use the automatic lights, but I also use the daytime running lights, so it is all seamless.

Ethan

I use the automatic lights and love 'em. I've had it on other Non-MB brands, and they were always goofy during dusk or dawn.

KWiK

I have DRL turned on and lights set to auto

o2bsurreal

Yeah, I agree with Ethan. The MB automatic lights are pretty cool in that they actually turn on during dawn and dusk. Every other car I've ever had with automatic lights required you to still turn on the lights if you wanted to drive safely at dawn or dusk. The MB sensor is more sensitive and comes on at just the right time. They also come on in most parking garages, making parking just that much safer.

vadim

I use DRL + auto. It's weird to see sometimes when I go under a bridge or through a tunnel how the dashboard lights come on and then off - never had this feature on my previous cars.

pixmation

I like having the fog lights on as well, but the automatic lights are just so nice and now I only have the fog lights on from time to time.

230benzboy

DRL and auto feature enabled here and it works great!!

pixmation

How do you turn on the DRL?

I couldn't find it in the owner's manual.

thanks.

Bud

Pixmation, it's one of the items you can toggle on/off in the the 'settings' screen of the instrument panel by using the steering wheel buttons.

shtatc

I use the automatic mode myself and think it works great...although I was wondering about the DRL...I did not know you could turn them on and off via the settings screen...I guess I did not go through the menus that indepth...you learn something new every day...thanks.....

muscle4lew

i love the auto lights feature.....one less thing to have to operate

benzomonterey

the Auto lights are great. I just wish the fogs were sometimes part of the option.

MB-BOB

I don't use the auto lights, so I guess I'm in the minority. I used to drive a stick to work, and now with the auto, turning the lights on and off gives me something to do than makes me feel "connected..." I have been thinking about the auto lights, though.

Pixmation, I really like your flashing turn repeater avatar!

revstriker

Thanks for all the input. I put the auto lights on this morning and they worked well. The weather hear is rainy and kind of overcast, so they were on the whole way to work. Used the rain sensor also, which I love! No more playing with the timing! Haven't really needed the fog lights yet. If there was a sensor that could tell how dense the fog is, and turn them on appropriately, that would be cool . Though I know some people like to use the fog lights whenever (fog or no fog).

MarkL

The DRL setting via the "settings" screen is called "constant mode", so it won't actually say "DRL". Personally, I leave the DRL's off. I don't like them, and most MB's & BMW's I see don't have the DRLs on. Also, w/ Xenons, the headlights at normal power are used as the DRL's. I've had automatic lights before, but I agree that the MB, as usual, does a better job than most others. There must be more sophisticated logic that prevents the lights from going on and off when conditions change slightly as dusk approaches.

Did you guys know that "auto" mode will also turn the lights on when you use the wipers? If you're in delay (rain sense) mode, they won't come on unless there's a moderate amount of activity w/ the wipers -- I think they want to avoid having the lights come on and off too much. If the rain slows and the delay is significantly increased, the lights will then go off. If you switch the wipers to constant on, the lights will go on almost immediately.

Since I park in my garage and I have Xenons, I usually flip the "auto" mode off when I get home so the lights don't come on unnecessarily when I start the next morning. I've read that Xenons are more sensitive to on/off cycles than halogens.

PS - if you want the fogs, you have to move the light switch from the "auto" position to parking lights or headlights position.

pixmation

does anyone use the parking lights (the last two notch on the left)?

I use it when I was the first car parked on the corner on a busy street at night. However, I don't use it on a quiet street because I don't want the car attracts too much attention.

pixmation

Thanks, Bob!

pokerFACE

I'm in Canada and it's required to have DRLs here

but I think the DRL on my car is just the same as having the low beams on at the same time, cuz I've never seen the dashlights off with the engine running, and I don't notice anything when I pull into my garage, nor the parking garage at school.

So yeah, I dont use my auto feature, as my low beams are on all the time.

jpgroom

We use the constant on with delay off.

bagwell

I tend NOT to use them because as stated above the fogs have to be turned on separately...so I have myself turning the lights completely off when I stop.

for my wife tho, I just tell her to put in the auto position and they work great for her.

rockjock

Use autos all the time-wife doesn't like them (fogs are not auto with it)-hate people that use drls in a snow storm and wonder why Income up on them at 60mph.....natural selection or poor reading ability (owners man)?

xzstarszx

you bumped an almost 8 years old thread???

rockjock

OneOfaKindTrini

I always leave my switch on auto.. In my cluster it's programmed to constant.