How to tell if you really have the Intelligent light system!!!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 115
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From: Netherlands, Haarlem
E200C-Fully loaded, Obsidian Black, ILS, Panoramic roof and some other bits and pieces.
How to tell if you really have the Intelligent light system!!!
I should have the ILS in combination with Bixenon on my car as I did pay for it and it’s even listed on the piece of paper I’ve got from Mercedes when I received my car.
Up until last week I used to think fog lights coming on when turning is the same as ILS, but I read in the manual that the fog light feature is called a cornering light system and has nothing to do with the ILS.
So I went to the car and told my wife to turn the wheel and had a look in the Bixenon but couldn’t notice the headlights moving left or right.
So my question is how to tell if you really have the Intelligent light system?
If I find out that ILS is not an option on my car, Mercedes will be getting an unpleasant surprise visit from an angry owner soon.
Up until last week I used to think fog lights coming on when turning is the same as ILS, but I read in the manual that the fog light feature is called a cornering light system and has nothing to do with the ILS.
So I went to the car and told my wife to turn the wheel and had a look in the Bixenon but couldn’t notice the headlights moving left or right.
So my question is how to tell if you really have the Intelligent light system?
If I find out that ILS is not an option on my car, Mercedes will be getting an unpleasant surprise visit from an angry owner soon.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 35
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From: Czech republic - EU
C 280 4Matic
Hello,
I am not sure, if this answer will help you, since I am still waiting for my car, which is due to delivery in may/june. I got ILS ordered also. From what my dealer told me, it should turn to sides as you said. Other function is auto-adjusting beam at higher speed (above 90 km/h), this might help you, since its easy to check it. Here is more about it:
http://www3.mercedes-benz.com/teclex/main_en.html
Good luck finding it out.
D.
I am not sure, if this answer will help you, since I am still waiting for my car, which is due to delivery in may/june. I got ILS ordered also. From what my dealer told me, it should turn to sides as you said. Other function is auto-adjusting beam at higher speed (above 90 km/h), this might help you, since its easy to check it. Here is more about it:
http://www3.mercedes-benz.com/teclex/main_en.html
Good luck finding it out.
D.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: West Michigan
2007 E63
I know on Lexus the system reacts purely to steering wheel position, so the lights will move even when the car is stationary. I believe Mercedes takes steering wheel angle and speed of the vehicle into account as well.
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From: Phoenix, AZ
2014 Ghibli S Q4 & 2008 C350
ILS would be nice. All we had here in the US last year were cornering fog lights... I think our bi-xenon are auto leveling and he did tell me when you go up a hill or down a hill they adjust slightly, but no side-to-side movements. Not sure if the up-down on hills was bs or not, I kind of forgot about that until I was reading your post.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 115
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From: Netherlands, Haarlem
E200C-Fully loaded, Obsidian Black, ILS, Panoramic roof and some other bits and pieces.
If the ILS is activated at speeds above 90km/h then it will be hard to tell if I do have the option or not, unless I open the main light frame and see if I can spot any miniaturized motors behind it.
I did however notice that I have an option within the instrument cluster functions to turn the ILS on or off, but I'm not sure if it's just there as a standard menu function or is it really there because my car has the ILS, so it would be nice if someone without the ILS can check and see if they do have that function within the lighting menu.
I did however notice that I have an option within the instrument cluster functions to turn the ILS on or off, but I'm not sure if it's just there as a standard menu function or is it really there because my car has the ILS, so it would be nice if someone without the ILS can check and see if they do have that function within the lighting menu.
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From: San Francisco, CA
2017 E300
I know on Lexus the system reacts purely to steering wheel position, so the lights will move even when the car is stationary. I believe Mercedes takes steering wheel angle and speed of the vehicle into account as well.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 35
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From: Czech republic - EU
C 280 4Matic
If the ILS is activated at speeds above 90km/h then it will be hard to tell if I do have the option or not, unless I open the main light frame and see if I can spot any miniaturized motors behind it.
I did however notice that I have an option within the instrument cluster functions to turn the ILS on or off, but I'm not sure if it's just there as a standard menu function or is it really there because my car has the ILS, so it would be nice if someone without the ILS can check and see if they do have that function within the lighting menu.
I did however notice that I have an option within the instrument cluster functions to turn the ILS on or off, but I'm not sure if it's just there as a standard menu function or is it really there because my car has the ILS, so it would be nice if someone without the ILS can check and see if they do have that function within the lighting menu.
Last edited by DavidM; Mar 18, 2009 at 07:59 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Netherlands, Haarlem
E200C-Fully loaded, Obsidian Black, ILS, Panoramic roof and some other bits and pieces.
This is just great, I’ve just noticed that my high beam is not even xenon (thanks to OCOC for bringing this to my attention).
Why do they call it a Bi-xenon?!
This is false advertising.
I had an E-class before this and both lights were xenon.
I guess I owe my Mercedes dealer a visit very soon.
Why do they call it a Bi-xenon?!
This is false advertising.
I had an E-class before this and both lights were xenon.
I guess I owe my Mercedes dealer a visit very soon.
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From: www.Traben-Trarbach.de
MPG+ ROLFCOPTER
If the ILS is activated at speeds above 90km/h then it will be hard to tell if I do have the option or not, unless I open the main light frame and see if I can spot any miniaturized motors behind it.
I did however notice that I have an option within the instrument cluster functions to turn the ILS on or off, but I'm not sure if it's just there as a standard menu function or is it really there because my car has the ILS, so it would be nice if someone without the ILS can check and see if they do have that function within the lighting menu.
I did however notice that I have an option within the instrument cluster functions to turn the ILS on or off, but I'm not sure if it's just there as a standard menu function or is it really there because my car has the ILS, so it would be nice if someone without the ILS can check and see if they do have that function within the lighting menu.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 373
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From: Nagoya, Japan
'15 C200 AMG line, '08 C300 Sport Avantgarde, '07 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd, '02 CLK 200 (gone)
Hi, Xaniar.
With regard to the bixenon lights, I was kinda surprised/misled by the name, but realized that because the xenons actually take a couple of seconds to warm up, I don't want them in my high beams. I sometimes use the high beams to notify other drivers of my presence (or occasionally displeasure at their actions). I couldn't really use xenon high beams for that.
With regard to the ILS system, I expect you really have it, since you have the option to turn it on/off. I don't have the option. Also, if I remember correctly, the stuff I read about it indicated that it only operates while driving (over 'x' kph).
Oh, yeah, there're folks on these boards from all over the place--even Japan.
With regard to the bixenon lights, I was kinda surprised/misled by the name, but realized that because the xenons actually take a couple of seconds to warm up, I don't want them in my high beams. I sometimes use the high beams to notify other drivers of my presence (or occasionally displeasure at their actions). I couldn't really use xenon high beams for that.
With regard to the ILS system, I expect you really have it, since you have the option to turn it on/off. I don't have the option. Also, if I remember correctly, the stuff I read about it indicated that it only operates while driving (over 'x' kph).
Oh, yeah, there're folks on these boards from all over the place--even Japan.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: London, GB
RHD C200 Sport Coupe, RHD SLK-55, LHD SLK-350
This is just great, I’ve just noticed that my high beam is not even xenon (thanks to OCOC for bringing this to my attention).
Why do they call it a Bi-xenon?!
This is false advertising.
I had an E-class before this and both lights were xenon.
I guess I owe my Mercedes dealer a visit very soon.
Why do they call it a Bi-xenon?!
This is false advertising.
I had an E-class before this and both lights were xenon.
I guess I owe my Mercedes dealer a visit very soon.
Which E-Class? As far as I know, all of the "BiXenon" headlamps have used combo mechanical shields and halogen.
When your lights are off, and you "flash" your high beams, you get your halogen high beam - as was mentioned before, Xenon's don't fire up fast enough.
When your light are on, and you go to "high beam", the halogen bulb lights, and the Xenon shield moves out of the way, completely exposing the bulb.
90% of the light your "highs" are producing is from the Xenon.
Out Of Control!!
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From: West Michigan
2007 E63
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Poorly informed
This is just great, I’ve just noticed that my high beam is not even xenon (thanks to OCOC for bringing this to my attention).
Why do they call it a Bi-xenon?!
This is false advertising.
I had an E-class before this and both lights were xenon.
I guess I owe my Mercedes dealer a visit very soon.
Why do they call it a Bi-xenon?!
This is false advertising.
I had an E-class before this and both lights were xenon.
I guess I owe my Mercedes dealer a visit very soon.
Your inner high beams are halogen because you cannot flash Xenon bulbs. They respond too slowly. Your main lights have one Xenon bulb with an electrically controlled shutter over part of the bulb. When you switch to high beam the shutter lifts, exposing the entire bulb. When the lights are off, the inner halogen bulb illuminates for flashing. When the main lights are on, all bulbs illuminate when high beam is selected or flashed.
Clear enough?
If I lived where you live, I would have taken factory delivery where all is revealed to the new owner
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 115
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From: Netherlands, Haarlem
E200C-Fully loaded, Obsidian Black, ILS, Panoramic roof and some other bits and pieces.
Interesting lessons about xenon and halogen, thanks everyone for making things clear.
And as for the E class, you are absolutely right, now I remember that the high beams were halogen.
On the E class I had 2 separate light housing, the large one on the outer side was xenon and the smaller one on the inner side was xenon as well, that’s why they called it a Bi-xenon.
But with the C class we only get one large light housing, so I don’t understand why they call it a Bi-xenon, they should simply call it xenon.
Which E-Class? As far as I know, all of the "BiXenon" headlamps have used combo mechanical shields and halogen.
When your lights are off, and you "flash" your high beams, you get your halogen high beam - as was mentioned before, Xenon's don't fire up fast enough.
When your light are on, and you go to "high beam", the halogen bulb lights, and the Xenon shield moves out of the way, completely exposing the bulb.
90% of the light your "highs" are producing is from the Xenon.
When your lights are off, and you "flash" your high beams, you get your halogen high beam - as was mentioned before, Xenon's don't fire up fast enough.
When your light are on, and you go to "high beam", the halogen bulb lights, and the Xenon shield moves out of the way, completely exposing the bulb.
90% of the light your "highs" are producing is from the Xenon.
And as for the E class, you are absolutely right, now I remember that the high beams were halogen.
On the E class I had 2 separate light housing, the large one on the outer side was xenon and the smaller one on the inner side was xenon as well, that’s why they called it a Bi-xenon.
But with the C class we only get one large light housing, so I don’t understand why they call it a Bi-xenon, they should simply call it xenon.
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Interesting lessons about xenon and halogen, thanks everyone for making things clear.
And as for the E class, you are absolutely right, now I remember that the high beams were halogen.
On the E class I had 2 separate light housing, the large one on the outer side was xenon and the smaller one on the inner side was xenon as well, that’s why they called it a Bi-xenon.
But with the C class we only get one large light housing, so I don’t understand why they call it a Bi-xenon, they should simply call it xenon.
And as for the E class, you are absolutely right, now I remember that the high beams were halogen.
On the E class I had 2 separate light housing, the large one on the outer side was xenon and the smaller one on the inner side was xenon as well, that’s why they called it a Bi-xenon.
But with the C class we only get one large light housing, so I don’t understand why they call it a Bi-xenon, they should simply call it xenon.
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From: Davenport IA
C350
I don't get it... why would Canadian C's get cornering lights, and not American ones?
I don't have my C yet, but I did see the cornering lights in action, somebody was turning a corner in the car, and the headlights were pointed at me, but the body of the car wasn't. :P
and vic viper, whats the difference between Active Curvelight, and ILS?
I don't have my C yet, but I did see the cornering lights in action, somebody was turning a corner in the car, and the headlights were pointed at me, but the body of the car wasn't. :P
and vic viper, whats the difference between Active Curvelight, and ILS?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,135
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From: Sweden
S213
I don't get it... why would Canadian C's get cornering lights, and not American ones?
I don't have my C yet, but I did see the cornering lights in action, somebody was turning a corner in the car, and the headlights were pointed at me, but the body of the car wasn't. :P
and vic viper, whats the difference between Active Curvelight, and ILS?
I don't have my C yet, but I did see the cornering lights in action, somebody was turning a corner in the car, and the headlights were pointed at me, but the body of the car wasn't. :P
and vic viper, whats the difference between Active Curvelight, and ILS?
I actually do not know, I always thought that there was only Bixenons or Bixenons whit Active Curvelights, never heard of ILS until I saw the code for it.
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From: SFV CA
2008 Black Out C350 Saks Edition / 87 VW GTI
Out Of Control!!
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From: West Michigan
2007 E63
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From: Los Angeles, CA
2009 C350
My C has "biXenon headlamps" and "cornering fog lamps", but I've never heard of the ILS here in the US. Though I tested the lights out the other day and my friends noticed that the main low beams did obviously turn with the steering.
I also noticed another day when i turn the lights on and park the car with the steering turned to the left, only the left fog light was lit after I got out of the car but it turned off by itself after a while. I'm not sure how exactly that works but Im assuming thats something to do with the cornering fog lamps function.
I also noticed another day when i turn the lights on and park the car with the steering turned to the left, only the left fog light was lit after I got out of the car but it turned off by itself after a while. I'm not sure how exactly that works but Im assuming thats something to do with the cornering fog lamps function.
