JaCe88

Is it actually possible to turn off the headlights in a w204 fitted with automatic headlights? There's no switch location for 'headlights off' I realised!

Stevedotmil

Go into the dash menus using the left steering wheel controls. Turn the day time running light option to off.

JaCe88

I want to keep my LED DRL's on, but turn the main beams off. Is that possible?

C300Kid

That's weird...all US cars have an off position..unless they changed it with the facelift.

C300CA

I haven't tried it on my 2011 C, but think during the day, main beam will be off but DRL will remain on at high brightness, if light switch is set at "A", and DRL will be at low brightness when main beam is on in the evening.

SGTzAMG

yup
thats how they come now, just "A" and the ON override.
theres no permanent OFF feature anymore on the headlamps :/

C300CA

I don't quite like having no OFF position; my other two cars all have OFF and AUTO. On the other hand I like it. I got my first ticket in nearly 20 years of driving, because I forgot to turn on the headlight in the evening; that street light was different which I didn't realize my headlight was not on. Only like 3 minutes between supermarket and home...

JaCe88

Per the manual, http://www4.mercedes-benz.com/manual...1f19151cbdfaf1

... it appears to turn off the main-beam you need to push the combination stalk away from you. But from what I can tell, isn't that the "high beam"? *is confused between "main beam" and "dipped beam" now*

Any thoughts ?

C300CA

It is the high beam. I noticed the operation manual uses quite a few different English names from my RX300 and QX4 owner's manual.

JaCe88

Hmm... still wondering how to turn headlights off if I want to be 'sneaky'!

schvamf

I don't think it's possible in the 2011.

Ikester

I would like to know as well. Im installing HIDs soon and I dont want the HIDs to fire up just going under a bridge for 1 minute.

6-speed

Are you in Canada or USA? Up here north of the border DRL's are mandatory and there is no option to shut them off unless you reprogram using the star Diognostic tool. I now have an option to turn them on or off. This is however on an 08 c class. Not sure if its any difference on the newer models

Samaral

On my car You can't. You can turn it on when it is day, but you can not turn it off at night. In another words, the sensor has priority.
I am talking about headlights. DRL's here in Canada are mandatory anytime. Legally you can not turn it off.

aty

Switch to parking lights or if you want no lights at all, switch to standing lights R or L. Just don't forget to switch it back to auto or else your standing light will be left on all the time. These standing lights doesn't turn on once the ignition is on. This is what I do as I learned from a forum member. I don't like my headlights turning on when the sun is still out and sometime forget to switch it back to auto.

2012c350

I've wondered that myself. If there's no way to turn it off then there's no way I can take my car to the drive-in movies...Not that I go often, but still... I know some cars (GM I believe) will let you turn them off if you depress the parking brake but I haven't tried that yet.

Samaral

This does not work on my car. At night, no matter where you turn the switch, the headlights are always on.

Cillys

You could always go the Porky's route ...

LILBENZ230

In my 2011 you can switch to the standing lights either R or L and it will cut off all exterior and interior lights if the ignition is running.

The removal of an OFF position annoys me, as does the change from a chirp to a horn blip as acoustic feedback of the alarm.

dol4er

Switching to parking lights (L or R) really stops all lights when you start the car.

Clkboi

Never thought of this that is great. So the L and R only are engaged when you are parked?

acr2001

I get the feeling that MB removed the 'off' option because of the number of ...."brilliant individuals"... who drive at night / dusk with their lights off. Those using the L / R option are merely falling into the same trap. If the sensor has turned your lights on, they really should be ON!! Yes, sometimes it turns them on a little bit soon when there is good sunlight left, but what's the problem? You will forget they're in parking mode and then you'll have no lights on and deserve a ticket. Maybe if you're selling drugs it makes sense!

Clkboi

Lmao its not that serious...

Some individuals maybe dont want to use their HID's so much as they feel it will shorten their life.

I see it this way. Its my car i should be able to do w.e i want with it. I don't care much if my lights are on but am always curious if there is a workaround on Mercedes limitations.

I tried the R L method today in my driveway and it does indeed work.

BTW what is the purpose of R L?

w204_Generic

Kind of random question/statement here, but you guys all know that if you are in the rain, the daytime running lights switch to your Low beams/HID. Well, one time I didn't turn my windshield wipers on and my daytime running lights stayed on. As soon as I turned my windshield wipers to the on position, the DRLs switched to my low beams.

Are these DRL in sync to go off when the windshield wipers are on? Or was it just a coincidence. I still have yet to try it again, because it hasn't rained here in a while.

acr2001

It's pretty serious when people are driving around at night without their lights on. Naturally those people don't think it is, otherwise they'd have their lights on. You have a 40k+ car, HIDs are comparatively very cheap and have long lives. Not a great excuse. I could understand if the light sensor kept turning your lights on in daylight when unnecessary, but it really doesn't do that.

The R and L positions are for parking lights. It is meant to illuminate one bulb on the front and back of the vehicle. It's useful on tight roads in Europe when you park your car at night. They remain on for as long as the knob is in that position, even with the key out. It is so that other drivers won't hit you while parked.