Jun 16, 2015, 04:42 PM
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How to turn off automatic headlights in w204
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 392
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GLE 300d (v167)
How to turn off automatic headlights in w204
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!
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 803
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From: Bay Area, CA
2011 C300 Sport, P1, MM, Wood, Heated FS, DIY rearview camera.
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.
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From: North California
02 C32 AMG, 05 SL55 AMG, 09 SL63 AMG, 14 E350, '18 G550, 92 300ZX & 15' GL63 AMG
thats how they come now, just "A" and the ON override.
theres no permanent OFF feature anymore on the headlamps :/
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 803
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From: Bay Area, CA
2011 C300 Sport, P1, MM, Wood, Heated FS, DIY rearview camera.
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...
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 392
Likes: 16
GLE 300d (v167)
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 ?
... 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 ?
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Super Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 803
Likes: 37
From: Bay Area, CA
2011 C300 Sport, P1, MM, Wood, Heated FS, DIY rearview camera.
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.
Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 192
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From: GTA (Toronto)
2008 c230
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
Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 172
Likes: 1
From: markham, ON, Canada
2014 ML 350 BT
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.
I am talking about headlights. DRL's here in Canada are mandatory anytime. Legally you can not turn it off.
Last edited by Samaral; Apr 10, 2013 at 08:09 PM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 143
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From: N. Virginia
2023 E 53 sedan
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 360
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
2020 C363 S / 2007 SLK55 / 2016 F150 4x4 / 1998 Cobra Convertible
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.
Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 172
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From: markham, ON, Canada
2014 ML 350 BT
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.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
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.
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.
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CLS550 4Matic
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: NYC
2012 C300 4Matic
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!
Maybe if you're selling drugs it makes sense!
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Joined: Aug 2009
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CLS550 4Matic
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!
Maybe if you're selling drugs it makes sense!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?
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 879
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From: Tampa, Florida
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
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.
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.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,078
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From: NYC
2012 C300 4Matic
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?
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?
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.
