Newbie need help with DRL...
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2013 C200
Newbie need help with DRL...
Hi All,
I just picked up a 2013 C200 yesterday and can't figure out how to turn on the LED DRL (under headlights). The car came with halogen lights (not bi xenon model). Light switch is on AUTO, and I have tried turning on and off the daytime driving light from dash menu - LED still not turning on. The LED lights seem to work when I lock the car (I understand it is the surround light setting). Any ideas?
Thanks all!
I just picked up a 2013 C200 yesterday and can't figure out how to turn on the LED DRL (under headlights). The car came with halogen lights (not bi xenon model). Light switch is on AUTO, and I have tried turning on and off the daytime driving light from dash menu - LED still not turning on. The LED lights seem to work when I lock the car (I understand it is the surround light setting). Any ideas?
Thanks all!
Last edited by leicatime; Apr 15, 2015 at 01:22 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne, Australia
S211 E55 AMG, W205 C250
DRL's are behaving exactly like their name suggests 'DAYLIGHT running lights'
If you've got your headlights set to AUTO, they're coming on when the light sensor deems it's dark enough - ie. it's night time and you no longer need DRL's.
DRL's are for visibility during daylight hours. Not for vision at night - that's what your headlights are for.
If you've got your headlights set to AUTO, they're coming on when the light sensor deems it's dark enough - ie. it's night time and you no longer need DRL's.
DRL's are for visibility during daylight hours. Not for vision at night - that's what your headlights are for.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 299
Likes: 41
From: England
W205 C200 AMG Line Premium
With halogen lights the led strip will turn off when the headlights come on. With xenons the led strip remains on with the headlights but they are dimmed to make them legal. They are called Daytime Running Lights for a reason.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: MBworld
bone stock E55 AMG
even with halogens, DRLs are still on... it just dims...
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
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2013 C200
Thank you all. It has been couudy and raining here, so headlights have been on. Will wait until it's sunny and hope that the LED works. I was curious if there's some sort of control or switch for them to work.
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Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
2013 Mercedes-Benz C250, Iridium Silver Metallic; 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240, Brilliant Silver Metallic
DRL's are behaving exactly like their name suggests 'DAYLIGHT running lights'
If you've got your headlights set to AUTO, they're coming on when the light sensor deems it's dark enough - ie. it's night time and you no longer need DRL's.
DRL's are for visibility during daylight hours. Not for vision at night - that's what your headlights are for.
If you've got your headlights set to AUTO, they're coming on when the light sensor deems it's dark enough - ie. it's night time and you no longer need DRL's.
DRL's are for visibility during daylight hours. Not for vision at night - that's what your headlights are for.
I'm basing the above on a US market vehicle though.
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Super Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 670
Likes: 7
From: Alberta
2014 E63 AMG S
yeah, DRLs run all the time.
im not sure what this option is for, but i know there is an option in the center console under vehicle settings about "surround lighting" or something. Maybe that controls DRLs in some regard?
im not sure what this option is for, but i know there is an option in the center console under vehicle settings about "surround lighting" or something. Maybe that controls DRLs in some regard?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2013 C200
Apologies, still not getting it. So do i need "daytime driving lights" ON or OFF to get led DRL ON? Not clear if the option controls headlights or led DRL. Tried both during the day and results always headlights ON, DRL OFF.
Starting to think they might be faulty.
Starting to think they might be faulty.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne, Australia
S211 E55 AMG, W205 C250
The LED DRL's on W204's are supposed to come on whenever the car is on, unless you've chosen for them to be off through the driver information center. With the lights in AUTO mode, when the headlights come on, the DRL's should stay on, but at a reduced intensity. The DRL's should go off if you manually turn on the parking lights.
I'm basing the above on a US market vehicle though.
I'm basing the above on a US market vehicle though.
Perhaps that's the difference - mine is obviously Australian delivery, but I can assure you that the DRL's are off when the headlights are on.
Have been paying attention during my home commute since seeing this thread and have noted both pre and post facelift w204's with their headlights on at night have the DRL strip off.
It's probably something to do with our ADR's. I know there is a rule about maximum number of forward facing lights.
Not sure where OP lives but that may be a consideration.
I know for example, with my X5 we have DRL coded off - but in Canada it's coded ON. You can go in through software and change the settings for the LCM, it's not hard. So I'm sure you could do the same with equivalent software for MB.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
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2013 C200
Oh, I'm based in melbourne myself mate!
Perhaps that's the difference - mine is obviously Australian delivery, but I can assure you that the DRL's are off when the headlights are on.
Have been paying attention during my home commute since seeing this thread and have noted both pre and post facelift w204's with their headlights on at night have the DRL strip off.
It's probably something to do with our ADR's. I know there is a rule about maximum number of forward facing lights.
Not sure where OP lives but that may be a consideration.
I know for example, with my X5 we have DRL coded off - but in Canada it's coded ON. You can go in through software and change the settings for the LCM, it's not hard. So I'm sure you could do the same with equivalent software for MB.
Have been paying attention during my home commute since seeing this thread and have noted both pre and post facelift w204's with their headlights on at night have the DRL strip off.
It's probably something to do with our ADR's. I know there is a rule about maximum number of forward facing lights.
Not sure where OP lives but that may be a consideration.
I know for example, with my X5 we have DRL coded off - but in Canada it's coded ON. You can go in through software and change the settings for the LCM, it's not hard. So I'm sure you could do the same with equivalent software for MB.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne, Australia
S211 E55 AMG, W205 C250
Ah well that explains everything then!
ADR 76/00 says the following:
Daytime running lights
1. A pair of daytime running lights may be fitted to a motor vehicle.
2. A pair of daytime running lights fitted to a motor vehicle must be fitted with the centre of each light:
(a) at least 600mm from the centre of the other light; and
(b) not over 510mm from the nearer side of the vehicle.
3. However, a pair of daytime running lights fitted to a motor vehicle
under 1300mm wide may be fitted with the centre of each light not
under 400mm from the centre of the other light.
4. When on, a daytime running light must:
(a) show a white or yellow light visible from the front of the vehicle;
and
(b) not use over 25W.
Daytime running lights must be wired so they are off when a headlight, other than a headlight being used as a flashing signal, is on.
So it's normal*
*For Australia.
ADR 76/00 says the following:
Daytime running lights
1. A pair of daytime running lights may be fitted to a motor vehicle.
2. A pair of daytime running lights fitted to a motor vehicle must be fitted with the centre of each light:
(a) at least 600mm from the centre of the other light; and
(b) not over 510mm from the nearer side of the vehicle.
3. However, a pair of daytime running lights fitted to a motor vehicle
under 1300mm wide may be fitted with the centre of each light not
under 400mm from the centre of the other light.
4. When on, a daytime running light must:
(a) show a white or yellow light visible from the front of the vehicle;
and
(b) not use over 25W.
Daytime running lights must be wired so they are off when a headlight, other than a headlight being used as a flashing signal, is on.
So it's normal*
*For Australia.
Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
2013 Mercedes-Benz C250, Iridium Silver Metallic; 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240, Brilliant Silver Metallic
Perhaps that's the difference - mine is obviously Australian delivery, but I can assure you that the DRL's are off when the headlights are on.
Have been paying attention during my home commute since seeing this thread and have noted both pre and post facelift w204's with their headlights on at night have the DRL strip off.
It's probably something to do with our ADR's. I know there is a rule about maximum number of forward facing lights.
Not sure where OP lives but that may be a consideration.
I know for example, with my X5 we have DRL coded off - but in Canada it's coded ON. You can go in through software and change the settings for the LCM, it's not hard. So I'm sure you could do the same with equivalent software for MB.
Have been paying attention during my home commute since seeing this thread and have noted both pre and post facelift w204's with their headlights on at night have the DRL strip off.
It's probably something to do with our ADR's. I know there is a rule about maximum number of forward facing lights.
Not sure where OP lives but that may be a consideration.
I know for example, with my X5 we have DRL coded off - but in Canada it's coded ON. You can go in through software and change the settings for the LCM, it's not hard. So I'm sure you could do the same with equivalent software for MB.
Here's the DRL behaviour that i noticed on my car.
In all cases, my motor was running.
Lights OFF, switch in AUTO position - DRL's on full intensity
Lights ON, switch in AUTO position - DRL's on reduced intensity
Lights switched ON manually - DRL's off
Parking lights manually switched on - DRL's off
Through the driver information center, the DRL's can be completely turned off. I believe Canadian cars are coded a little differently since DRL's are mandatory there.
Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
2013 Mercedes-Benz C250, Iridium Silver Metallic; 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240, Brilliant Silver Metallic
First off, yes, my car does have xenon lighting with the adaptive lights. My DRL's stay on (at reduced intensity) when I turn on the rear fog light. Also, my lights (if not on already) will turn on when I press the rear fog light button.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne, Australia
S211 E55 AMG, W205 C250
Mine has ILS xenon also - I think what can be established is that the drls are coded to work differently for different market regions.
OP is in Australia, as am I - and mine behave the exact same way, and every other w204 I have observed is the same - so the issue is resolved.
OP is in Australia, as am I - and mine behave the exact same way, and every other w204 I have observed is the same - so the issue is resolved.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne, Australia
S211 E55 AMG, W205 C250
Soooo....I'm a douche.
Had a C350 coupe following me lastnight, and lo and behold = the DRLs were on at the same time as the Bi-Xenons.
Was picking up the GF so when I arrived I jumped out of the car....and....my DRL's were on too.
Admittedly, at a dimmed level. Lights were set to AUTO.
So - I was wrong - and OP, you may have an issue. Sorry for the misinformation all!
Had a C350 coupe following me lastnight, and lo and behold = the DRLs were on at the same time as the Bi-Xenons.
Was picking up the GF so when I arrived I jumped out of the car....and....my DRL's were on too.
Admittedly, at a dimmed level. Lights were set to AUTO.
So - I was wrong - and OP, you may have an issue. Sorry for the misinformation all!
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
C300
Do you have HIDs? My wife's 2013 C300 has HIDs and does the same thing you described except I thought the DRLs stay on all the time. If the low-beams are on, whether the switch is on Auto or manually, the DRLs should be dimmed. If the switch is turned to the Parking lights (turn counter-clockwise all the way), no lights come on at all. Our local MB dealer says this behavior is by design. I've been doing some searches but can't find a definitive answer on this. I'll check my in-laws' cars this weekend and see what theirs do.
