Automatic high beams, what am I doing wrong?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
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M4
Automatic high beams, what am I doing wrong?
My Edition 1 arrived last week, still getting acclimated with all the features.
One thing really bugging me are the automatic high beams.
Light switch is in auto position, high beam stalk pushed forward. AB icon illuminated.
Only once have the high beams actually come on. 99% of the time, only low beams, zero oncoming traffic, very few street lights.
And there does not seem to be a manual override unless I also turn the headlight switch out of auto mode? All my other cars allow manual override via the stalk.
Am I the only one having sensor issues?
One thing really bugging me are the automatic high beams.
Light switch is in auto position, high beam stalk pushed forward. AB icon illuminated.
Only once have the high beams actually come on. 99% of the time, only low beams, zero oncoming traffic, very few street lights.
And there does not seem to be a manual override unless I also turn the headlight switch out of auto mode? All my other cars allow manual override via the stalk.
Am I the only one having sensor issues?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Cary, NC
2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
My Edition 1 arrived last week, still getting acclimated with all the features.
One thing really bugging me are the automatic high beams.
Light switch is in auto position, high beam stalk pushed forward. AB icon illuminated.
Only once have the high beams actually come on. 99% of the time, only low beams, zero oncoming traffic, very few street lights.
And there does not seem to be a manual override unless I also turn the headlight switch out of auto mode? All my other cars allow manual override via the stalk.
Am I the only one having sensor issues?
One thing really bugging me are the automatic high beams.
Light switch is in auto position, high beam stalk pushed forward. AB icon illuminated.
Only once have the high beams actually come on. 99% of the time, only low beams, zero oncoming traffic, very few street lights.
And there does not seem to be a manual override unless I also turn the headlight switch out of auto mode? All my other cars allow manual override via the stalk.
Am I the only one having sensor issues?
Last edited by HBerman; Jun 28, 2015 at 08:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 13
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M4
So it sounds like something is wrong.
There is no way to manually override the automatic brights feature when lights are in auto mode?
Super Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 572
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From: Canada
2015 C63S E1 (sold 2012 C63 AMG Sedan (Premium & APX)) & 09 C300 Sport 4Matic
How and when does the rear fog light come on? Pushing the button next to light switch turns on the rear fog light, but under what circumstances?
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: NY
E63S | X5
todd -- Only way to override is take the lights out of auto-mode. Even in my 13 they are pretty sensitive. If I were you, before going and asking the dealer I'd take the car down a country road with no street lights or cars and see if they come up.
On my car I always go around this long turn on my way home that has one little light and the car senses it even before the nose of the car is pointed at the light and the lights go down. Basically, if I want the brights on I switch over to manual.
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335d xDrive, C63S on order
Not got my car yet but if it's anything like my BMW then it won't come on when there's street lighting. Why would you need high beams when there's street lighting after all?
You need to get onto an unlit road then it'll work. The splitting of the beams on the BMW is pretty awesome and I believe the Merc should do that as well.
You need to get onto an unlit road then it'll work. The splitting of the beams on the BMW is pretty awesome and I believe the Merc should do that as well.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
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From: MD
Cars.
Not got my car yet but if it's anything like my BMW then it won't come on when there's street lighting. Why would you need high beams when there's street lighting after all?
You need to get onto an unlit road then it'll work. The splitting of the beams on the BMW is pretty awesome and I believe the Merc should do that as well.
You need to get onto an unlit road then it'll work. The splitting of the beams on the BMW is pretty awesome and I believe the Merc should do that as well.
Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 163
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335d xDrive, C63S on order
I've got Xenon's on my current car and they can stay high beam even with a car in front by splitting the beam to either side of the car infront and it follows them.
Obviously with LED lights the Merc should be able to do this even better. I've just not got my car to try it yet.
Obviously with LED lights the Merc should be able to do this even better. I've just not got my car to try it yet.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 927
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From: San jose CA.
w205 c400 c63s
I have the headlight package on my w205. I noticed my low beam seem really low. I have to turn on the high beam manually. Can the p3 package can be adjusted or i have to bring it to the service. I know its self adjusting. Appreciate thoughts
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 68
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2018 Audi S6
. But if you're going to tackle that yourself, find out where exactly is the vertical aim adjuster, so you don't touch the horizontal one, since that would require dealer equipment. Most manuals tell you how to adjust the vertical one, so check yours. However, I prefer to do it over a long wall, to maximize visibility in both low and high beam. Just make sure to do it with a full tank of gas, as instructed by most manuals; otherwise you could blind people when tank is full. Hope this helps.As a side comment, this forum is a bit frustrating; it's basically a freaking classifieds forum. Out of 10 threads, only 1 should be there. Typically vendors have a separate forum for their crap, but guess not here. Oh well. Very helpful folks though
.
Last edited by elp_jc; Nov 14, 2017 at 12:25 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 927
Likes: 33
From: San jose CA.
w205 c400 c63s
Don't own this car yet, but on all my other cars with auto high-beam, I just push the stalk again (a 2nd time), and it goes to manual high-beam, turning off the auto feature, like if it didn't exist. It doesn't come back on until car is turned off and back on. Try it.
All cars must have headlight aim adjustment by law. Once adjusted, then they self-adjust based on that 'base' setting, like when you load the trunk, etc., to avoid blinding oncoming traffic. I had the same problem on my Porsche (bought it new, but clearbra guy confused the headlight release hole with the vertical adjustment), and adjusted them on a dark night next to a tall wall, to see exactly where the cut-off was, then drove to a busier street until nobody 'flashed' me anymore. But if you're going to tackle that yourself, find out where exactly is the vertical aim adjuster, so you don't touch the horizontal one, since that would require dealer equipment. Most manuals tell you how to adjust the vertical one, so check yours. However, I prefer to do it over a long wall, to maximize visibility in both low and high beam. Just make sure to do it with a full tank of gas, as instructed by most manuals; otherwise you could blind people when tank is full. Hope this helps.
As a side comment, this forum is a bit frustrating; it's basically a freaking classifieds forum. Out of 10 threads, only 1 should be there. Typically vendors have a separate forum for their crap, but guess not here. Oh well. Very helpful folks though.
All cars must have headlight aim adjustment by law. Once adjusted, then they self-adjust based on that 'base' setting, like when you load the trunk, etc., to avoid blinding oncoming traffic. I had the same problem on my Porsche (bought it new, but clearbra guy confused the headlight release hole with the vertical adjustment), and adjusted them on a dark night next to a tall wall, to see exactly where the cut-off was, then drove to a busier street until nobody 'flashed' me anymore
. But if you're going to tackle that yourself, find out where exactly is the vertical aim adjuster, so you don't touch the horizontal one, since that would require dealer equipment. Most manuals tell you how to adjust the vertical one, so check yours. However, I prefer to do it over a long wall, to maximize visibility in both low and high beam. Just make sure to do it with a full tank of gas, as instructed by most manuals; otherwise you could blind people when tank is full. Hope this helps.As a side comment, this forum is a bit frustrating; it's basically a freaking classifieds forum. Out of 10 threads, only 1 should be there. Typically vendors have a separate forum for their crap, but guess not here. Oh well. Very helpful folks though
.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: NC
C 63s convertible
Same issue
I tried driving with my light switch in automatic mode steadily at about 55 mph for about minute. Zero street lights and zero cars. Farm road. They have worked for weeks. Suddenly nothing? They were turning on and off automatically when detecting a car approaching or when I was overtaking. Is there another setting I’m missing. I noticed when I play with the stalk I notice a whitish sort of high beam cone on. It’s not the blue one that is for high beams. Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 479
Likes: 122
From: Raleigh, NC
2021 C63S Coupe
In my 2021 with the intelligent LED light package the high automatic "tracking" lights and and high beams are my favorite thing at night - the high beams turn on and off better than I could ever do it manually, and adjust for oncoming traffic or curves -- amazing stuff really. I would lean toward a possible sensor issue, it surely doesn't seem right - even with the older version. Frustrating I bet!
