More tail light bulbs???
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
1996 E320
More tail light bulbs???
Warning this message is probably confusing as much as I was confused trying to write it. (A picture would have been better but I don't have a place to host pictures to attach.)
I'm not talking about the normal rear break lights mounted on the outside body but the red lights on a 96 E320 above the clear reverse lights which are both mounted on the trunk not to far from the license plate. The left side has a bulb and the right side does not. It has a stock plastic piece to cover the hole. I've tried stepping on the breaks, etc, etc. and it doesn't light up. (Though it did one time which we were unable to recreate.) Question is what are the lights for and what do I do about the right side which has a plastic piece? Thanks.
I'm not talking about the normal rear break lights mounted on the outside body but the red lights on a 96 E320 above the clear reverse lights which are both mounted on the trunk not to far from the license plate. The left side has a bulb and the right side does not. It has a stock plastic piece to cover the hole. I've tried stepping on the breaks, etc, etc. and it doesn't light up. (Though it did one time which we were unable to recreate.) Question is what are the lights for and what do I do about the right side which has a plastic piece? Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 11
From: Pasadena
2004 E55
That's your rear fog light. It comes on when you pull the light switch out all the way.
You're supposed to only have one. If you had them on both sides, it would look like you had your brake lights on.
I turn my on only when in thick fog. I don't understand the people who drive with it on under normal driving conditions.
You're supposed to only have one. If you had them on both sides, it would look like you had your brake lights on.
I turn my on only when in thick fog. I don't understand the people who drive with it on under normal driving conditions.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 406
Likes: 0
From: Malaysia
Mercedes W210 E280
The actual reason for this set up is because mercedes designed it this way to differentiate between right hand drive and left hand drive cars.
LHS car will have the bulb on the left hand side, and vice versa for the RHD cars.
it's an Euro requirement, since LHS and RHD cars mingle in Germany (from England RHS to Germany LHS) and people can highlight to other drivers the type of cars they're driving.
LHS car will have the bulb on the left hand side, and vice versa for the RHD cars.
it's an Euro requirement, since LHS and RHD cars mingle in Germany (from England RHS to Germany LHS) and people can highlight to other drivers the type of cars they're driving.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 2
From: Arizona, USA
W205 C300
You can connect both sockets up and put bulbs on both sides. You can use them all of the time if you put lower wattage bulbs in the sockets. Otherwise it looks like you brake lights are stuck on.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 9
From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
E-Klass, you have one of the nicest mod I've seen on this forum (the car look stock-enhanced, like the E55).
Do you mind if I ask where did you purchase the 18" AMG wheels, and how much did you pay for it ? Do you change the suspension/shock ? How's the ride quality compare to the original 16" ?
Do you mind if I ask where did you purchase the 18" AMG wheels, and how much did you pay for it ? Do you change the suspension/shock ? How's the ride quality compare to the original 16" ?
Originally posted by E-Klasse
You can connect both sockets up and put bulbs on both sides. You can use them all of the time if you put lower wattage bulbs in the sockets. Otherwise it looks like you brake lights are stuck on.
You can connect both sockets up and put bulbs on both sides. You can use them all of the time if you put lower wattage bulbs in the sockets. Otherwise it looks like you brake lights are stuck on.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, SC
E300
I connected both of the rear fog lamps on mine with same wattage bulbs as the reverse lights.
They are great to turn on when you have someone tailgating you for no apparent reason. The glare alone causes most drivers on your butt to back-off. Although there are those persistents ones
They are great to turn on when you have someone tailgating you for no apparent reason. The glare alone causes most drivers on your butt to back-off. Although there are those persistents ones
