jimbo1mcm

Started investigating whether to use the daytime driving lights on my 2005 E320 CDI ( halogen). Most of the data confirms that it reduces general accidents about 10% and left hand turn accidents significantly greater, up to 30% in some cases. So I decided to use them. Activated the system in the settings menu from the steering wheel, going from manual to constant in the headlight menu. By the way, the system only applies about 1/2 the power to the light during the day. When the night sensor activates, it applies the full power. You can easily check this feature when you drive into your garage during the day. The lights noticably brighten when you enter the dark space.

CE750

Does that apply to xenon as well, 1/2 the power?

I have them on the Volvo (not by choice), but in the MB I never bothered..

BudC

Xenon are always full power. This is one disadvantage I've found with them. I don't know if it would shorten the lifespan of the lamps.

CE750

yeah, at $200 each bulb, I may just make due without then. On the volvo, the Day time lights don't use the Xenon, but another light with less power. I wonder if the MB can be made to use the two inner halogen lights for this?

steph280

Actually they do that because the xenon ballasts will not work at half power. They will just flicker and eventually fry the ballasts. Unlike halogen bulbs they do not dim at lower voltage. With ballasts providing the high voltage xenon bulbs need, they are either on or off.

Most cars use the high beam at half power for DRL. They work better because they aim higher for visibility at further distance, plus they will not interfere with the function of xenons.

ATS

$200.00? Imagine the cost in time and hassle if you get in an accident. They are on here all the time in Canada and cars I see involved in left hand turn accidents almost always are older cars before the mandatory daytime running lights..

HotWheels500

With Xenon, try using your parking light setting, with the front fog lamps on. Similar effect.

Dvinn

Well, consider Xeons only use 35 watts of power, I would use it no problem if it means I can be safer on the road.

Dvinn

That's a good idea.

BudC

This would be against the law in Minnesota. You cannot operate your vehicle with just the parking lights and/or the fog lamps w/o having the headlights on. Don't ask me why but that was the law when I lived there.

HotWheels500

During the daytime?

BudC

Anytime. I can't say they still have the law but they did in 2001.

I don't know if they enforce it because Minnesota has the most reasonable driving environment of any state I've driven in. Well, maybe getting passed by the Arizona Highway Patrol when I was doing 80 might qualify this state as pretty good too

Dvinn

California has some stupid traffic laws as well, recently they just passed a law requiring you to turn on the head lights before using the wind shield wiper. That means if you get something blocking on the windshield, if order to use the wiper to clear it you got to turn on the headlights first all the while the visibility being impaired.

BudC

There isn't much about Minnesota that's stupid. Can't say the same for the Left Coast though

DWP

What the law actually says is that if weather conditions are bad enough that you need to continuously operate your wipers, you also have to turn on your headlights. It doesn't say that you have to turn on your headlights before operating your wipers for some other reason, like cleaning your windshield. California Vehicle Code § 24400 (operative July 1, 2005). Now, that's not so stupid, is it?

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/di...le=24400-24411

ATS

Yeah the California law is a small step away from Daytime running lights..

xraymd

As long as we are on the subject, I've noticed on my 2005 that when the rain activated wipers come on, my headlights come on too. I've read older threads that complained this wasn't available and that MB should look into it. Anybody else with a comment? Is this a new feature they sneaked in?

Dvinn

Thanks for the clear information. That actually makes some sense. But I wonder how many people actually knows about this...great way for California to generate some revenue.:v

HumblePie

In regards to shortened lifespan, in my 2001 C320 I used the same "constant" setting. With over 50K miles logged before selling it, I never once had a problem or indication that the bulb was wearing out, etc. Whenever I should get around to purchasing my E-class I'll probably activate them again...