...the little red or amber LED under the rearview mirror that illuminates the center of the dash console?

thanks!
Jim

 

i dont think so, i rember someone posted a pic with the e-class lights on at night time, and there was no red

 

It does have the amber light, as well as two map lights. Also, in the car are two incandesent lights in the front and rear that also provide subtile interior lighting at night.

 

there is the light under the mirror that goes on once dark....but i don't see how it helps? it seems like its not lighting anything at all....

but all the other subtle lighting touches are awesome. anyone agree with me?

 

I think it's purpose is more for a soothing ambience.

 

Agree with Juke-box, the light under the mirror does not help, even you cannot see the light at dark. This is one of the fail innovation

 

OK Guys, if you really want to get technical on this tiny light, here goes ---There is an amber light, it does not light up the center dash (all / most buttons are backlight), it does not light up anything, it does not turn on when it is dark, it does turn on when you turn on the lights, and it is for the auto dim on the rear view mirror (for the instrument cluster, map light buttons, etc) when you enter / exit the car.

slightly ammended

 

hhuh?? now i'm really confused..

how come my E430 doesn't have that?

 

I clarified above. i didnt have it before either but this mirror houses a TON of stuff and is actually about 3 - 4 inches deep. My guess is that, beyond the dimmer, map lights, and 3 button garage door opener, they probably put the remote key receiver in there as well. Just guessing though.

 

Thanks for the replies. The LED or two I was referring to was mounted at the very bottom of the mirror and puts a soft red glow across the dash buttons in the dark. I was told the older E's had them, so I figured the newer ones had it too. My C240 has the auto-dimming mirror. It has a hole for a photocell in the back side that detects the amount of ambient light out in front of the car. It has another photocell in the bottom right corner of the mirror that works in conjunction with the one on back and detects light shining at the car from the rear.

 

Jim,

MB has never used red LED's for ambient lighting. Only amber LED's.