konigstiger

HotWheels500 started a thread awhile ago and I would like to continue under a new thread to add the ability to vote. https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/78263-interior-ambient-lighting-locator-lighting-questions.html

Can all W211 members (USA & non-USA, 2003 to date) please check your vehicles for ambient lighting. I’m certain ALL have ambient lighting but it seems as though some of us do not have ambient lighting to our foot wells (area beneath dash for both driver & passenger and below rear seats). As one member suggested, the best way to check is to put a piece of paper under each area the dash & rear seats to all 4 foot wells.

Please record your vote so they WE may get a true picture of how serious this matter actually is.

Although this is not a big deal to some it is nonetheless another specified feature that MBUSA has not fulfilled to buyers. Not to get off the subject, but navigation could not be retrofitted by “MBUSA” as specified for 2003, and the 2003 & 2004 E320 does not have 4 piston front calipers (that which is standard on the E500) as specified.

As DavidNJ was so kind to point out for 2005: From the MBUSA E320 Interior Specifications Page: "Automatic ambient lighting provides gentle illumination while driving in darkness to the console, door handles, all four foot wells, and the front and rear seating areas." This is also noted in both the 2003 & 2004 brochures.

HELL ONA HARLEY

I have all the ambient lighting in all areas as described.

One side note... I do notice that the engine MUST be running to get the ambient lights (foot lighting) to work under the dash and under the seats for rear passengers. All other ambient lighting works (console, doors, and overhead) without the engine running.

etenn

Can't answer the poll as I will have to check. Never paid much attention earlier. Guess I did not think it was important.

etenn

I don't have it as far as I can tell. I did try with a piece of paper as advised.

Nothing....unless there is somewhere to activate it.

DWP

No ambient lights in the footwells whatsoever, with or without the engine running. You don't necessarily need a piece of paper to test for ambient lights. According to some who reported having ambient lights in the earlier thread, the light comes from the same under-dash and under-rear-of-front-seat lights that provide courtesy lighting in the footwells when you open the doors - but dimmed-down. I checked the under-dash lights on my car; they are totally dark after the door closes.

I sort of assumed that the problem was limited to '03 models, and may have been an unintended consequence of the software patch that fixed the audio problems (for instance, "rebooting") that many/most '03 cars experienced. Apparently not.

Oslo

Before start = Yes
While engine running = No

glojo

Unlocked our car, opened the dors and courtesty lights can clearly be seen in all four footwells.

No lights switched on, (always on automatic) no one sitting in the vehicle.

With the engine running and doors closed there is only ambient lighting coming from the roof light. No other lighting can be seen.


Regards,
John
Wet and dismal day in Torquay

Third Time Lucky
'She that must be obeyed' has just used the car and now reports there is DEFINITELY (I interrogated her, and the use of capitals cannot emphasis enough her annoyance at my doubting her word )

Anyway there is definitely ambient lighting in the rear footwell with the engine running, doors closed, and only one front seat passenger.

Sorry to confuse the issue here, but she could NOT DETECT any ambient lighting coming from the front footwell.

HotWheels500

Well, I determined that I do have them... just not certain of the conditions under which they will be on. Seems to me it's a combination of the ambient outdoor light level and engine running. When I get a chance I'll have another look.

As to exterior locator lighting when you press the unlock button on the key remote, another curiosity, it seems it has to be real dark outside for the locators (fogs, etc.) to come on with ONE click. If it's not that dark outside, they go on only if you click twice. And that's regardless of whether you've set the key to global unlock with one click or just driver's door.

I'm lovin the car and getting to believe the MB engineers have actually programmed lots of systems to function "when they need to" depending on various conditions and sensors built into this thing all over the place. For example, as mentioned elsewhere, in the wagon, when you lower the back rest of a rear seat... if the front seat back or seat cushion are going to be in the way, they will automatically adjust themselves to allow you to lower the rear set back. User intervention is unnecessary.

Sure there are some issues with the phone system and the cheesy navigation user interface, but overall, this is one slick car.

W211 Ryda

Got them but they're really dim.

plocjim

I can't see any ambient lighting in the four foot wells...tonight I am going to do more "research", but so far can't find anything!

MBE55AMG

I have all 4 ambient lightings.

Barry45RPM

I always thought I didn't have them...In the footwells, door handles, etc... The courtesy lights are so plentifull & so bright, they can't be missed. The ambient lights are verrrrrry dim but there none the less..not at all like the ambient ceiling lights which cant be missed either.. I had my wife pass a blank sheet of white paper wherever they were supposed to be, & yes we saw the faint glow.

jprescott

You can adjust the setting through the steering wheel control.

konigstiger

I see that thus far, 227 have viewed yet only 28 voted. I can only assume that the remaining 199 have not had a chance to inspect their vehicles yet. At any rate, I would appreciate your cooperation since this will increase the chance of getting a retrofit, software upgrade, or possibly a fair monetary reimbursement for all those who do not have the full ambient feature as specified. Thanks

BoSoxFan

Waiting for it to get dark!

paulhu

I have 2004 E500, ambient light in all four footwells. Looks good, and I am getting illuminated door sills next week.

konigstiger

Did you cast a vote for yes?

paulhu

Yes, I just voted. Ambient lights are very dim, but I definately have them.

DWP

So far as I know, the steering wheel buttons adjust only the front overhead ambient lights - does the steering wheel also adjust the footwell ambient lights level, for those who have them them in the first place?

Also, if you have footwell ambient lights - can you confirm that the ambient light for the front footwells comes from the same two lights under the dash that provide courtesy lights when at full illumination?

Barry45RPM

The footwell ambients are DIM! D-I-M! They are very easy to miss in all but a complete blackout, the bulbs must be tiny tiny tiny. You've probably got them, but are expecting the illumination to be some sort of visible. It isnt.

HotWheels500

Steering wheel does not adjust footwell ambients. Ambients are the same as the courtesies, front and back, just at reduced brightness.

I just cast a yes vote.

alewifebp

Yes, I have them in all four wells, but as someone else stated, they only come on when it is dark enough outside. If you also notice, that if you have it set to light on doors open, that it does not light if there is adequate light outside.

konigstiger

Good question, the only one I did not ask the shop foreman.

Not in my case, it was confirmed by my shop foreman and he is trying to get an answer from MBUSA through the dealer’s resident Product and Delivery MBUSA Specialist.

glojo

Could you possibly keep us informed on the results of your dealers enquiries please?

Thanks
John
Dusk in Torquay

tendons

my wife likes it; to me it's a bit like the starship enterprise. I see no reason for it and no safety value.It just seems silly.