Activating convenience lighting
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From: Massachusetts
E500
Activating convenience lighting
While recently in Germany on a business trip, I rented an E-Class (2004 I think) in which the convenience lights worked without the light switch being in the Auto position. By convenience lights, I mean the fog lights and other parking lights that come on when you lock or unlock the doors when dark outside.
The dealer says there is no way to program this with the SDS on a US spec car.
Anyone know differently?
The dealer says there is no way to program this with the SDS on a US spec car.
Anyone know differently?
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
Originally Posted by BudC
See pages 151 to 153 in your Operator's Manual. I think this is what you are looking for. I've programmed my car to provide *locator lighting*.
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2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Yes, they work with the switch turned off but I have my lights programmed to Daytime Running Lamp Mode which I believe accomplishes the same thing. It's similar to the Auto function except that the lights are always on. The intensity varies with the ambient light.
This is probably how the car in Germany was set up.
This is probably how the car in Germany was set up.
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
Originally Posted by BudC
Yes, they work with the switch turned off but I have my lights programmed to Daytime Running Lamp Mode which I believe accomplishes the same thing. It's similar to the Auto function except that the lights are always on. The intensity varies with the ambient light.
This is probably how the car in Germany was set up.
This is probably how the car in Germany was set up.
In my car the exteior light switch MUST be turned to "auto" for this feature to work as the original poster was asking.... Or did I miss something????
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2011 E550, 2013 GLK
You're right. I thought that setting running lights accomplished the same thing as turning the switch to Auto but I just checked and it doesn't. When I had locator lighting working I must have had the switch set to Auto. Of course that works. It seems that you can use both running lights and Auto if you want to but you need Auto to get Locator lighting (neat feature).
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
Originally Posted by BudC
It seems that you can use both running lights and Auto if you want to but you need Auto to get Locator lighting (neat feature).
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by HELL ONA HARLEY
Your right, neat feature.... Very helpful finding your car and love the idea of the extra security, especially for the ol'lady....
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From: Mansfield, TX
11 ML350W2 / 17 GLC300
I'll reply to the "Auto" position. I suppose we must be considered old, or at least old fashioned in that we like to turn the lights on and off as required. I prefer to turn on the parking and fog lights as the sun starts to set to increase the visibility. The headlights don't come on early enough for our desires.
Jim
Jim
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by JimPurdy
I'll reply to the "Auto" position. I suppose we must be considered old, or at least old fashioned in that we like to turn the lights on and off as required. I prefer to turn on the parking and fog lights as the sun starts to set to increase the visibility. The headlights don't come on early enough for our desires.
Jim
Jim
Turning on Auto lets you program in the Locater Lighting option.
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
Originally Posted by BudC
I recommend you do what we do. Program the lights for daytime running and also turn the switch to Auto. With daytime running, the lights are always on but vary in intensity depending on the ambient lighting. This works out just fine. In fact the lights grow brighter as we enter the garage.
Turning on Auto lets you program in the Locater Lighting option.
Turning on Auto lets you program in the Locater Lighting option.
The standard H7 bulbs have a tendency to burn out rally quickly if they are not dimmed and are on all the time. Xenon lights last a very long time.
Steve
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by BudC
I recommend you do what we do. Program the lights for daytime running and also turn the switch to Auto. With daytime running, the lights are always on but vary in intensity depending on the ambient lighting. This works out just fine. In fact the lights grow brighter as we enter the garage. Turning on Auto lets you program in the Locater Lighting option.
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From: Massachusetts
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A couple things I don't like about the "Auto" position; when starting the card in my dark garage, the Xenons turn on, then off again after I pull out. Thsi can't be ggod for the lifetime of the Xenon bulbs. Also, there is the previously mentioned fact that the foglights won't work in the Auto position, and I usually forget to return the switch to Auto.
The European spec cars must have a different Light Control Module, because I went through all the menus in the rental car, and they were set to the same as my car.
Oh well, I'll just have to live with the Auto position!!
The European spec cars must have a different Light Control Module, because I went through all the menus in the rental car, and they were set to the same as my car.
Oh well, I'll just have to live with the Auto position!!
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From: Bay Area California
W203 C240
the prob with "auto" mode is that you cant turn on the fog lights when you need them unless you switch to the manual on mode. The funny thing is that my c240 has the locater lights activated by the key even if the light switch is manually off while my moms e500 doesnt do that. Apparently it has to be on "auto" something i couldnt figure out until this post.
I think the locater lights should go on if they are programmed to go on no matter what the position of the manual switch is.
I think the locater lights should go on if they are programmed to go on no matter what the position of the manual switch is.
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
No, on the E-Class, the locator mode doesn't work unless you have the light switch set to Auto. See Function Surround Lighting option on page 152 of the E-Class Operator's Manual.
The only value I've found with fog lights is that the rear fog light will show up when the standard tail lights won't. It works great in both fog and rain.
The only value I've found with fog lights is that the rear fog light will show up when the standard tail lights won't. It works great in both fog and rain.
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
Originally Posted by BudC
No, on the E-Class, the locator mode doesn't work unless you have the light switch set to Auto. See Function Surround Lighting option on page 152 of the E-Class Operator's Manual.
The only value I've found with fog lights is that the rear fog light will show up when the standard tail lights won't. It works great in both fog and rain.
The only value I've found with fog lights is that the rear fog light will show up when the standard tail lights won't. It works great in both fog and rain.
I am constantly blinded by people who drive with their rear fog light on driving up I-70, it is always an AUDI or another type of European car. Audi's seem be on the offense more often since they have the two buttons next to each other and DUMB IGNORANT people who don't read their owner's manuals hit any button that turns on their front fogs. They don't even have a clue that if you hit the rear fog light, it also turn on the front. (there even are green and orange lights) So they just hit the button and see that the fronts fogs turned, that's good enough for them.
The rule is that you should never turn on the rear fog if visibility is over 50 yards (50 meters to be exact). So, if your visibility is below 50 yards, then you should not be driving over 35 MPH (50 KPH). As a rule then, if you are in the rain, fog, snow, smoke, dust or whatever could diminish visibility and you are forced to slow down to 35 MPH or below, then turn it on.
When I am stuck behind these idiots who drive with them on a perfectly clear night, I simply turn on my High beams behind them and leave them on. Sometimes they get it and actually turn it off. The w211's high beams are quite strong!
I have also seen cops who have pulled people over for having them on. As a general rule, the rear fog light is a great safety tool, but the typical US driver is totally clueless about how to use it! They end up bothering the other people on the road instead.
Just my FYI and pet peeve, nothing personal,
Steve
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From: Mansfield, TX
11 ML350W2 / 17 GLC300
Steve,
I agree on the use or misuse of the rear fog light. I find the rear fog most useful in the daytime when in either fog or heavy rain. This is when most drivers don't even turn on any lights and the rear of their cars are almost invisible.
A couple of years ago I was in a caravan following some friends in an ML320 through the mountains in Arkansas. It was pea-soup fog in the early afternoon and I could judge the distance to keep by viewing his rear fog while not being able to view his other tail light. This was a situation where you didn't want to have any headlights on, even the daytime running lights.
We lost sight of the rear fog every so often if we dropped back more than 50 ft and then had to re-acquire the target distance with great care.
I find it very interesting that some manufacturers, like Goofy Motors, talk safety but are always the last to incorporate new safety features on their cars. The rest of the world was using real headlights on their cars while we had to use the 1930s sealed beam technology. It was only after the manufacturers wanted to streamline the looks of the cars that they got the laws changed in each state allowing us to have non-sealed headlights. Mercedes developed the crumple zone and Volvo the 3 point safety harness and then the air bag. It took many years for the US to adopt these safety features. I put the rear fog light in the safety category that should be incorporated in all cars.
Jim
I agree on the use or misuse of the rear fog light. I find the rear fog most useful in the daytime when in either fog or heavy rain. This is when most drivers don't even turn on any lights and the rear of their cars are almost invisible.
A couple of years ago I was in a caravan following some friends in an ML320 through the mountains in Arkansas. It was pea-soup fog in the early afternoon and I could judge the distance to keep by viewing his rear fog while not being able to view his other tail light. This was a situation where you didn't want to have any headlights on, even the daytime running lights.
We lost sight of the rear fog every so often if we dropped back more than 50 ft and then had to re-acquire the target distance with great care.
I find it very interesting that some manufacturers, like Goofy Motors, talk safety but are always the last to incorporate new safety features on their cars. The rest of the world was using real headlights on their cars while we had to use the 1930s sealed beam technology. It was only after the manufacturers wanted to streamline the looks of the cars that they got the laws changed in each state allowing us to have non-sealed headlights. Mercedes developed the crumple zone and Volvo the 3 point safety harness and then the air bag. It took many years for the US to adopt these safety features. I put the rear fog light in the safety category that should be incorporated in all cars.
Jim
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Originally Posted by BudC
No, on the E-Class, the locator mode doesn't work unless you have the light switch set to Auto. See Function Surround Lighting option on page 152 of the E-Class Operator's Manual.
The only value I've found with fog lights is that the rear fog light will show up when the standard tail lights won't. It works great in both fog and rain.
The only value I've found with fog lights is that the rear fog light will show up when the standard tail lights won't. It works great in both fog and rain.
On previous MB models, the locator lighting that we seem to want (without the switch in "Auto") was possible, and the cars in Europe had no convenience lighting at all. Now it seems they have what we used to have, and we have some new-fangled thing (I don't use the Auto function either, I like to have control of my headlights and it reminds me of a 20 year old Cadillac when the lights come on under an overpass).
-s-
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by scorchie
I don't use the Auto function either, I like to have control of my headlights and it reminds me of a 20 year old Cadillac when the lights come on under an overpass.
-s-
-s-
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
Originally Posted by JimPurdy
Steve,
I find it very interesting that some manufacturers, like Goofy Motors, talk safety but are always the last to incorporate new safety features on their cars. I put the rear fog light in the safety category that should be incorporated in all cars.
Jim
I find it very interesting that some manufacturers, like Goofy Motors, talk safety but are always the last to incorporate new safety features on their cars. I put the rear fog light in the safety category that should be incorporated in all cars.
Jim
US Car manufacturers are very well aware of all this, but consciously choose to ignore it or not do it. I agree with everything you have said.
OOOO, US car manufacturers did invent the CUP HOLDER!!
Steve A.
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From: Mansfield, TX
11 ML350W2 / 17 GLC300
Steve,
Last Friday night there was a section of one of those news magazine shows on tv that talked about how to drive in fog. The "expert" was from a university that has studied poor driving conditions. He even had a test track where they could create fog, rain, and other conditions at will. His big emphasis was on how to drive in fog - slow down, stay close enough to be able to see the car in front of you, don't use your high beams; all good advice. Not once did he mention how to make your car more visible so that you wont get hit in the fog - not "use your rear fog", not "use your 4-way flashers", nothing! With "experts" like these, it is no wonder that Detroit doesn't take safety that seriously.
Jim
Last Friday night there was a section of one of those news magazine shows on tv that talked about how to drive in fog. The "expert" was from a university that has studied poor driving conditions. He even had a test track where they could create fog, rain, and other conditions at will. His big emphasis was on how to drive in fog - slow down, stay close enough to be able to see the car in front of you, don't use your high beams; all good advice. Not once did he mention how to make your car more visible so that you wont get hit in the fog - not "use your rear fog", not "use your 4-way flashers", nothing! With "experts" like these, it is no wonder that Detroit doesn't take safety that seriously.
Jim
