BT Pandora and Auto Hi-Beams
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,046
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From: Chicago, IL
2011 E550 4Matic, 2002 M3 Vert
BT Pandora and Auto Hi-Beams
Just finished up my first road trip in the new 550 and these 2 features absolutely made my purchase all the more worthwhile. As if I needed further confirmation... 
Pandora via Bluetooth audio streaming works perfectly to my amazement. This is something I will look forward to using most times I drive.
My trip was up north in Door County, Wisconsin where hi-beams are critical to driving at night with the constant possibility of deer making an appearance. The auto on/off hi-beams worked to near perfection. Considerably better than I had initially expected due to some folk's complaints about this feature. For about 2 hours I had my hi-beams switched on and not once did I need to adjust them manually. Nice job Mercedes!! I would actually chalk this up as another safety feature for 2 reasons. First, I am much more inclined to use my hi-beams knowing they adjust themselves. Second, it's one less task I have to focus on controlling when driving at night where hi-beams are needed.
All I need now is night vision!
Pandora via Bluetooth audio streaming works perfectly to my amazement. This is something I will look forward to using most times I drive.
My trip was up north in Door County, Wisconsin where hi-beams are critical to driving at night with the constant possibility of deer making an appearance. The auto on/off hi-beams worked to near perfection. Considerably better than I had initially expected due to some folk's complaints about this feature. For about 2 hours I had my hi-beams switched on and not once did I need to adjust them manually. Nice job Mercedes!! I would actually chalk this up as another safety feature for 2 reasons. First, I am much more inclined to use my hi-beams knowing they adjust themselves. Second, it's one less task I have to focus on controlling when driving at night where hi-beams are needed.
All I need now is night vision!
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 908
Likes: 19
From: New Jersey
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
Just finished up my first road trip in the new 550 and these 2 features absolutely made my purchase all the more worthwhile. As if I needed further confirmation...
Pandora via Bluetooth audio streaming works perfectly to my amazement. This is something I will look forward to using most times I drive.
My trip was up north in Door County, Wisconsin where hi-beams are critical to driving at night with the constant possibility of deer making an appearance. The auto on/off hi-beams worked to near perfection. Considerably better than I had initially expected due to some folk's complaints about this feature. For about 2 hours I had my hi-beams switched on and not once did I need to adjust them manually. Nice job Mercedes!! I would actually chalk this up as another safety feature for 2 reasons. First, I am much more inclined to use my hi-beams knowing they adjust themselves. Second, it's one less task I have to focus on controlling when driving at night where hi-beams are needed.
All I need now is night vision!
Pandora via Bluetooth audio streaming works perfectly to my amazement. This is something I will look forward to using most times I drive.
My trip was up north in Door County, Wisconsin where hi-beams are critical to driving at night with the constant possibility of deer making an appearance. The auto on/off hi-beams worked to near perfection. Considerably better than I had initially expected due to some folk's complaints about this feature. For about 2 hours I had my hi-beams switched on and not once did I need to adjust them manually. Nice job Mercedes!! I would actually chalk this up as another safety feature for 2 reasons. First, I am much more inclined to use my hi-beams knowing they adjust themselves. Second, it's one less task I have to focus on controlling when driving at night where hi-beams are needed.
All I need now is night vision!
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 640
Likes: 6
2015 GL450
If you are talking about MB's night vision, you aren't missing anything but entertainment for passengers. Good idea, but poorly executed. It's in the Comand screen, so to look at it you have to look away from the road. I have it and never use it anymore.
I forget which packages what comes with, but have you noticed that the bi-Xenons turn with the steering wheel? It's most noticeable at about 30 or 40 mph if you look far out. Yes, there is a little light that comes on at very low speed, but the lights turn too. One day I am going to crash while marveling at them.
I forget which packages what comes with, but have you noticed that the bi-Xenons turn with the steering wheel? It's most noticeable at about 30 or 40 mph if you look far out. Yes, there is a little light that comes on at very low speed, but the lights turn too. One day I am going to crash while marveling at them.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,677
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From: California
i535
These two features are awesome unless ypu live in califronia. We have no cell phone reception on our narrow windy roads. Since the roads are quite crowd, your high beam has no chance to switch on, so no surprise to see many cars in drench.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,046
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From: Chicago, IL
2011 E550 4Matic, 2002 M3 Vert
Ned, I agree with your assessment. I found however when the hi-beam would not go back on due to ambient light from a street light that it was not required. The street light was producing so much light that for the most part my hi-beams would make much of a difference any way. This is why I considered the option to be almost perfect... Interacting with the stalk to manually engage them to me is clunky and defeats the purpose.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 908
Likes: 19
From: New Jersey
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
Ned, I agree with your assessment. I found however when the hi-beam would not go back on due to ambient light from a street light that it was not required. The street light was producing so much light that for the most part my hi-beams would make much of a difference any way. This is why I considered the option to be almost perfect... Interacting with the stalk to manually engage them to me is clunky and defeats the purpose.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,034
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From: Toronto
MY17 E43 Matte Selenite/Macchiato Beige, MY16 GLE350d Tenorite/Crystal Grey, MY17 B250
Can't you just rotate the headlight switch from "AUTO" to "ON"? This worked on my 2010; haven't played with 2012 much.
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 640
Likes: 6
2015 GL450
I don't think it gives an audible warning, but it does highlight pedestrians. Not deer, in my experience.
I love what the manual says:
"When you have been made aware of a pedestrian, assess the situation by looking through the windshield."
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 908
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From: New Jersey
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
Not sure what you mean. Engaging the auto high beams is done in the menu settings. Once engaged, you need to have the high beam wand in the high beam on position for the feature to work. If they don't come on automatically, the only way to engage the high beams is to pull the wand toward you to the temporary on position that you must hold in to keep on. I think the right logic would have been to have the feature engaged once you turn it on in the settings menu and with high beam wand in the off position. That way you could also manually turn on the high beams if need be. Regards. Ned.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,034
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From: Toronto
MY17 E43 Matte Selenite/Macchiato Beige, MY16 GLE350d Tenorite/Crystal Grey, MY17 B250
Not sure what you mean. Engaging the auto high beams is done in the menu settings. Once engaged, you need to have the high beam wand in the high beam on position for the feature to work. If they don't come on automatically, the only way to engage the high beams is to pull the wand toward you to the temporary on position that you must hold in to keep on.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 908
Likes: 19
From: New Jersey
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 26
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From: Halifax NS
E550 4matic Tenorite (Steel) Grey
Actually I prefer it the Mercedes way.
My Cadillac STS had it the other way, i.e. you could force the beams to high manually, but couldn't force them to low. If the car said high beams, they went to high come hell or high water.
Problem is when the car gets it wrong, you blind oncoming drivers or **** off the person you are following. It was so bad I had to disable the system.
In the Mercedes I can force them low by pulling the light stalk, no bad effects; no blinded drivers. I have complete control over "out driving the low beams", just a little less pressure with the right foot.
My Cadillac STS had it the other way, i.e. you could force the beams to high manually, but couldn't force them to low. If the car said high beams, they went to high come hell or high water.
Problem is when the car gets it wrong, you blind oncoming drivers or **** off the person you are following. It was so bad I had to disable the system.
In the Mercedes I can force them low by pulling the light stalk, no bad effects; no blinded drivers. I have complete control over "out driving the low beams", just a little less pressure with the right foot.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 908
Likes: 19
From: New Jersey
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
Actually I prefer it the Mercedes way.
My Cadillac STS had it the other way, i.e. you could force the beams to high manually, but couldn't force them to low. If the car said high beams, they went to high come hell or high water.
Problem is when the car gets it wrong, you blind oncoming drivers or **** off the person you are following. It was so bad I had to disable the system.
In the Mercedes I can force them low by pulling the light stalk, no bad effects; no blinded drivers. I have complete control over "out driving the low beams", just a little less pressure with the right foot.
My Cadillac STS had it the other way, i.e. you could force the beams to high manually, but couldn't force them to low. If the car said high beams, they went to high come hell or high water.
Problem is when the car gets it wrong, you blind oncoming drivers or **** off the person you are following. It was so bad I had to disable the system.
In the Mercedes I can force them low by pulling the light stalk, no bad effects; no blinded drivers. I have complete control over "out driving the low beams", just a little less pressure with the right foot.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Halifax NS
E550 4matic Tenorite (Steel) Grey
I agree, in the 3 months I've had the car, it has always dimmed the lights appropriately. On another note, the lights turning with the steering certainly help on the dark twisties.
