Automatic High Beam sensitivity
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
2010 E550 4Matic
Automatic High Beam sensitivity
I have a 2010 E550 (96K miles) with adaptive headlights. (I.e., automatic high beams) I've had it for about a year.
I've noticed that it doesn't sense taillights ahead of me very well, as well as occasionally not sensing oncoming car's head lights if they are "older "yellow" headlights. This causes me to have to manually turn off the high-beams to avoid blinding other drivers.
I can't believe that MB would have designed and sold the system this way, so I'm wondering if my sensor is "dirty" and/or needs adjustment.
Any ideas or suggestions about cleaning the sensor or correcting the problem?
I've noticed that it doesn't sense taillights ahead of me very well, as well as occasionally not sensing oncoming car's head lights if they are "older "yellow" headlights. This causes me to have to manually turn off the high-beams to avoid blinding other drivers.
I can't believe that MB would have designed and sold the system this way, so I'm wondering if my sensor is "dirty" and/or needs adjustment.
Any ideas or suggestions about cleaning the sensor or correcting the problem?
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
It uses the camera mounted to the windshield, I am assuming your windshield is not dirty. Unfortunately this seems to be a fact of life for automatic high beams - it is not a perfect technology. I've owned a few cars with this tech and some work better than others. My 2014 W204 system sucked like you're describing. But my 2016 W212 system works almost flawlessly.
The one weak spot - the cars will not acknowledge any Dodge taillights that run across the rear of the car. Police car? Charger? Durango? Nope - you're going to get blinded. Both my W204 and W212 have suddenly engaged high beams while following Dodge cars (including police) with at least triple the frequency they have issue with any other cars.
My Miata also has automatic high beams and they can be infuriating. They're so quick to dim that a twinkle from a star in the night sky will cause them to dim. The difference between the 212 and MX-5 is so huge that I have to keep the Miata system off 95% of the time, but the 212 I keep on 95% of the time.
The one weak spot - the cars will not acknowledge any Dodge taillights that run across the rear of the car. Police car? Charger? Durango? Nope - you're going to get blinded. Both my W204 and W212 have suddenly engaged high beams while following Dodge cars (including police) with at least triple the frequency they have issue with any other cars.
My Miata also has automatic high beams and they can be infuriating. They're so quick to dim that a twinkle from a star in the night sky will cause them to dim. The difference between the 212 and MX-5 is so huge that I have to keep the Miata system off 95% of the time, but the 212 I keep on 95% of the time.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 973
Likes: 376
From: Austin, TX
2013 SL550 BiTurbo
that system has never worked "right" for me, I gave up a long time ago and just turn the brights on when I need them, and off when I don't. Funny because mine is the opposite, turns the brights off when there is no one on the road, mostly city streetlamps make them turn off. I guess it is designed for highway use only(I guess that makes sense since they are "bright" lights...lol)? they work pretty good out in the country, but I don't do that kind of driving as much any more, mostly city driving.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
They must have improved the performance and logic with the full LED setup starting in 2014 because mine work quite well and leaving them on does other things. Of course we don't have the full ILS features here in the USA, but mine does adjust the beam pattern in the left headlight to not dazzle oncoming traffic. It also raises the low beam throw all the way to the car in front without engaging full high beam.
Does the pre-facelift do these things? My W204 was also bi-xenon projectors and it was pretty much high beam on/off. Nothing else.
Does the pre-facelift do these things? My W204 was also bi-xenon projectors and it was pretty much high beam on/off. Nothing else.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
2010 E550 4Matic
Thanks for the replies, I guess I'll just have to live with it....
My wife's 2019 CX-5 auto highbeams work perfectly. Weird that it varies model to model. Maybe has to do with the sensors height above the road.
As far as I know, the pre-facelift cars beam pattern doesn't adapt like that. Mine certainly doesn't...
....
My Miata also has automatic high beams and they can be infuriating. They're so quick to dim that a twinkle from a star in the night sky will cause them to dim. The difference between the 212 and MX-5 is so huge that I have to keep the Miata system off 95% of the time, but the 212 I keep on 95% of the time.
My Miata also has automatic high beams and they can be infuriating. They're so quick to dim that a twinkle from a star in the night sky will cause them to dim. The difference between the 212 and MX-5 is so huge that I have to keep the Miata system off 95% of the time, but the 212 I keep on 95% of the time.
They must have improved the performance and logic with the full LED setup starting in 2014 because mine work quite well and leaving them on does other things. Of course we don't have the full ILS features here in the USA, but mine does adjust the beam pattern in the left headlight to not dazzle oncoming traffic. It also raises the low beam throw all the way to the car in front without engaging full high beam.
Does the pre-facelift do these things? My W204 was also bi-xenon projectors and it was pretty much high beam on/off. Nothing else.
Does the pre-facelift do these things? My W204 was also bi-xenon projectors and it was pretty much high beam on/off. Nothing else.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 973
Likes: 376
From: Austin, TX
2013 SL550 BiTurbo
My 2012 E550 has LED lighting and HID with auto-dip adjustment, but I've never noticed it adjust up or down. I do have Corner Illumination and "turning" headlamps though, and they work great
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 681
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From: FL
2012 E550 sedan 2019 E63 Wagon
Mine's work perfectly since day one. No one on the road and no street lights high beams are on. See's cars a 1/4 mile out and back to low beams. No problems with chargers.
2012.
2012.
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2019
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From: FL
2012 E550 sedan 2019 E63 Wagon
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 681
Likes: 405
From: FL
2012 E550 sedan 2019 E63 Wagon
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
On my 2010 E550 the adaptive light sensing is too sensitive. It keeps lights on low beam if there is someone within 1/4 miles ahead of me. It is very sensitive to red light.
Same for oncoming traffic.
But, as it is adaptive it adjusts the low beam far away and this is just as good as most cars I have driven with high beams on.
I have experienced a few times when the light did not switch and all these were when I started drive in cold and the windshield had fog inside of it. I take it the fog disturbs the camera when on class in front of it. Never had any issues in warm weather.
And my previous 2011 E350 worked the same way.
Same for oncoming traffic.
But, as it is adaptive it adjusts the low beam far away and this is just as good as most cars I have driven with high beams on.
I have experienced a few times when the light did not switch and all these were when I started drive in cold and the windshield had fog inside of it. I take it the fog disturbs the camera when on class in front of it. Never had any issues in warm weather.
And my previous 2011 E350 worked the same way.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 973
Likes: 376
From: Austin, TX
2013 SL550 BiTurbo
oh, yeah. Lights are always in Auto mode. I've played with the "Auto Bright", just don't like it. Indicator shows in the cluster and all, just would rather handle it myself. I know when I need them, my car...not so much...
