Tail Lights on during the day, headlights off
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 214
Likes: 45
From: New York
2025 E450 Sedan: 2019 E450 Coupe
Tail Lights on during the day, headlights off
I just noticed that the tail lights on my MY2025 are on during the day. I don't believe they were on in the past. Headlights are off. It is not the brake lights staying on. Has anyone experienced this?
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,692
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From: Spain UTC/GMT +2 hours
W213 All-terrain
All new models does not have anymore any reflective material inside the rear lamp. All rear lamps - except S-Class and maybe G - are completely empty inside just 4-5 LED's and a very cheap non-reflective nylon light diffuser.
Because is not legal to to drive without reflective rear lamps but is mandatory for Mercedes to promote the cheapest piece of plastic ever created, they invented a big bonus for the head of lamps dept because they wrote a 2 bytes line of code keeping the LED's always On to mimic the natural light reflection.
Because is not legal to to drive without reflective rear lamps but is mandatory for Mercedes to promote the cheapest piece of plastic ever created, they invented a big bonus for the head of lamps dept because they wrote a 2 bytes line of code keeping the LED's always On to mimic the natural light reflection.
Last edited by trigital; Dec 31, 2025 at 10:47 AM.
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Joined: Dec 2019
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All new models does not have anymore any reflective material inside the rear lamp. All rear lamps - except S-Class and maybe G - are completely empty inside just 4-5 LED's and a very cheap non-reflective nylon light diffuser.
Because is not legal to to drive without reflective rear lamps but is mandatory for Mercedes to promote the cheapest piece of plastic ever created, they invented a big bonus for the head of lamps dept because they wrote a 2 bytes line of code keeping the LED's always On to mimic the natural light reflection.
Because is not legal to to drive without reflective rear lamps but is mandatory for Mercedes to promote the cheapest piece of plastic ever created, they invented a big bonus for the head of lamps dept because they wrote a 2 bytes line of code keeping the LED's always On to mimic the natural light reflection.
They introduced the collaboration with superplastics prior to the W214 reveal and the W214 silhouette was shown, now the webpage has been updated with the full W214 image.
Jokes aside, Canada has been making it a mandate to have taillights on during the day, not sure if the USA has similar regulations. https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/safety-standards-vehicles-tires-child-car-seats/using-your-vehicle-lights-see-be-seen
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: DFW, TX
2014 E350 Wagon, 2025 GLC 350e, 2026 E53 Wagon
I doubt that passive reflectors can be replaced by constant on LEDs to satisfy any kind of road requirement. The two are vastly different and serve different purpose. Cateyes work even when the vehicle is completely off and is stationary and without power. This is still a requirement so the argument that "MB cheapened out and removed reflectors is why we need constant on tail lights" has no legs.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 488
From: Spain UTC/GMT +2 hours
W213 All-terrain
I doubt that passive reflectors can be replaced by constant on LEDs to satisfy any kind of road requirement. The two are vastly different and serve different purpose. Cateyes work even when the vehicle is completely off and is stationary and without power. This is still a requirement so the argument that "MB cheapened out and removed reflectors is why we need constant on tail lights" has no legs.
I just did the comparison, my old 213 near FL GLE 167. Both Off, mine looks like On and GLE like a supermarket plastic bag ...not quite but close...
If you have the opportunity to have side by side completely off a FL GLE and any 1998 Ford, Cherokee, etc you will be amazed.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 214
Likes: 45
From: New York
2025 E450 Sedan: 2019 E450 Coupe
I would appreciate it if someone who has a W214 with the latest MBUX, could take a look at the taillights on their car, with the car running to confirm if they are on or off. I just tried turning the daytime running lights off and the taillights went off also, daytime running lights on, taillights on. Could this have been part of the MBUX update,
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 420
Likes: 241
From: Austin, TX / Munich, DE
E 53 Wagon
I would appreciate it if someone who has a W214 with the latest MBUX, could take a look at the taillights on their car, with the car running to confirm if they are on or off. I just tried turning the daytime running lights off and the taillights went off also, daytime running lights on, taillights on. Could this have been part of the MBUX update,
