Digital Light Activation
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2023
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ESQ450
Digital Light Activation
Is it legal to enable full digital light function in North America? I see May of you have used https://rjautomotive.net/ to activate. I was planning to do that but was curious if this is legal. I have a 580 SUV.
is this feature useful? I see mixed reviews on the forum.
Also current price is $460 for this coding job.. was the price cheaper during thanks giving?
is this feature useful? I see mixed reviews on the forum.
Also current price is $460 for this coding job.. was the price cheaper during thanks giving?
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Phoenix AZ & Cayucos CA
’27 AMG SL55(ordered), ‘23 EQS 580 SUV, ‘19 AMG E53 Cpe, ‘48 Willys Jeepster
I had RJ Automotive code both of our cars, several years ago in the 2019. No problems with the coding or afterwards. I don't know if it's legal but we never get flashed.
It was definitely a good value for the 2019 at around $250. Not so sure at the 2x price for the same feature on the EQS but I'm happy to have it, all of the projection features were already present.
It was definitely a good value for the 2019 at around $250. Not so sure at the 2x price for the same feature on the EQS but I'm happy to have it, all of the projection features were already present.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2024
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Digital Headlights
Is it legal to enable full digital light function in North America? I see May of you have used https://rjautomotive.net/ to activate. I was planning to do that but was curious if this is legal. I have a 580 SUV.
is this feature useful? I see mixed reviews on the forum.
Also current price is $460 for this coding job.. was the price cheaper during thanks giving?
is this feature useful? I see mixed reviews on the forum.
Also current price is $460 for this coding job.. was the price cheaper during thanks giving?
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 876
Likes: 81
From: Phoenix AZ & Cayucos CA
’27 AMG SL55(ordered), ‘23 EQS 580 SUV, ‘19 AMG E53 Cpe, ‘48 Willys Jeepster
I don't know about the warranty bit, but my SA knows that both of our cars have been recoded and have had been in more numerous services. The only problem that we had was when the camera module was replaced on the Coupe for something else and RJ Automotive re-did the coding.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 763
Likes: 166
From: Oregon USA
2023 Mercedes EQS 580 SUV, 2023 Bentley Bentayga, 2023 Genesis GV60
Here's what Chat told me to tell my SA:Subject: Service Request – Enable Adaptive Highbeam Assist PLUS on Digital Light Headlights
Request:
Please check Xentry / VeDoc for any open campaigns or service measures applicable to my vehicle, specifically related to the Digital Light headlamp system (Option code LG2 / 641).
I am requesting:
Notes:
Request:
Please check Xentry / VeDoc for any open campaigns or service measures applicable to my vehicle, specifically related to the Digital Light headlamp system (Option code LG2 / 641).
I am requesting:
- Verification of any open campaigns such as Service Campaign 2023070020 – “Update Software for Various Control Units” (released August 22, 2023).
- Execution of any software updates and SCN coding for the headlamp control units (N71/1 and N71/2) to enable Adaptive Highbeam Assist PLUS / Adaptive Driving Beam functionality now permitted in the U.S. under updated NHTSA FMVSS 108 rules.
- Confirmation that the latest approved software for the Digital Light system is installed.
Notes:
- This is a software activation for existing factory-installed hardware, not a retrofit.
- The goal is to enable the beam-shaping function inherent to the Digital Light system, where legal.
- Relevant terms in Mercedes documentation: LG2 – DIGITAL LIGHT with projection function, Adaptive Highbeam Assist PLUS, ADB.
Banned
Joined: May 2010
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S65
Technically, yes. But also, no, as the EU standards don't line up with US standards. Will a cop pull you over to give you a ticket for something he probably has no clue about? Chances are very extremely sooper dooperly slim.
I think you answered your own question. It's useful to some, and not so much to others.
Magnuson Moss warranty act. Read all about it. If you have ADD, the TLDR version is, a manufacturer may not legally void a warranty or decline warranty on a part that was not affected by a modification an end user performed. ie. a dealer / manufacturer can't say "We won't pay to replace your differential because you modified your lights".
Will the dealer know about it? Depends on how much they look for it. Chances are, your dealer doesn't give two shi...fts about some headlight mod unless that mod can be traced or tied to the failure of a component you're trying to get worked on under warranty.
is this feature useful? I see mixed reviews on the forum.
Will the dealer know about it? Depends on how much they look for it. Chances are, your dealer doesn't give two shi...fts about some headlight mod unless that mod can be traced or tied to the failure of a component you're trying to get worked on under warranty.
Last edited by Sathinas; Aug 24, 2025 at 11:38 AM.
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From: Oregon USA
2023 Mercedes EQS 580 SUV, 2023 Bentley Bentayga, 2023 Genesis GV60
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From: Oregon USA
2023 Mercedes EQS 580 SUV, 2023 Bentley Bentayga, 2023 Genesis GV60
Yes, it's legal, but the implementation details are different, so the European logic built into the headlights does not apply in the US. That's why most people get it done via independent third-party firmware hackers.
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From: Reading PA
26 EQS 400 SUV, 23 EQS 580 SUV (sold), 19 X7 (sold), 17/14 GLS550 (sold), 13 GL550 (sold)
What exactly are the differences between the European logic and US logic?
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From: Oregon USA
2023 Mercedes EQS 580 SUV, 2023 Bentley Bentayga, 2023 Genesis GV60
- FMVSS 108 finally permits ADB systems, but with stricter interpretations:
- The system must switch between defined “beam patterns” rather than continuously sculpting light.
- It must meet both legacy high-beam and low-beam photometric test points, even while adaptive.
- U.S. standards prioritize predictability and legacy test compliance over maximum illumination.
- This has forced automakers to either:
- Tone down their European ADB tech in U.S. cars, or
- Ship the same hardware but with different software logic — so the beam shaping is less dynamic and sometimes more conservative than in Europe.
Key Differences in Practice
- Europe: Smooth, surgical “carve-outs” around other vehicles. You almost always drive with adaptive high beams on.
- U.S.: Step-like transitions, more conservative cutoffs, more frequent full dimming to low beams. The system often feels less “magical” than its European counterpart.
- Reason: U.S. law requires compliance with rigid photometric test grids designed for old sealed-beam headlights, while Europe wrote rules from the ground up for adaptive LED and laser systems.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Oregon USA
2023 Mercedes EQS 580 SUV, 2023 Bentley Bentayga, 2023 Genesis GV60
I asked my dealer to do the coding but he said it's not possible. I asked him if it was OK with him if I went with a third-party like RJ, and he said as long as it doesn't affect anything, he was fine with it.
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From: Reading PA
26 EQS 400 SUV, 23 EQS 580 SUV (sold), 19 X7 (sold), 17/14 GLS550 (sold), 13 GL550 (sold)
Can you share the link to the info you posted above about the differences between European and US coding?
Super Member
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From: Oregon USA
2023 Mercedes EQS 580 SUV, 2023 Bentley Bentayga, 2023 Genesis GV60
Here's what I asked my friend Chat: What exactly are the differences between the European logic and US logic on beam forming headlights?
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2024 EQE Sedan
