StormingHabs

I saw that NHTSA finally approved adaptive headlights in the US. Anyone know if the EQS in the US comes with the hardware that support this feature or do they use different lights for our market? I coded a BMW I had for this and it was really cool to see the "black box" around the car in front, would love to have it on the EQS.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.go...1-2022-web.pdf

c4004matic

Finally, it's been in the works for at least 5 years. All the cars have it, a simple software update should activate it.

AppleFan1

That's great. I hope you're right and it will be a simple software update for the EQS.

stealth.pilot

This is awesome news!

I hope the EQS has these. I know my wife’s 2020 GLE has it, and every BMW and Porsche I have owned in the last 8 years has had it. So EQS better have it.

jbattan

Not “all the cars” have it, but MB with ILS or Digital Light do, which is most of the high-end MB.
I use it in my GLS and it’s great, but, like SAE Level 2 autonomy, not foolproof. I have to override it when following some vehicles that don’t have standard rear light patterns.

hlothery

My 450 has digital LED Headlamps with projection function and Adaptive Highbeam Assist. Is that what you are talking about?

stealth.pilot

Yes that's it. Great news that the EQS has it.

So the next step is as follows:
The NHTSA approved a framework for adaptive matrix headlamps, but the OEMs need to ensure the software for the headlamps complies with the US framework (not clear if it matches European).
NHTSA Framework on Adaptive Headlights
Mercedes will look at its headlight software and determine any changes that are needed to meet US requirements.
Mercedes updates the software if needed
Mercedes tests the updated software against the requirements using the test standard specified by the NHTSA
Mercedes issues the software to the cars (not clear if it can be done over-the-air or requires a dealer visit)

I am very curious who gets this out first. My guess is that it will be Tesla because they have been fitting these headlamps since last year and they are geared to OTA software updates. Plus they tend to issue software first, and then correct later if NHTSA complains. My sense is Audi will be the other front runner because they have been chief agitators behind this.

There is also one other question - I haven't read the whole document but it sounds like there are hardware standards in there too so I hope the existing headlamps are compliant with those.

hlothery

Mine appear to be working, and IMO, working better than the ones I had on the M550.

avilent

On the EQS, MB implemented a software binary flag in the car’s configuration to disable ADB for US cars (due to the previous regulation). Canadian and European cars are fully unrestricted. With some luck, MBUSA can change this software flag from disable to enable via OTA. Can’t wait to have it on my EQS. On BMWs, it is easy for users to change these configuration codes with an ODB2 connector, I changed my ‘16 Alpina B6 to activate ADB and it works flawlessly.

stealth.pilot

I have reached out to one of the European coding guys to see if he can code it remotely. I also want to code the Rear DRL (rear light bar on during day) to match the Euro Spec models.

StormingHabs

Pls keep us updated on whether it’s possible, I’d love to get the adaptive lights working.

stealth.pilot

Here was the response from the coding guy (RJ Automotive).

hlothery

So, as a novice to this, maybe you guys can help me out. Are you saying that on my M550 in the past, and on my current 450+, I only have hardware which is not working without a software update? Just as on the M550, the lights auto dim, seem to follow my steering, and aux lights light up the path I'm turning into. What more does adaptive lighting do? Thanks in advance.

avilent

Yes if your BMW was built on/after 2016 and has LED headlamps, it has the hardware to support ADB. BMW merely disabled that functionality through software to ensure compliance with US law. I coded my 2016 BMW to enable that functionality and it has worked like a charm for 6 years. The EQS is in the same boat, provided you have the "Digital Lights" you have all the necessary HW, all that is missing a is software update to update the functionality.

stealth.pilot

That's right. You have the hardware, but some of the functionality is disabled. What you are getting on your cars is Active High Beam (where it turns high beams on and off automatically based on oncoming traffic) and lane curve illumination (where it directs lights into a curve).

What you are missing is this feature (which your hardware supports but which is disabled in US spec cars). You will notice this video is 9 years old. You can code some cars to re-enable this feature, but the EQS code has not been cracked yet.

avilent

On my 2016 6 Series, with ADB the headlights get masked when you follow another vehicle or when a vehicle is facing you in the opposite direction in such a way that the light doesn't impact the other drivers.

hlothery

Thanks so much. I love the info I get from you guys!

dukester34

2018 E here with the option i want it activated????????

qfg77

I had the "adaptive high beam plus" activated on my 2022 EQS by Simone at https://www.mercedes-benzcoding.com/. The guy is a real deal, he charged me about 1/2 price of RJ Automotive and followed through with another appointment.

sarhoshamiral

I had these enabled by RJ Automative and it works fine. The 2.4 update disabled the menu options unfortunately but features remained on, RJ said there is an issue with coding servers right now. Need to check if that is resolved now.

qfg77

The 2.4 update disabled my adaptive lights, waiting on coding servers update as well to get these re-enabled. Seems like a pain!