arch85

Hello all!

I vaguely remember reading somewhere that the Active LED's are different in U.S. vs Europe -- can someone shed light on this? (no pun intended)

I think it had something to do with the anti-glare for oncoming / cars infront traffic being enabled in Europe but not in the U.S. Is this still the case?

If that indeed is the case, is there a big difference between the static LEDs vs the Advanced Lighting Package (minus the ambient light) in the U.S. GLCs? Worth the additional $1050 on MY18?

Thanks!

ajmtbm

i have the advanced lighting and i must say it is well worth $1050. i got it as part of the P3 package (which to be honest i didn't know was part of it until after i bought it) but the auto features (hi beam on off and cornering lamp) are beautiful at night. at a minimum i would recommend at least getting LED's vs the conventional as the light is nice and white and the eyebrow DRL is cool looking

arch85

Yeah, the MY18 coupe comes standard with Static LEDs -- I have read that LEDs in Advanced Lighting are brighter, and all the cornering and anti-glare features ... just not sure if all of those features are available in the U.S. or not. And if not, it is a justifiable cost to pay $1050 for just a little (or a lot? any input?) brighter light.

Thanks!

ted_jane

I am not sure what the anti-glare for on coming car is, but following is the description of the US version from the mbusa.com site:

"Active LED headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist

Pioneered by Mercedes-Benz, dynamic LED headlamps generate light that's even closer to natural daylight than the standard Bi-Xenon headlamps. Active Curve Illumination and Adaptive Highbeam Assist continuously vary the beam pattern of the LEDs in each headlamp to help maximize the illumination of corners and straightaways, without creating glare for other drivers."

ajmtbm

Sounds like the 1050 gets you the active lights but the lights themselves are the same. I can definitely see it actively working and getting brighter or dimmer and changing direction, which is a little disconcerting at first. Their description kind of makes it sound like it's better for others drivers... Maybe they should pay for it . The active features for me significantly help light the path much better at night.

Vaboy

I haven't gotten my car yet, but I watched videos and read everything I could about this and I decided I wanted this feature despite some potential differences between the European and US version. Many on this forum would not be without the Advanced Lighting pkg.

As far as the "anti-glare" feature, my understanding is the headlights actually stay on high beam more of the time if they determine they can adjust the angle down or to the side, thereby not blinding the oncoming driver. If they can't, that's where auto dimming kicks in.
That's why they're called Adaptive Highbeam Assist and not just an Auto Dimming function.

I did get the impression there WAS some difference in the level of sofistication between the two countries versions of these lights, but users on this forum convinced me they were the way to go.

This was an important feature to me because I live in more of a rural area and I need all the help I can get trying to avoid deer at night. I HATE dimming my lights at night because it cuts down on my ability to see down the road for too long a time. Hopefully these bad boy LED's will help that situation.

vratenza

In my part of the world, the Intelligent Lighting System (ILS) is without Adaptive High Beam Assist. That high beam assist function is an optional item.

arch85

Thank you everyone! Appreciate the responses.

I found this (scroll to the bottom of the page to see the limitation): http://www.loebermotors.com/blog/wha...ghbeam-assist/

"Update: Adaptive Highbeam Assist is available in the US, however the Mercedes-Benz MultiBeam LEDs are prohibited due to the following regulation."

So looks like we don't get the cool multibeam effects in the U.S. ... so ridiculous ... (the laws, not MB).

Anyway, based on the feedback I think I'll add that bad boy to my car It's a 60k car, what's 1k more? hah!

Vaboy

Thanks for finding that...I remember reading that but I couldn't remember that specific difference the US version was lacking. So does lacking Multibeams mean it still dims to low beams for oncoming traffic and the Adaptive part is more for curves and cornering? Ugggg!

Looks like the Multibeams would be a plus, safety wise.

Damn Government!!

Vaboy

Ok, I should have gone to your link first! So we still get dimming without going to full Low Beam mode.

Still a good thing.

fabbrisd1

Move on up - really - a whole-world-of-difference betw "static LED" and "full-LED Intelligent" and I mean a whole-world

wassup61

Not only is there adaptive lighting (curve illumination), high beams are full LED arrays on the adaptive lighting package, have auto on highs, and do some of the cool party tricks available in europe but not all...

wmc021

Worth every penny, best lighting system I've ever had on a car.

BCRCornet

I've tried to figure out what features and functionality of the LED ILS that work in Europe are not working in U.S. and Canadian GLC models, but I haven't been very successful. I understand that the "auto high beam dimming" (or equivalent) function works, but what else does? Do the ILS lights in North American models do what appears to be dynamic beam shaping, e.g., directing light at roadside and overhead signs, turning off direct lighting at oncoming and preceding cars, etc.?

Even despite not having all the Euro-spec headlight functionality, the LED ILS lights in my Canadian-spec GLC are superb!

shadownddust

I've found that on my coupe (US), they are pretty binary: either they light up brighter/move up when it's completely dark and no cars around or come back to in their standard position when it detects headlights/streetlights. There doesn't seem to be any additional traffic sensing features beyond that. But that alone was enough to make my wife go "wow!" on a late night drive home from dinner. They really are quite phenomenal.

augerpro

Do they swivel when you turn the steering wheel?

/////Tbro

yes

arch85

Thanks all!

Yeah, I think the only feature that's not in the U.S. model is the fancy multi-beam feature, which creates a dark block so the cars in front of you don't get blinded ... as a substitute, we get the differential range high beams.

's all good -- based on all the feedback, I guess I'll keep it on my build just hate the wait! ugh!

BCRCornet

What do you think - does the North American version of the system support directing light to overhead and roadside signs, even if it lacks the function of masking light directed at oncoming and preceding vehicles?

arch85

Highly doubt it. I believe the multi-beams are used for that purpose, which are not enabled in the U.S. I could be wrong though.

shadownddust

I can't say that they are directed towards signs, but signs are very well lit with the LEDs.

midesaka

From my experience, I'd say no. The lighting pattern rises in height to the right and that provides some extra signage illumination, but there is not any extra overhead signage illumination.

Another caveat: some drivers of oncoming cars will count the four illuminated segments of the ILS and flash you because they think your high beams are on, even if they're not getting glare.

Vaboy

I was wondering if that happens much, because I have noticed oncoming newer cars with BRIGHT lights, but they weren't necessarily blinding me. I guess drivers are going to have to get used to these new, more sophisticated lighting systems and realize they're not the old obnoxious HID's that DID blind oncoming drivers.

Of course, you hate to seem like a jerk and ignore the flash to dim your lights! You can't chance causing road rage these days.

ted_jane

Unnecessary flashing happens sometimes with the Xenon headlights on my BMW, but I just quickly (emphasize quickly) flash back to let the the flasher know the high beams are off. Is the option to quickly flash available with the Advanced Lighting Package?

Vaboy

Good point. I wasn't even thinking about a quick flash. Then the other driver is like "whoa, guess they weren't on bright"!

Accoding to the Owners Manual I found online, pulling forward on the left stalk is the High Beam flasher. Can't imagine that goes away with the Active LED option.