When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
How to Visually Distinguish Between Advanced (Multibeam) & Standard Headlight?
Short of testing at night or looking at a build sheet or window sticker, is there a quick way to quickly identify a GLE with the Advanced Lighting Package just by looking at the front of a GLE (without the lights even turned on)? On other Mercedes models the lens assemblies and DRL are slightly different, so are there tell-tale cues for the GLE too?
Short of testing at night or looking at a build sheet or window sticker, is there a quick way to quickly identify a GLE with the Advanced Lighting Package just by looking at the front of a GLE (without the lights even turned on)? On other Mercedes models the lens assemblies and DRL are slightly different, so are there tell-tale cues for the GLE too?
As far as I know even the 'advanced lighting package' is not "MultiBeam" as it is on the GLS. This provides better lighting and auto on/off headlight assist but not MultiBeam LEDs. Even so, Multibeam LEDs are disabled in the USA by default due to archaic rules in the USA from 50 years ago. It's on by default for cars that have them in other countries, ex. Europe.
They are on, but only with the adaptive high beam function (and maybe some others).
There is a way to enable the true multibeam function in US, but you will have to purchase it (outside of Mercedes).
Wow, that is subtle. So am I correct in that the Advanced Multibeam units have that little extra eyebrow extension beside the headlight lens? It looks like the 2 inboard lenses/reflectors are a little different too, but I'm having trouble finding better photos of that.
Just to verify, the gray and silver GLEs below have the Advanced headlight, and the blue GLE beneath it has the standard headlight, right?
The main feature of the multibeam led that is disabled in the US market, is the ability to blackout a section of the highbeam while keeping the rest on.
It is useful when you are driving in a dark area (no street light), and there are cars passing (either on the left lane on multi-lane highway) or opposite direction. It will turn off the LEDs on the left side to prevent blinding oncoming traffic. This allow you to maintain highbeam on the right side where there is no traffic. (opposite for right hand drive car).
Here is an example. You can see the "cutoff" line based on the light on the bridge. It lights up the right side of it while keeping highbeam off on the left side where the cars are.
For US (maybe other markets also), there is a "Multibeam LED" logo inside the headlight housing which tells you if you have that option or not.
And, I do hate the US regulation for headlights are so behind.
Last edited by zengshengliu; 09-14-2020 at 06:56 PM.
I had my multibeam LED enabled in USA with mbux coding. Cost me extra $ but I hate having headlights with features I can’t use. I wanted to try it out. Can disable as well to revert to original.
And from the front, the Advanced units have 4 projector lenses, but the standard units only have 2 outboard projector lenses and 2 inboard reflectors?
Yes, you’re correct. The base lights have projectors on the outboard and reflectors on the inboard whereas on the ILS, all four beams are projector. Easiest way to tell.
The full European Multibeam LEDs are somewhat gimmicky in ways...I'm fairly sure you are not missing much!
Really? They are extremely useful imo. They are amazing on dark, wet roads. Especially when you catch up traffic up front and they light up the side of the road instead. Awesome feature I wouldn't be without.
I would agreed with Philamg and Hchaugen. It is useful at night time, especially when there is no street light and with oncoming traffic (or traffic passing you). It keep the side of the road illuminated. In my photo above, it might not be clear, but imagine travelling on a country side road without barriers, the extra lights could help you spot potential animals trying to cross the road (or really anything else) without risk of blinding oncoming traffic.
It just sad that I have to pay extra (not from Mercedes) to enable that feature in the US. The headlight itself is the same unit as the rest of the world (if you have the option), it just disabled by the software.
Last edited by zengshengliu; 09-15-2020 at 11:20 PM.
Short of testing at night or looking at a build sheet or window sticker, is there a quick way to quickly identify a GLE with the Advanced Lighting Package just by looking at the front of a GLE (without the lights even turned on)? On other Mercedes models the lens assemblies and DRL are slightly different, so are there tell-tale cues for the GLE too?
The advanced lighting package headlights have a placard inside the headlight assembly that says (multibeam LED). I must say these lights are awesome and are worth every penny.
Last edited by TexAg91; 09-15-2020 at 02:39 PM.
Reason: poor grammar
Really? They are extremely useful imo. They are amazing on dark, wet roads. Especially when you catch up traffic up front and they light up the side of the road instead. Awesome feature I wouldn't be without.
They are useful in some ways but certainly have their flaws!
My car has the better lighting but I do not know if it is fully functional in Canada. We may follow the US standard as opposed to ROW. In any event, it is an excellent lighting system and in my opinion is worth the additional dollars.
09-14-2020, 10:00 AM
