allanX204

I just noticed a small little amber light underneath the interior rear view mirror, which is on all the time. See picture below. I couldn't find anything about it in the owners manual. Do you have the same light? What is the purpose - anybody knows?

EnigmaAW

it just ambient lighting...shines down on the center console..

Jkrn2003

Map light.
Just in case you need to quickly glance at a map at night.

NYCGLK

nah, he is talking about amber one that has barely any light. I just saw it the other day too and was wondering what it is. It doesn't really shine much. I didn't see untill looking at the bottom of the mirror.

HDRyder9

When does it come on?

kyoshiro

I know some vehicles have it to illuminate the shifter

allanX204

it's not strong/bright enough to illuminate anything.

02glider

It is part of a laser tag system use to identify bad driving. If you have a yellow light you got your first tag. love to know what it is for but I like this answer.

The cap on the dash covers a laser sensor this is a leftover from the German automobile manufactures safety council program to improve safety by taking cars away from drivers that demonstrate poor driving skills. The theory is bad driving often causes accidents while not actually being involved in it. In Europe if you do something dumb other drivers can send your auto a signal by laser. If you receive 5 tags in a year’s time you receive a fine, in 3 years if you have 8 or more the German auto manufactures will not sell you a new car. If you have 12 your driver license could be revoked. I think it still works in here. You can check your status at night by putting your hand under the rear view mirror if there is no colored light you’re good, but if it is light yellow all the way to bright red you got tagged for doing something stupid.

NYCGLK

^^^LOL, and if it tuns purple aliens will come and take you with your car.

Cap on the dashboard was on both toyotas too, it's not unique to germans.

let's see if guys on C-forum can figure it out
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post4421276

MKenM

There is a small yellow light on the underside of the mirror closest to the driver. It is an indicator light used while programming garage door opener buttons of which there are three. It is also used when you push one of the 3 buttons to indicate that the button has been activated. Nothing quite as fancy as being hauled off into outer space when pushed.

NYCGLK

We are talking about different light tho, not homelink one. Homelink is on the left side next to the buttons, this light is to the right close to the center.

allanX204

==> see red arrow and circle in picture below

to give you support...

EnigmaAW

it only comes on when the lights are on

Mslaughter

My 5 series had that same type of lighting under the rear view mirror; I think its purpose is just to lightly illuminate the center console making it easier to find things at a glance, rather than turn on the bright overhead light.

rmfnla

^ What he said.

My G37 has one, too.

n8nu

Not where I see mine:

If it's suppose to help see the dash, it's only bright enough to light up something maybe 5" away.

MKenM

That's where everyone sees it. It is only seen when the head lights are on and you either put your hand under it when it is lighter or it shows dimly at night to faintly show the dash below. Thanks for the pix.

dingmah

In my 530xi there's a orange LED that actually illuminates bright as part of ambient lighting.

As for the one in the GLK... it doesn't illuminate jack, haha.

n5160u

The inside door release handles are also lighted this way and if you have the leather interior the footwells are also lighted dimly when the doors are closed and brightly when they are open if the ambient light sensor thinks it is dark outside.

rmfnla

Interestingly enough, there is no light of any kind for the ignition key.

GLKKa2H

I just don't know, however has it been widely discussed in the C-class forum as well: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ew-mirror.html.

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

NYCGLK

played around with lights, and it comes on whenever dashboard and lights behind sunroof and other controls light up. I don't think it's there to illuminate anything as light from everything else is much stronger. My guess it's just an indicator that mirror is wired and reacts to light switch, and serves no real useful purpose.

MKenM

^True. I went out into my dark garage and did a similar experiment. When the parking or headlights are on believe it or not it bathes the console in a warm light that reflects back at you. You can see the MB Star on the shifter and the ring around it. If you have the brushed Aluminium trim you can see its reflection. Not very noticeable if you are not standing still in the dark and not looking down at the console for some silly reason. But well intended.

allanX204

Thanks to you all for your "scientific" research

Happy Holidays!

noka

Bingo. While driving to work this morning (quite dark out) I noticed that the small amber light perfectly hits the top of the shifter knob when it is in "drive". I believe it's so you can easily locate the shifter when it's dark because although the light is not strong, when I covered it with my hand the shift knob virtually became invisible. I rather prefer the method my past BMW M cars used by lighting the shift knob internally, but the small MB amber light gets the job done.