AvWuff

Hi everyone,

Have you noticed that the taillights in our 2013 and 2014 cars seem to have sections that aren't actually used?

Take a look at this diagram.




I get that the white section I've labelled ??? is probably nothing, but what is the lower section for? It appears to have LEDs inside it like the upper section, but I have never seen it light up.

Any ideas?

tn1

I wonder if it can be programmed so that the lower section functions as the brake light and the upper section as the turn signal. So separate lights instead of one light used for both brake and turn signal.

bytemaster0

There are actually no LEDs in that section. It is purely cosmetic, as only one lamp would look odd, visually. The second "lamp" therefore is added in, but if you look closely, there are no LEDs there, just plastic bumps that look like them.

AvWuff

Hmm. Poop. That seems really stupid. I wonder if it could be retrofitted to have some LEDs in it without destroying the taillight...

Rascally Wabbit

If the car has the optional bi-xenon headlight option, in 2013 & 2014, the rear lamps have LEDs. Possibly the same on earlier years or in the Euro market. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Looked into this for the earlier years & found that it is very difficult to swap out the lamps.

AvWuff

Yes, you are correct, they are already LEDs. I meant putting additional LEDs into the lower, "unused" lamp.

Ex-Military

Does the lower red section light up when you press the fog lamp button?

AvWuff

No -- if you look at my diagram, a small section just below the lower section lights up with the fog light, it is marked "Rear Fog Lamp" in my diagram.

Bob338

Through the years Mercedes has done this on many models. I'm guessing it is to provide for the various legal requirements to the many countries where the cars are sold and for streamlining of their manufacturing process.

In many of the older models this has occurred and one popular upgrade by owners is to provide power and lights to vacant spots. This is common in the W201's where one entire bank of taillights is inoperable and incomplete yet has vacant spots readily filled for an upgrade in brake lights. Same thing occurs in W123's and W124's, and others. I've done that 'upgrade' for my 190D. Easy to do and the power is there and available to comply with the many regulations around the world. I'm certain there are countries requiring those extra lights.

bop11

That lower section will be used in the future for messaging with a supper HD screen in each side. It will be hooked to the voice system so that you can tell the guy behind to get off you A-- or try to sweet talk the babe in the CLS to stop off at the next Starbucks.
Of course this is already a feature in Elbonia!

AvWuff

I actually had such a feature in my previous car:


http://www.avbrand.com/projects/carpc/ledsign/

It was fun, but nobody ever really paid attention to it.

gwernerjr

In europe it is mandatory to have amber turn signals in the rear. You cannot use the brake light as the turn signal like we do in the USA. Audi and VW have been converting all their US cars to brake light turn signals and it cuts the cost of additional bulbs. Mercedes is now following. The new 14' E, CLA(with led tails), 15' C, 14' S, GLA(with led tails) are all using the brake lights as signals and it looks so tacky.

The ??? section is where the halogen amber turn signal bulb for euro tails goes. The bottom LED section is just for show so they could use two sets of glass led light tubes for the tail lights as that is their new design language (CLA, C, S, GLA, E, GLK)

bop11

The sign is neat but I see your point. If they are dumb enough to tail gate they probably can't read. So maybe those spots are for future gun ports or electronic engine disabling darts?

phil17

interesting observation. I know that in BMW's when you are on your brakes HARD, separate light comes on? (but that could just be the fogs). I know on MB, a really hard stop actually triggers the hazards.. so like others have said, that space may be just there to meet various global requirements

MBKLUE

In Europe the rear turn signals are in the clear section at the bottom for 2013/14. Where you show the "???." Excluding the U.S., most, if not all of the world use amber color for the rear turn signals. Putting amber LEDs behind a red lens would attenuate the light output and probably give a funky color. Just seems so antiquated to me to not use different colors for different purposes like most places...