M-Class (W164) Produced 2006-2011: ML280CDI, ML320CDI, ML420CDI, ML350, ML500, ML550

Headlights auto mode

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Feb 1, 2006 | 02:19 PM
  #1  
chinhster's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: College Station, TX
2015 GL350, 2015 750i
Headlights auto mode

Is it me or is the auto mode flaky? I've noticed that after 5pm, my lights turn on even though there's not a cloud in the sky and it's still bright out (so bright I have to wear my sunglasses). And before 9am, the same thing happens. But at 1pm today, the sky is completely overcast, it's drizzling rain, and it's too dark to wear sunglasses, yet my lights didn't come on.
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2006 | 03:51 PM
  #2  
PHYBENZ's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 572
Likes: 1
1963 220Sb
Are you suggesting that they are maybe on a clock and not dependent on the actual lighting conditions? Do they come on in tunnels or garages or something like that, during the day?
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2006 | 05:21 PM
  #3  
chinhster's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: College Station, TX
2015 GL350, 2015 750i
It would almost seem that way. I left work early today and it's darker than dusk outside because of the light rain yet I still had to turn on my lights manually. FWIW, I have Nav and the clock sets itself.

My lights do turn on automatically when I pull into and out of my garage. I haven't been through any tunnels but I suspect they would turn on there too.

I hadn't noticed the issue with the lights until over the weekend when I had my car washed. I had assumed the guy cleaning my car had turned on the lights when he pulled around but after I got in it and saw that it was on auto, I got out of the car and saw that the lights were still on. This was about 5:30pm and there was just as much light out as 12pm. I checked my daytime running lights mode and it's set to off.

I can sort of understand the lights not turning on even though it's kind of dark outside right now because of the weather. What I don't understand is why it turns on when there's plenty of light out but it's late in the day.

If it's dark out and the lights come on by themselves, when you exit the vehicle, the exterior lights stay on for a while and then shut themselves off. Obviously during the day, the lights do not do this. However, I noticed that when the lights came on even though it wasn't dark out, after I exited the vehicle, the headlights did not stay on. I assume they turned off when I turned off the vehicle.

Kind of weird.
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2006 | 07:19 PM
  #4  
jangy's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
I think the sensitivity can be adjusted by the dealer. But, I prefer that they come on "early" rather than late. If they came on late, there would be too many times when I would have to use the lever. Now, I never use it.

Are my lights on when it is still light out? Yes. Are my light on when it is dark out? Always.
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2006 | 10:23 PM
  #5  
GregW / Oregon's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,782
Likes: 1,271
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Never use it

I think automation goes too far sometimes. I prefer to think for myself as to when I need lights. I do like the auto wipers, though.
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2006 | 11:17 PM
  #6  
chinhster's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: College Station, TX
2015 GL350, 2015 750i
Are my lights on when it is still light out? Yes. Are my light on when it is dark out? Always.
I agree wholeheartedly. My point though is why are they on before dusk but not on when it's overcast and raining?
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2006 | 08:09 PM
  #7  
ShoremNJ's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
From: NJ
ML 350-Black=Sold. New 08 C300 4Matic, Black/Black, P1, Ipod, Auto7speed, 10/10 hit 100,000 miles
i have noticed early morning that they are on even though it is light out.
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2006 | 10:35 PM
  #8  
chinhster's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: College Station, TX
2015 GL350, 2015 750i
5:40pm today, start the car, step out and look at the headlights, and find that they're off. Not only was it approaching dusk, but it was overcast too. I gave up on it... I turned the daytime running lights mode on.

Now if I can only figure out what the hell sounds like a marble rolling around in my car. I hear it when I make a turn or am on an incline. It sounds like it's coming from the passenger side pocket but there's nothing in there. It's driving me nuts. It's definitely coming from the right side of the vehicle, I just can't figure out if it's in the front or back much less where.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

 
story-3

7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 3, 2006 | 04:17 PM
  #9  
jangy's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
You gotta get out to see if your lights are on?
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2006 | 12:00 AM
  #10  
chinhster's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: College Station, TX
2015 GL350, 2015 750i
In the daylight I do.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2006 | 09:26 AM
  #11  
sosh's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Originally Posted by chinhster
In the daylight I do.
Why not just see if the small green light next to the headlight switch is illuminated???
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2006 | 11:35 AM
  #12  
Flipsonic's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Antioch, CA
2006 ML350
I don't use auto mode. I like to run my fog lights when my low beams are on. I wish there was a way the fogs come on automatically with the low beams. Also the life of the bulbs will last longer as my lights are on only when I need them on.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:50 PM.

story-0
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

Slideshow: Mercedes has never been afraid to experiment, and some of its strangest ideas turned out to be surprisingly successful.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-1
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

Sideshow: A Middle Eastern tuner has transformed the Mercedes-AMG G 63 into an open-top special, replacing nearly every exterior panel in the process.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 15:29:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-4
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-8
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE