M-Class (W166) Produced 2012-2015

Fiber optic LED Eyebrow

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Old Apr 11, 2012 | 10:19 PM
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krazyvshank's Avatar
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Fiber optic LED Eyebrow

Does anyone know why the LED eyebrow is amber in the US/Canadian models while it's white in the European model? I've seen some people say it's US law or something, but not sure if that's the real reason.
Audis have white LED "under-brows" here in the US....so, why not Mercedes?

Last edited by krazyvshank; Apr 12, 2012 at 11:44 AM.
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Old Apr 12, 2012 | 04:06 AM
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Because mbusa is stupid.
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Old Apr 12, 2012 | 11:18 AM
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Originally Posted by krazyvshank
Does anyone know why the LED eyebrow is orange in the US/Canadian models while it's white in the European model? I've seen some people say it's US law or something, but not sure if that's the real reason.
Audis have white LED "under-brows" here in the US....so, why not Mercedes?
Technically, what are they? Not Daytime Running Lights, those are the white LEDs. Standing Lights? Then, they need to be amber. Read this and report back: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-201...sec571-108.pdf.

Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Apr 12, 2012 at 12:20 PM.
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Old Apr 12, 2012 | 11:43 AM
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Thanks Greg!
But then, why are they white in Europe?
And that was a huge document...what should I look for in there?
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Old Apr 12, 2012 | 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by krazyvshank
Thanks Greg!
But then, why are they white in Europe?
And that was a huge document...what should I look for in there?
Europe's lighting regulations are different than US & Canada. US & Canada are similar, though DRLs are required in Canada but not in the US. I haven't found a part in that document I can relate to these. My original question is what are they, technically?
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Old Apr 12, 2012 | 01:07 PM
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I knew they are orange before picking up mine and was thinking why MB North America is doing that to us.

But after picking mine up and looking at it a few times, it starts to grow on me.
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Old Apr 12, 2012 | 02:10 PM
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I think they do look pretty cool, but I have no idea what their purpose is.
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Old Apr 12, 2012 | 02:14 PM
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I was the biggest skeptic when it came to the amber bar... but once I saw it in person, it looks better than the white in my opinion.
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Old Apr 13, 2012 | 03:46 PM
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Well, I hope I like the amber eyebrow too when I see it in person
It would be nice to have it switched on along with the DRL. Not sure if that is possible though.
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Old Apr 14, 2012 | 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by krazyvshank
Well, I hope I like the amber eyebrow too when I see it in person
It would be nice to have it switched on along with the DRL. Not sure if that is possible though.
Good news guys. I am able to get the "orange fiber optics eyebrow" on together with the lower LEDs.

Just set your light switch BETWEEN the "Standing" (P with arrows on both sides), and "A" or "Auto". Meaning your light switch needs to be at the "Parking" (two little lights symbol) setting. The downside to this is it will also turn on the rear running lights, but I don't mind. It only works during a bright outside ambient lighting environment (when the outside is bright enough NOT to trigger the light sensors).

During low outside ambient lighting environment, meaning when it's dark enough to trigger the light sensor to turn on your HIDs, HIDs will take over and override anything other than "OFF".

Enjoy cruising with your fiber optics & LED DRL.

Note: The above is for Canadian MLs with lighting package. US owners might need to activate your DRL feature first.

Cheers
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Old Apr 14, 2012 | 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by lboudreau
I was the biggest skeptic when it came to the amber bar... but once I saw it in person, it looks better than the white in my opinion.
Trader!! hahahaha
Merci, nice to hear good things about those light bars now that we actually have them.
Its like the brown paint I love it and my sales guy finally has seen it and thinks its an awesome color. The amber is a color we are used too.
I never liked BMW halos any color
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Old Apr 15, 2012 | 12:32 AM
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Originally Posted by dougiebear
Trader!! hahahaha
Merci, nice to hear good things about those light bars now that we actually have them.
Its like the brown paint I love it and my sales guy finally has seen it and thinks its an awesome color. The amber is a color we are used too.
I never liked BMW halos any color
I know!

But the pictures of the Amber bar really don't look as good as when you see it in person.
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Old Apr 15, 2012 | 03:21 AM
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Not gonna do it for me. I grew up as a young driver in the 90's when clear corners were all the rage. I grew up wanting the clear european look. Have you seen how good the clear looks in person in Europe? I bet it looks better than ours.
Still disappointed. I saw an early 550 in December on the freewAy and my first thought was not how cool they looked, but how disappointed they were amber.
On our '12 350 I even pulled out the amber bulbs out and rigged it so I don't get an error light because I dislike the ambers that much.

Last edited by jtorrebl; Apr 15, 2012 at 03:28 AM.
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