Leetom

As other threads have discussed, the cornering lights are not functional on the US Spec 2012-13 MLs with Lighting Package. My Dealer confirmed this, and also noted that the full Intelligent Light system isn't operational on US Spec (even though the light assemblies have that printed on them...don't be fooled! Only the mild turning function with the steering works.). Anyway, we are thinking that pulling the Headlight Assembly out (can pull out by unlocking the unit from inside the wheelwell) and simply inserting a bulb in the socket for the cornering light will allow the function to operate. Anyone outside of the US have a replacement bulb spec, or can pull yours out to see what kind of bulb it takes?

Thimee

For what it's worth, on the S class it looks like it's a "H7": https://mbworld.org/forums/new-s-cla...ight-bulb.html

twodivers

Agree that US does not get the full functionality - but to say that only the directional function is all we get is not true. The ILS functions with auto-high beams very well. It automatically dips the high beams when appropriate. Just want folks to be clear.

YYZ-E55

ILS and AHA are not the same thing.

The full ILS system as available in Europe dynamically moderates the beam height depending on lighting conditions, oncoming traffic, etc. Our lights are very "dumb" in comparison with only AHA.

It's a real shame the US hasn't/won't homologate with European lighting standards. It would save us all money (manufacturers wouldn't have to develop/test/certify a separate lighting standard) and we'd have much better lighting. Oh, and no hideous amber reflectors on the front corners.

Leetom

YYZ-E55 I concur. I have the full US Spec lighting package including the Adaptive High Beam, and, contrary to "twodivers", they do not independently dip (true for non-US spec, they DO dip, but not here), rather it is a dumb high-beam setting that just automatically turns on the brights if it detects no light...of no use in the city, as any light tends to disallow the high-beam operation, keeping it in lowbeam mode.

I wonder if the hardware is there to do the full ILS, just needs to be told to be active? Anyone have any luck activiating the full ILS on a new ML in the US?

GregW / Oregon

Go for it! Would love to get them functional. Something tells me, however, that programming would also be required.

YYZ-E55

Programming will be tough since the ECU is tied to the country code. Naturally, there is no programming provision for ILS in US/Canada.

They've really locked down what can and cannot be done in terms of the Xentry system.

NCMike

There is always discussion on this forum about engine "tune" modifications to software to increase engine performance. I'm sure the same kind of programming change should be possible to set our headlight systems free. Probably not a big enough market however for any of the tuner folks to be interested, but it would be nice.

GregW / Oregon

Tuned headlights - like it! You're probably right about demand, though I'd pay a couple hundred or so to get them working.

Leetom

Think it is in the Engineering Menu on the on-screen menu? I've seen that in other threads, but no definitions of what all of those parameters mean. I have not scrolled through them yet, but very tempted.

shortspark

I live in the country where there is little traffic and no street lights whatsoever. Seventy-five percent of my driving is done on such roads. Game animals and critters of all sorts abound and the roads are cut close to the forests. With these conditions the lighting package was an absolute necessity for me and has made driving these roads at night a pleasure. I agree that the lighting package would be virtually useless for urban dwellers where the cornering function rather than the auto dim feature would be most useful.

I would have liked this function I suppose (and I thought it was part of the lighting package all along) but the wide field of view and the auto dim features of the adaptive lighting system are what is important to me. The cornering light ability would have been a nice bonus, but not a necessary one in my case.

ciparis

Are you sure it's not just that they operate together (left and right) rather than independently? My 2011 E350 definitely dipped continuously where it was able to -- I could watch the high-beams become lower and lower when out driving in rural areas as an oncoming car approached. It needed to be rural, mind you, because other lights will keep them off entirely, but it was terrific on road trips.

NCMike

The following was copied from a thread where JBONDOX detailed his installation of the ILS. Maybe he will chime in with what it might take to bring our 2013 ILS to life.

"... everything was perfect.

lights, running lights, DRL, turn signals, high beams, self leveling, and active curve illumination... works flawlessly. both in auto and with switching of the switch to on. Also the delayed lighting to light up your drive or walk when you turn the key off.

So in a nut shell, buy the vehicle with the damn lights, if you don't it might be cheaper to trade into another vehicle... or park it in a flood zone and let it float away...either would be cheaper than adding the factory kit to the ML.

Factory lighting package

•Bi-Xenon headlamps with Active Curve Illumination
•Adaptive Highbeam Assist
•Headlamp washing system
$1,290


This was about $4k and did not include the headlight washing system.

But it is possible. I will post more pics later but it looks like I am losing power as the lights were flickering... hell just like the aftermarket system I posted the other post early so I wouldn't lose it. not for the drama"

YYZ-E55

He installed the NAFTA-spec lights, which are not ILS-enabled.

twodivers

So, I have my AHA active, driving on the highway. There is oncoming traffic, and my beams "dip" down and then, as the oncoming traffic passes, they light up again. Similarly, as I approach traffic from behind, the high beams again "dip". I agree left and right do not work independently, and we don't get the full Euro ILS system. But, I'll repeat, to characterize the N. American system as "Only the mild turning function with the steering..." as LeeTom does, is not correct. BTW, LeeTom, I never did say they independently dip, sorry if I misled anyone, that was not my intent.

GregW / Oregon

Yes, I find mine vary beam pattern depending on conditions (only over 34 mph). The system can be fooled by street lighting.

Brewsterx

I have had the opportunity to drive my ML after dark on an extremely rural stretch of highway. One stretch of 10 miles or so had no other traffic, coming or going, and absolutley no street lights or any other artificial light. Nevertheless, the headlights occasionaly dimmed automatically, which was dangerous given the number of deer near the road. I had to switch back to manual control. I wonder if reflective road signs were fooling the system.

In another stretch where there were only a few cars and fewer deer, I tried it on automatic and it did seem that the degree of dimming was adaptive. When it worked it was terrific - too bad I couldn't count on it.