Amazing experience - ILS+ (Intelligent Lights) in the US
03-27-2022, 01:43 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Amazing experience - ILS+ (Intelligent Lights) in the US
So, maybe there is another W222 in the US with the ILS+ activated (Intelligent light system) , but i am not aware. I discussed taking the risk on my older w222 (2014) with Benz Ninja. We decided to give it a shot (well, he did). After an hour of coding and saving and coding, I had a new sub-menu in my lighting menu. The setting allows for activating intelligent headlights. I eagerly activated, but had to wait 4 hours until darkness to test.
The Test;
At dark, the headlights activated as usual, and the following is of note;
1) even within the congested city of Houston, thus, no high beams, the beam pattern was still different. It was larger and brighter. I found this very much an improvement. I deactivated to see if it was psychosomatic. it was not, there is a difference.
2) I was sure i would get the headlight flash from oncoming cars because i could see road signs light up way down the road. I drove for 3 hours and this never happened.
3) In rural areas, the high beam indicator came on when ever the system thought it appropriate. strangely this stayed on even in oncoming traffic. I waited for the headlight flash. after an hour in this rural driving condition and passing hundreds of oncoming cars, not one headlight flash. Now i will admit, i could not see the highbeam adjust to miss the oncoming traffic because it just did not get dark enough around the houston metro. but passing nearly a hundred cars with the high beam indicator ON, and with no flash is indicative of the system functioning properly.
4) when in rural areas, if the lighting up ahead was determined to be bright enough by the system sensors, the highbeams seem as if they then point to the sides of the roads, making the beam pattern even wider. I'm confused as to if this is what i really saw.
5) the amount of light is literally stunning, especially when considering our standard w222 LED headlight are quite good.
6) many years of owning MB's and many years of S-classes, and this one is one of the more amazing.
7) Tonight , I will drive around and waste $6/gallon gas just to witness this again. (although i have too much to do - the tasking will suffer tonight)
8) i will not video, as my eyes dont bear witness to anything that i could point to in the video, but the beam pattern is bigger brighter and somehow does not blind oncoming traffic. it is really amazing. I kept asking "is this person going to flash me?" car after car.
i cant wait to read about others experiences with this upgrade that definitely "is" possible thru C4 and videamo (sp?) on our w222's
unfortunately, my beloved w124, of which i was already struggling with the poor lighting compared to the w222, will now have an even greater difference.... wow. The old girl will likely be donated soon.
the AMG is up next
just think, in ten years this will likely be standard apparatus on any mid priced car, but MB did it quite a few years back.
The Test;
At dark, the headlights activated as usual, and the following is of note;
1) even within the congested city of Houston, thus, no high beams, the beam pattern was still different. It was larger and brighter. I found this very much an improvement. I deactivated to see if it was psychosomatic. it was not, there is a difference.
2) I was sure i would get the headlight flash from oncoming cars because i could see road signs light up way down the road. I drove for 3 hours and this never happened.
3) In rural areas, the high beam indicator came on when ever the system thought it appropriate. strangely this stayed on even in oncoming traffic. I waited for the headlight flash. after an hour in this rural driving condition and passing hundreds of oncoming cars, not one headlight flash. Now i will admit, i could not see the highbeam adjust to miss the oncoming traffic because it just did not get dark enough around the houston metro. but passing nearly a hundred cars with the high beam indicator ON, and with no flash is indicative of the system functioning properly.
4) when in rural areas, if the lighting up ahead was determined to be bright enough by the system sensors, the highbeams seem as if they then point to the sides of the roads, making the beam pattern even wider. I'm confused as to if this is what i really saw.
5) the amount of light is literally stunning, especially when considering our standard w222 LED headlight are quite good.
6) many years of owning MB's and many years of S-classes, and this one is one of the more amazing.
7) Tonight , I will drive around and waste $6/gallon gas just to witness this again. (although i have too much to do - the tasking will suffer tonight)
8) i will not video, as my eyes dont bear witness to anything that i could point to in the video, but the beam pattern is bigger brighter and somehow does not blind oncoming traffic. it is really amazing. I kept asking "is this person going to flash me?" car after car.
i cant wait to read about others experiences with this upgrade that definitely "is" possible thru C4 and videamo (sp?) on our w222's
unfortunately, my beloved w124, of which i was already struggling with the poor lighting compared to the w222, will now have an even greater difference.... wow. The old girl will likely be donated soon.
the AMG is up next
just think, in ten years this will likely be standard apparatus on any mid priced car, but MB did it quite a few years back.
Last edited by kafklatsch; 03-27-2022 at 02:51 PM.
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and 5 others liked this post.
03-27-2022, 01:53 PM
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So, maybe there is another W222 in the US with the ILS+ activated (Intelligent light system) , but i am not aware. I discussed taking the risk on my older w222 (2014) with Benz Ninja. We decided to give it a shot. After an hour of coding and saving and coding, I had a new sub-menu in my lighting menu. The setting allows for activating intelligent headlights. I eagerly activated, but had to wait 4 hours until darkness to test.
The Test;
At dark, the headlights activated as usual, and the following is of note;
1) even within the congested city of Houston, thus, no high beams, the beam pattern was still different. It was larger and brighter. I found this very much an improvement. I deactivated to see if i it was psychosomatic. it was not, there is a difference.
2) I was sure i would get the headlight flash from oncoming cars because i could see road signs light up way down the road. I drove for 3 hours and this never happened.
3) In rural areas, the high beam indicator came on when ever the system thought it appropriate. strangely this stayed on even in oncoming traffic. I waited for the headlight flash. after an hour in this rural driving condition and passing hundreds of oncoming cars, not one headlight flash. Now i will admit, i could not see the highbeam adjust to miss the oncoming traffic because it just did not get dark enough around the houston metro. but passing nearly a hundred cars with the high beam indicator ON, and with no flash is indicative of the system functioning properly.
4) when in rural areas, if the lighting up ahead determined to be bright enough, the highbeams seem as if they then point to the sides of the roads, making the beam pattern even wider. I'm confused as to if this is what i really saw.
5) the amount of light is literally stunning, especially when considering our standard w222 LED headlight are quite good.
6) many years of owning MB's and many years of S-classes, and this one is one of the more amazing.
7) Tonight , I will drive around and waste $6/gallon gas just to witness this again. (although i have too much to do - the tasking will suffer tonight)
8) i will not video, as my eyes dont bear witness to anything that i could point to in the video, but the beam pattern is bigger brighter and somehow does not blind oncoming traffic. it is really amazing.
i cant what to read others experiences with this upgrade that definitely is possible thru C4 and videamo (sp?) on our w222's
unfortunately, my beloved w124, of which i was already struggling with the poor lighting compared to the w222, will now have an even greater difference.... wow. The old girl will likely be donated soon.
the AMG is up next
The Test;
At dark, the headlights activated as usual, and the following is of note;
1) even within the congested city of Houston, thus, no high beams, the beam pattern was still different. It was larger and brighter. I found this very much an improvement. I deactivated to see if i it was psychosomatic. it was not, there is a difference.
2) I was sure i would get the headlight flash from oncoming cars because i could see road signs light up way down the road. I drove for 3 hours and this never happened.
3) In rural areas, the high beam indicator came on when ever the system thought it appropriate. strangely this stayed on even in oncoming traffic. I waited for the headlight flash. after an hour in this rural driving condition and passing hundreds of oncoming cars, not one headlight flash. Now i will admit, i could not see the highbeam adjust to miss the oncoming traffic because it just did not get dark enough around the houston metro. but passing nearly a hundred cars with the high beam indicator ON, and with no flash is indicative of the system functioning properly.
4) when in rural areas, if the lighting up ahead determined to be bright enough, the highbeams seem as if they then point to the sides of the roads, making the beam pattern even wider. I'm confused as to if this is what i really saw.
5) the amount of light is literally stunning, especially when considering our standard w222 LED headlight are quite good.
6) many years of owning MB's and many years of S-classes, and this one is one of the more amazing.
7) Tonight , I will drive around and waste $6/gallon gas just to witness this again. (although i have too much to do - the tasking will suffer tonight)
8) i will not video, as my eyes dont bear witness to anything that i could point to in the video, but the beam pattern is bigger brighter and somehow does not blind oncoming traffic. it is really amazing.
i cant what to read others experiences with this upgrade that definitely is possible thru C4 and videamo (sp?) on our w222's
unfortunately, my beloved w124, of which i was already struggling with the poor lighting compared to the w222, will now have an even greater difference.... wow. The old girl will likely be donated soon.
the AMG is up next
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Danielsan (11-22-2022)
03-27-2022, 02:43 PM
#3
Super Member
No sir, Thank You!
Now all we need is a master list of W222 Facelift upgrades to activate with the professional assistance of BenzNinja...
1. Adaptive High-beam PLUS, Enable
2. Top Speed Limiter, set to Germany max 252 KPH
3. ECO-START/ STOP, set to off
What else can we add ??
Video while driving?
New Battery coding?
Now all we need is a master list of W222 Facelift upgrades to activate with the professional assistance of BenzNinja...
1. Adaptive High-beam PLUS, Enable
2. Top Speed Limiter, set to Germany max 252 KPH
3. ECO-START/ STOP, set to off
What else can we add ??
Video while driving?
New Battery coding?
03-27-2022, 04:24 PM
#4
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Hampshire , UK
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2008 GL420 CDi and 2015 S500
This guy from a UK dealership explains the lights very well, I do have the system in my 2015 S Class but the newer updated system he is talking about is even better , I do not think ( or I have never noticed ) the side lighting up when I put the indicator turn signal on is on my car.
Last edited by roviw1; 03-27-2022 at 04:29 PM.
03-27-2022, 09:34 PM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I am 99% sure
our headlights as standard on most w222 have the correct headlights but with US coding. It is the euro (or global) coding that allows activation of the ILS+ system. Your hardware is ready on almost all w222
To complete the response here, your car must have equipment code 608 (or IHC) and 640 ( or dynamic headlights) which most all US spec W222’s do
thens its a programming effort
our headlights as standard on most w222 have the correct headlights but with US coding. It is the euro (or global) coding that allows activation of the ILS+ system. Your hardware is ready on almost all w222
To complete the response here, your car must have equipment code 608 (or IHC) and 640 ( or dynamic headlights) which most all US spec W222’s do
thens its a programming effort
03-28-2022, 02:19 AM
#7
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3) In rural areas, the high beam indicator came on when ever the system thought it appropriate. strangely this stayed on even in oncoming traffic. I waited for the headlight flash. after an hour in this rural driving condition and passing hundreds of oncoming cars, not one headlight flash. Now i will admit, i could not see the highbeam adjust to miss the oncoming traffic because it just did not get dark enough around the houston metro. but passing nearly a hundred cars with the high beam indicator ON, and with no flash is indicative of the system functioning properly.
Foggy weather or downhill roads just before turning to uphill are good test scenarios if there is a car driving in front. One can clearly see the sector with the car in front in low beam (the rear of the car not lit up) but to the left and right high beams lighting up the road far ahead. More complex traffic scenarios are more interesting but not equally easy for demonstration.
Mercedes owners report a few flashes here and there from oncoming cars. I'm sure many of those are because the driver did not notice the normal abrupt change of high beam to low beam. Another one is driving uphill and the oncoming car on the top of the hill where standard low beams dazzle the other driver. The W223 is clever enough to adjust low beams accordingly taking road undulation into account (where the map data covers this info).
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kafklatsch (05-19-2022)
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03-28-2022, 03:06 AM
#8
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thanks for posting this useful review on the headlights . I can't imagine how those will work great and neatly improved compared to my old W212's Adaptive Headlights 
Happy Driving
Happy Driving
03-28-2022, 04:39 PM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thank you,
my second test drive was equally interesting (at least to me)
I found a dark less traveled road and made passes back and forth about 7 miles each way.
you can see the light reflect off signs a mile down the road, but yet, "not" blind oncoming traffic.
Of Note
The resultant beam pattern with the combination of high and low beams is different than when High beam is manually engaged
if you manually engage the high beam switch, the tree tops start to light up - which we are all familiar with on regular high beam
If you turn off the high beams while the ILS+ is engaged, you only notice a minor to moderate reduction in the beam path, unless its very dark.
if very dark, the high beam pattern is long, and of course, much more noticeable when deactivated
The low beams are aimed quite well and the high beam aids them as the typical arrangement.
This tells me that MB didnt just "brighten" the road... the intelligence is real
the darker the road, the further the high beams extend out
i still could not get a "flash" from oncoming traffic after another hour of high beam ON with intelligent lighting engaged,
HOWEVER
there was a moment when I disengaged the system while a car was oncoming, and in mere seconds after disengaging, he flashed me
So the only flash I received was a few seconds after deactivating the ILS+ System..... strange..
I have no explanation other than the lights were adjusting(moving) after deactivation and gave a glare at the right moment as the beams moved to the deactivated position.
I did turn on manual high beams to test.., but had to stop quickly...... because every car flashed me !
Overall, the beam pattern almost feels like daylight ... it is really nice.
you can tell the headlights are special when you look at them on the car...... special indeed
Other banter,
For the life of me, I cannot understand how the DOT or SAE would reject these.... one road test would win anyone over.
maybe allow them while further studies are done.. maybe maybe???...... but I digress.... fantastic technology.
my second test drive was equally interesting (at least to me)
I found a dark less traveled road and made passes back and forth about 7 miles each way.
you can see the light reflect off signs a mile down the road, but yet, "not" blind oncoming traffic.
Of Note
The resultant beam pattern with the combination of high and low beams is different than when High beam is manually engaged
if you manually engage the high beam switch, the tree tops start to light up - which we are all familiar with on regular high beam
If you turn off the high beams while the ILS+ is engaged, you only notice a minor to moderate reduction in the beam path, unless its very dark.
if very dark, the high beam pattern is long, and of course, much more noticeable when deactivated
The low beams are aimed quite well and the high beam aids them as the typical arrangement.
This tells me that MB didnt just "brighten" the road... the intelligence is real
the darker the road, the further the high beams extend out
i still could not get a "flash" from oncoming traffic after another hour of high beam ON with intelligent lighting engaged,
HOWEVER
there was a moment when I disengaged the system while a car was oncoming, and in mere seconds after disengaging, he flashed me
So the only flash I received was a few seconds after deactivating the ILS+ System..... strange..
I have no explanation other than the lights were adjusting(moving) after deactivation and gave a glare at the right moment as the beams moved to the deactivated position.
I did turn on manual high beams to test.., but had to stop quickly...... because every car flashed me !
Overall, the beam pattern almost feels like daylight ... it is really nice.
you can tell the headlights are special when you look at them on the car...... special indeed
Other banter,
For the life of me, I cannot understand how the DOT or SAE would reject these.... one road test would win anyone over.
maybe allow them while further studies are done.. maybe maybe???...... but I digress.... fantastic technology.
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BenzV12 (03-30-2022),
compaddict (03-28-2022)
03-28-2022, 05:42 PM
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2020 S560 4Matic
I would happiy pay!
03-29-2022, 10:21 AM
#15
Junior Member
No sir, Thank You!
Now all we need is a master list of W222 Facelift upgrades to activate with the professional assistance of BenzNinja...
1. Adaptive High-beam PLUS, Enable
2. Top Speed Limiter, set to Germany max 252 KPH
3. ECO-START/ STOP, set to off
What else can we add ??
Video while driving?
New Battery coding?
Now all we need is a master list of W222 Facelift upgrades to activate with the professional assistance of BenzNinja...
1. Adaptive High-beam PLUS, Enable
2. Top Speed Limiter, set to Germany max 252 KPH
3. ECO-START/ STOP, set to off
What else can we add ??
Video while driving?
New Battery coding?
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Danielsan (06-13-2023)
04-01-2022, 05:30 PM
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2016 S63, 2013 SL63
My C3 wouldn't work for the upgrade. I bought a https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000333888509.html that should arrive in ten days.
If anyone wants to rent it for 50.00 plus shipping back and forth after I'm done.. Let me know!
After it's paid for.. Free!
Vince
If anyone wants to rent it for 50.00 plus shipping back and forth after I'm done.. Let me know!
After it's paid for.. Free!
Vince
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Sleeper Benz (04-02-2022)
04-04-2022, 01:48 PM
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Thread Starter
Only half of the equation
you will also need a specific laptop/computer with the the software installed… several types of software..and at a cost to install
Is this included in the 50 dollar rental?
its a tougher thing to accomplish if not included…since the diyer will have to do the laptop and software..
hopefully you get a full rental plan in place
you will also need a specific laptop/computer with the the software installed… several types of software..and at a cost to install
Is this included in the 50 dollar rental?
its a tougher thing to accomplish if not included…since the diyer will have to do the laptop and software..
hopefully you get a full rental plan in place
My C3 wouldn't work for the upgrade. I bought a https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000333888509.html that should arrive in ten days.
If anyone wants to rent it for 50.00 plus shipping back and forth after I'm done.. Let me know!
After it's paid for.. Free!
Vince
If anyone wants to rent it for 50.00 plus shipping back and forth after I'm done.. Let me know!
After it's paid for.. Free!
Vince
04-04-2022, 01:58 PM
#20
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2016 S63, 2013 SL63
That is a great idea! I own a brick and mortar computer store so I will put together a laptop (with Peters permission of course) with the bulk of his SW.
Should make the job much easier and eliminate some of the unknowns for him.
Again, great idea!
The rental part is easy and risk free for me. I will charge the cost of the unit and when I get it back, refund less 50.00.
If it goes direct to the next person, they save the shipping costs back to me.
I will be the bank if no one else wants/needs it.
Vince
Should make the job much easier and eliminate some of the unknowns for him.
Again, great idea!
The rental part is easy and risk free for me. I will charge the cost of the unit and when I get it back, refund less 50.00.
If it goes direct to the next person, they save the shipping costs back to me.
I will be the bank if no one else wants/needs it.
Vince
Last edited by compaddict; 04-04-2022 at 02:04 PM.
04-04-2022, 03:07 PM
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Only half of the equation
you will also need a specific laptop/computer with the the software installed… several types of software..and at a cost to install
Is this included in the 50 dollar rental?
its a tougher thing to accomplish if not included…since the diyer will have to do the laptop and software..
hopefully you get a full rental plan in place
you will also need a specific laptop/computer with the the software installed… several types of software..and at a cost to install
Is this included in the 50 dollar rental?
its a tougher thing to accomplish if not included…since the diyer will have to do the laptop and software..
hopefully you get a full rental plan in place
04-04-2022, 03:22 PM
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2012 CLS63
Wait......are you saying gas is 6 per gallon where you live?!
04-04-2022, 03:43 PM
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for this tune I only need a laptop with windows 7 x64 or windows 10 x64 not software I install what I need and uninstall after
and a C4 with it's obd and lan cable
that's it
and a C4 with it's obd and lan cable
that's it
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