I have watched with amazement the MB video "Headlamps in the New M-B E Class Multibeam LED" especially the feature at 2.36 "Avoid Glare of oncoming Traffic." BUT after doing some research there is a question in my mind of how much of the functionality that is described in the video is available in USA specification cars and for what model years. Frankly I know if I ask MBUSA I will get a canned response, "Ask you dealer." from their computer and that if I ask the dealer I will get a blank stare. However maybe some one here has an answer.

Mercedes intelligent multi bean led lighting video

 

I have a fully loaded 2017 E300 Luxury model with the P3 package. The multi beam works very well. When activated the car will drive in high beam until an approaching car then it will lower the beam or shift the lights. On the highway approaching overhead signs and street signs, it also turns on the high beams. When you turn on your indicators it illuminates the side and beams turns in the direction of the corner you are turning. I definitely love it and would not want another car without it. Good luck I your endeavors

 

The US doesn't get the full multi beam capability. There are several threads about this if you want to read them. Basically, some archaic law in this country prohibited cars having a high beam function without activating it by stalk, or something like that. We have the full headlamp with the multi beam bulbs, but the functionality is reduced by software. Anyway, the law was changed in late 2019 but I am not sure if the new models receive the full multi beam yet.

 

Thank you. You have illustrated the problem. There is just confusion as to what is functional and what is not. I have read the threads and they are not helpful. Ambiguous and unclear. Let me point out to you that in the 1950s GM sold vehicles with automatic dimmers where the driver did not have to use a stalk to dim the high beams. I think MBUSA should clear this up. After all they are selling the vehicles and charging for the Intelligent Lighting option.

 

The 1950's GM version had separate filaments for high beams and low beams contained in the glass enclosure. In the late 1950's separate physical elements were introduced in the form of quad headlights. Separate light sources for high beams is one of the regulatory issues. I'm surprised that the USDOT allows bright white LED's instead of the yellow light from times well past. Even today low end vehicles still use tungsten bulbs.

 

in the US, your multi beam light will have cornering lights (only activated when you turn the wheel at speeds below 30mph or so) and automatic high beams (they simply turn on and off when a car is detected).

 

They do a lot more than that. They turn when the car turns, and the high beams can stay on, while turning off leds that would shine into oncoming cars as well as cars going the same direction in front of me. That's not from a brochure; I've confirmed the operation, as have some others. I don't think they dim on road signs, though, like the European models do. I'm very happy with them.

 

rr, thank you. Some real world information.

There are six functionalities mentioned in the video:
1. Traffic sign recognition - reduced glare through traffic sign recognition
2. Adverse weather light - reduced glare effects on wet road conditions
3. Avoid glare of oncoming traffic
4. Bend light
5. Early recognition of obstacles when entering bend
6. Predictive bend light based on camera data

The video is from Mercedes and is on their You Tube channel. There is a technical description of the system with some nice graphics. The functionalities are well illustrated, other than #3 which is completely unexplained. There is no identification of jurisdiction, the voice over is in English, no disclaimers, not geographical restrictions. Its just out there. The owners manual mentions a couple of the functionalities but not all six. I am guessing that it applies to MY17 and thereafter, but that also is not disclosed.

 

if you are referring to 2020 models, then I cannot confirm if they do more. I wrote above that the US changed the law in late 2019. I am referring to 2019 models and before that have multi beam. They do not fade in and out when seeing an oncoming car.

 

My guess is that the hardware that was introduced in MY 2017 has not changed, but that maybe the software has? Which means a software upgrade should be possible at the customary rates. Since we are talking about safety features, I think it would behoove MBUSA to make such an upgrade available for liability reasons if no other.

 

I seriously doubt if there any safety issues with the current lighting implementation. AFAIK Without an existing safety issue upgrades to implement new safety features are neither required nor have they ever been required.

 

Oh I wish this were true. The MB sales model is we are stuck with software installed on car when we purchased it. If you want free over the air software updates for the life of the car get a Tesla. This really pisses me off because on the US web site MB shows all these wonderful features, with the small print that some are only available for European models. Its possible that an aftermarket solution might become available to recode lamps to full capability, but I seriously doubt MB will do this. Dealers will squeal about service bays being tied up while software is updated etc ...

 

Hence the reason I have decided to keep my 2017 P3 car until MB adopt the Tesla software model. I would never get a Tesla because they do nothing for me. I am tired of pouring money in cars that are outdated before you purchase them.

I customer ordered my 2015 C300 to get all the latest technology and the very next year the E class came out and was already light years ahead of the C class. Same thing here with my fully loaded 2017 P3 E class.

I have had enough, I wouldn’t even mind having the option to pay for the software updates

 

You can download the OS for your computer in your den over the internet for free, but to install a navigation update on the car you have to buy the update and pay to have a tech at the dealer install it the prevailing labor rate. Want a software upgrade, buy a new car. What a system.

 

Unfortunately that’s the way it has always been for all manufacturers. Tesla just happened to have shined a stadium powered spotlight on the situation.

 

To throw fuel on the fire:

I have a reservation on the First Edition Ford Mustang, their BEV. Subject to driving and sitting in it, it will replace my 2019 E450 when it comes off of lease.

They have followed Tesla and will have continuous over the air updates to all of their systems.

That is American technology and engineering!

see: https://media.ford.com/content/fordm...ng-mach-e.html

 

SInce MY '19, you can download your own nav updates for free.

 

Thank you. I think I last downloaded 17. And decided not again.

 

The multibeam headlight is one of the reasons I lean toward MB over Audi as the Audi Maxtrix lighting system is completely removed in the U.S., i.e. vehicle doesn't come with the hardware. I am reaching out to a number of car shop in my area to see if any shop can coding on my 2017 E300 to unlock the full function of the multibeam headlight. It comes to me this job probably need access to MB SDC4 kit along with DTS Monaco software.

 

Tony do you have an opinion as to what functionalities the US spec cars have.

 

Hey Hundens,

I believe Mike is more accurate on this in the Multibeam in Canada thread. But from my experience, if you have the multibeam headlight, this headlight will do a scan when you start the car, and it is only capable of automatic highbeam assist that is it will automatic turn on the highbeam for you when certain condition it meet like the car is fast enough and the road is dark enough.

 

The hardware is different. There's a thread here somewhere about someone who invested thousands to get the full functionality. It not only involved new lights, controllers and programming but having a well-placed contact changing the nationality of the car in the MB database. For all intents and purposes, it's not a possible mod.

 

Hey Buddy,

I am not sure which thread you saw this, but if you check Multibeam in Canada thread, I believe ppl are saying when have the same hardware compare to EU. Can you also share me the thread you are referring to? Thanks

 

The MY19 manual describes three functions of the exterior lights. (1) the automatic on/off, (2) the cornering lighting, which since it responds to the position of the wheel would seem to have some relationship to the "bend" function, and (3) the automatic selection of the high vs low beam, with the statement that the range of the low beams adjusts according to what it sensed. There is a graphic which seems to indicate more to the shaping of the beam, but who knows. Clearly nothing about adjusting to the weather, picking up traffic signs, glare reduction, or distant object selection. But I don't put much weight in the Owner's manual. It is difficult to read, and I don't think of it as authoritative. As someone posted the only way to know is to experiment, or get MBUSA to be helpful. The video first cited only ads to the confusion rather than helping.

 

Someone was able to activate all European ILS functions on a W205 C-class using coding. They claimed it would work the same on E and S mulitbeam setups.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-c63s-...ml#post7544433