So many Mercs with one side lights out

[Nigel H]

It seems more than a coincidence that I see so many modern Mercs with a side light out. Mainly C and E classes.

Is there a reason for it?

[r129sl]

I suspect what you are describing is the active cornering light function. Turn the wheel to the left and the left-hand fog lamp illuminates; to the right and the right-hand foglamp lights. Utterly pointless like so many of Mercedes' recent "innovations".

[Maff]

r129sl said:

I suspect what you are describing is the active cornering light function. Turn the wheel to the left and the left-hand fog lamp illuminates; to the right and the right-hand foglamp lights. Utterly pointless like so many of Mercedes' recent "innovations".

Must admit I thought the same about it being pointless when I spec'ed my car, but I live in the middle of no-where down a single track road and at low speed the cornering headlight function is actually very good and provides a lot of light to the 90 degree corners I am about to turn into, so much so I would certainly pay the extra to have it on my next Merc. In town or anywhere where there are street lights it would be of little help IMO.

[Nigel H]

Could well be that, I'll see if they are going round corners when i notice it next.

[chiefski26]

Nigel H said:

Could well be that, I'll see if they are going round corners when i notice it next.

It IS that i have it on my c63 and agree with maff it is most usefull.

[va1o]

Yes its the cornering light function, but everyone seems to think it means there's something wrong with the car, I've lost count of the number of people that have told me that! New VW/ SEATs do exactly the same.

[eldar]

chiefski26 said:

Nigel H said:

Could well be that, I'll see if they are going round corners when i notice it next.

It IS that i have it on my c63 and agree with maff it is most usefull.

My SLK does it, and its useful. Vauxhall's AFL does it far better, though...

[GTIR]

I get at least one person a month either pointing at my "broken" light, and then stopping half way as the other one replaces the one that was on!

It reminds me of the late 70's when my dad had a Volvo with side lights on (DRL's they call em now!) and people would flash him while mouthing "You're lights are on" and pointing at the front of the car and even come up to the window and tell him his lights were on the traffic lights. Used to drive him bonkers "They're supposed to be fking on!"

You can turn them off if you so wish. On the Merc's I mean, not sure about the Volvo.