Auto lights coming on too soon

[Deleted member 65149]

Does anyone know if it's possible to adjust when the headlights come on when set to AUTO? I've no idea where the light sensor is, so it may just be that it's not as clean as it should be, or still has a protective film over it.

I've only had my brand new C350 Sport for just over a week but I'm already noticing that the headlights are coming on when the ambient light levels are still quite good. Perhaps this is MB safety taken a little too far, but I wouldn't have thought it was necessary to have them on so soon when the Daytime Driving Lights are on all the time.

 

[horgantrevor]

Not sure on your model but try behind the rear view mirror or on the corners of the dash

It may also be we're the rain sensor is for the auto wipers

 

[DSM10000]

They can also be triggered by high light levels from behind recorded by the sensor in the rear view mirror, the thought is that oncoming traffic may have problems seeing you in these conditons and hence your lights switch on to make you more visible in the glare.

The main light sensor is usually on the windscreen toward the top and centre.

 

[Justin1600]

The light sensor may need re-adapting on Star Diagnosis

 

[ace571]

I think it's a common trait on these facelifted C's. The sensor on mine is pretty sensitive also.

 

[rob_miller]

Mine is the same, the lights come when it is still quite bright.

 

[Red C220]

Yup, lights come on when it's still pretty bright.

 

[horgantrevor]

Could it be the tint in the glass itself that tricks the sensor to think its darker then it is

 

[mauno]

after glass change SDS to initialize sensor!!!

 

[jetski]

Hi I was also going to ask this question as my CLC does the same even today in bright sunshine but also having privacy glass in rear and two side rear windows I wonder if horgantrevor has a point, it's very much a pain in the backside though.

 

[@MARK]

So the light sensor measures infra red not visible light.

Because of this, certainly in the winter months when the sun is low in the sky and quite weak, it can appear that the lights are coming on a lot sooner than you think they should.

The sensor can be adjusted and/or reset by the dealer however the car will always err on the side of caution so will likely put the lights on earlier than you would.

The sensor itself it mounted behind the mirror. That part of the windscreen is not tinted for this very reason.

 

[GordonTarling]

Isn't this the reason that the switch has an 'OFF' position and an 'ON' position?

 

[@MARK]

Isn't this the reason that the switch has an 'OFF' position and an 'ON' position?

The man makes a very good point!

 

[jetski]

No real point in having Auto then.

 

[seven]

Isn't this the reason that the switch has an 'OFF' position and an 'ON' position?

No off position on new C class! Only auto and on.

 

[GordonTarling]

No off position on new C class! Only auto and on.

Sorry - didn't realise that. Bit of an oversight IMHO.

 

[Bosco]

I suppose coming on too soon is preferable to coming on too late.
IMHO it's over-automation anyway, another superfluous gadget that will eventually fail and generate the need for an expensive repair.

 

[DSM10000]

I suppose coming on too soon is preferable to coming on too late.
IMHO it's over-automation anyway, another superfluous gadget that will eventually fail and generate the need for an expensive repair.

Such cynicism!

So true!

 

[davidsw]

He was offered a fully loaded S class but said "the more it's got the more to go wrong"