high beam MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class SEDAN 2012 W204 User Guide

The system automatically adapts the low-
beam headlamp range depending on the
distance to the other vehicle. Once the
system no longer detects any other vehicles,
it reactivates the high-beam headlamps.
The system's optical sensor is located behind
the windshield near the overhead control
panel.XTo activate: activate the Adaptive
Highbeam Assist function using the on-
board computer ( Y page 207).XTurn the light switch to c or à .XPress the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow :
( Y page 109).
If it is dark and the light sensor activates
the low-beam headlamps, the _
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up.
If you drive faster than approximately
28 mph (45 km/h):
the headlamp range is set automatically
depending on the distance between the
vehicle and other road users.
If you drive faster than approximately
35 mph (55 km/h) and no other road users
are identified:
the high-beam headlamps are switched on
automatically. The K indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster also lights up.When you drive slower than approximately
30 mph (45 km/h) or if other road users
are identified or if the roads are sufficiently
illuminated:
the high-beam headlamps are switched off
automatically. The K indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out. The _
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
stays on.XTo deactivate: move the combination
switch back to its normal position.
The _ indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.GWARNING
The Adaptive Highbeam Assist is only an aid
intended to support you while driving. The
driver is and remains responsible for proper
vehicle lighting in accordance with the
prevailing light, sight and traffic conditions.
The system may be impaired or unavailable
when
R visibility is poor, e.g. due to snow, rain, fog,
or heavy spray
R the optical sensor area of the windshield is
dirty, fogged up, or covered by a sticker for
example
The system cannot recognize the following
road users:
R Road users without a lighting system of
their own, e.g. pedestrians
R Road users with dim lighting of their own,
e.g. cyclists
R Road users whose lighting is obstructed,
e.g. road users behind a guardrail
R In some seldom cases, even road users with
a lighting system of their own may be
recognized too late or not at all.
The automatic high-beam headlamps will then
not be deactivated or it will be activated in
spite of preceding or oncoming road users.
This could endanger you and/or others and
cause an accident. Always pay close attention
to the traffic situation and switch off the high
beam manually if necessary.
Exterior lighting111Lights and windshield wipersZ

Never use a bulb which has been dropped.
Such a bulb may break or even explode and
injure you.
Halogen bulbs are pressurized and can
explode when you change them, particularly
if they are very hot. You should therefore wear
eye protection and gloves when you are
changing them.
Overview: changing bulbs/bulb types
You can change the following bulbs. The bulb
type can be found in the legend.
Halogen headlamps
:Parking lamp/standing lamp: W 5 W;High-beam headlamp: H7 55 W=Low-beam headlamp: H7 55 W
Bi-Xenon headlamps
:Cornering lamp: H7 55 W
Tail lamp
:Backup lamp: P 21 W;Brake lamp: P 21 W=Brake lamp/tail lamp: P 21 W
Changing the front bulbs
Low-beam headlamps (halogen
headlamps)
XSwitch off the lights.XOpen the hood.XTurn housing cover : counter-clockwise
and pull it out.XTurn bulb holder ; counter-clockwise and
pull it out.XTake the bulb out of bulb holder ;.XInsert the new bulb into bulb holder ;.XInsert bulb holder ; into the lamp and turn
it clockwise.XAlign housing cover : and turn it
clockwise until it engages.114Replacing bulbsLights and windshield wipers

High-beam headlamps (halogen
headlamps)XSwitch off the lights.XOpen the hood.XTurn housing cover : counter-clockwise
and pull it out.XTurn bulb holder ; counter-clockwise and
pull it out.XTake the bulb out of bulb holder ;.XInsert the new bulb into bulb holder ;.XInsert bulb holder ; into the lamp and turn
it clockwise.XAlign housing cover : and turn it
clockwise until it engages.
Parking lamps/standing lamps
(halogen headlamps)
XSwitch off the lights.XOpen the hood.XTurn housing cover : counter-clockwise
and pull it out.XPull out bulb holder ;.XTake the bulb out of bulb holder ;.XInsert the new bulb into bulb holder ;.XInsert bulb holder ;.XAlign housing cover : and turn it
clockwise until it engages.
Cornering light function (Bi-Xenon
headlamps)
XSwitch off the lights.XOpen the hood.XTurn housing cover : counter-clockwise
and pull it out.XTurn bulb holder ; counter-clockwise and
pull it out.XTake the bulb out of bulb holder ;.XInsert the new bulb into bulb holder ;.XInsert bulb holder ; into the lamp and turn
it clockwise.XAlign housing cover : and turn it
clockwise until it engages.
Changing the rear bulbs
Opening and closing the side trim
panels
You must open the side trim panel in the trunk
and remove the first-aid kit before you can
change the bulbs in the tail lamps.
Replacing bulbs115Lights and windshield wipersZ

XTo show menu bar ;: press the =
or ; button on the steering wheel.
The following messages may appear in the
multifunction display:
X j YParking Guidance ( Y page 178)_Adaptive Highbeam Assist
( Y page 110)ÀATTENTION ASSIST ( Y page 182)ÃLane Keeping Assist ( Y page 185) or
Active Lane Keeping Assist
( Y page 190)HOLDHOLD function ( Y page 172)ÄPRE-SAFE ®
Brake ( Y page 65)Displays and operation197On-board computer and displaysZ

Lights
Switching the daytime running lamps on/
off
This function is not available in Canada.
If you have activated the Day Lights
function and the light switch is in the c or
à position, the daytime running lamps are
switched on automatically during the day
when the engine is running.
In the dark, the following also light up:
R the low-beam headlamps
R the parking lamps
R the tail lamps
R the license plate lamp
R the side marker lamps
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett. menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Lights submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Day Lights function.
If the Daytime Running Lights: function
has been switched on, the cone of light and
the W symbol in the multifunction
display are shown in red.XPress the a button to save the setting.
Switching Adaptive Highbeam Assist on/
off
XPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett. menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Lights submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress : or 9 to select the Adapt.
Highbeam function.
If the Adapt. Highbeam function has been
switched on, the cone of light and the
_ symbol in the multifunction display
are shown in red.XPress the a button to save the setting.Activating/deactivating surround
lighting and exterior lighting delayed
switch-off
If you have activated the Surround
Lighting function and the light switch is in
the c or à position, the following
functions are active when it is dark:
R Surround lighting: the exterior lighting
remains lit for 40 seconds after unlocking
with the SmartKey. The exterior lighting
switches off when you open the driver's
door.
R Exterior lighting delayed switch-off: the
exterior lighting remains lit for 60 seconds
after the engine has been switched off. If
you close all the doors, the exterior lighting
goes off after 15 seconds.
If you activate the Surround Lighting
function, the following light up depending on
the vehicle's equipment:
R the parking lamps
R the fog lamps
R the daytime running lamps
R the side marker lamps
R the surround lighting in the exterior mirrorsXPress the = or ; button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett. menu.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Lights submenu.XPress the a button to confirm.XPress the : or 9 button to select the
Surround lighting function.
When the Surround Lighting function is
activated, the light cone and the area
around the vehicle are displayed in red in
the multifunction display.XPress the a button to save the setting.Menus and submenus207On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
Check Left Mirror
Turn
Signal or Check
Right Mirror Turn
SignalThe turn signal in the left-hand or right-hand exterior mirror is
defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 113).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Center Brake
LampThe high-mounted brake lamp is faulty.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 113).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Tail
and Brake
Lamps or Check
Right Tail and
Brake LampsThe left or right-hand tail lamp/brake lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 113).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left High
Beam or Check Right
High BeamThe left or right-hand high beam is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 113).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Check Left Fog
Lamp or Check Right
Fog LampThe left-hand or right-hand front fog lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 113).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Rear Fog LampThe rear fog lamp is defective.XCheck whether you are permitted to change the bulb yourself
( Y page 113).
or
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Display messages223On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutionsb
AUTO Lamp Function
InoperativeThe light sensor is defective.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.b
Switch Off LightsThe lights are still switched on when you leave the vehicle. A
warning tone also sounds.XTurn the light switch to c or à .Adaptive Highbeam
Assist InoperativeAdaptive Highbeam Assist is faulty.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Adaptive Highbeam
Assist Currently
Unavailable See
Operator's ManualAdaptive Highbeam Assist is deactivated and temporarily
inoperative. Possible causes are:
R the windshield in the camera's field of vision is dirty.
R visibility is impaired due to heavy rain, snow or fog.XClean the windshield.
If the system detects that the camera is fully functional again, the
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Now Available display message
is shown.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist is operational again.
Engine
Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions+
Check Coolant
Level See
Operator's ManualThe coolant level is too low.XAdd coolant, observing the warning notes when doing so
( Y page 280).XIf coolant needs to be added more often than usual, have the
engine coolant system checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.GWARNING
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may burn
if it comes into contact with hot engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
! The coolant level is too low. Avoid making long journeys with too little coolant in the cooling
system. The engine will otherwise be damaged.
The display messages and the corresponding symbol that indicate that the coolant level is
too low must not be ignored.
Display messages225On-board computer and displaysZ