headlamp MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS SALOON 2011 User Guide

If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on.
X Turn the lights witch toÃ.
Dipped-beam headlamps X
To switch on the dipped-beam head-
lamps: turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to L.
The L indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
Daytime driving lights You can activate or deactivate the daytime
driving lights function using the on-board
computer (Y page 244).
X Daytime driving lights: activate the day-
time driving lights function using the on-
board computer.
X Turn the light switch to Ã.
When the engine is on: depending on the
ambien tlight conditions, the daytime driv-
ing lights or the parking and dipped-beam
headlamps are switched on.
When the dipped-beam headlamps are
switched on, the Lindicator lamp in the
instrumen tcluster lights up.
Automatic headlamp mode X
To switch on automatic headlamp
mode: turn the light switch to Ã.
Key in position 1in the ignition lock: the
side lamps are switched on or off automat-
ically depending on the brightness of the
ambien tlight.
With the engine running: depending on the
brightness of the ambien tlight, the daytime
driving lights 13
or the dipped-beam head-
lamps are switched on or off automatically.
When the dipped-beam headlamps are
switched on, the Lindicator lamp in the
instrumen tcluster lights up. G
WARNING
If the light switch is set to Ã, the dipped-
beam headlamps will not come on automati-
cally if it is foggy. This could endanger you and
others. Therefore, tur nthe light switch to
L in fog.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's
lighting at all times.
Foglamps Only vehicles with front foglamps have the
"Foglamps" function.
G
WARNING
If you suspect that driving conditions will be
foggy, turn the light switch to Lbefore you
start your journey. Your vehicle may other-
wise not be visible and you could endanger
yourself and others.
X To switch on the foglamps: turn the key
in the ignition lock to position 2or start the
engine.
X Turn the light switch to T,Lor
Ã.
X Press the Nbutton.
The green Nindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
X To switch off the front foglamps: press
the N button.
The green Nindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
i If you switch the engine off (key in posi-
tion 1in the ignition lock) and then restart
it, the previous foglamp settings are
restored.
Rear foglamp X
To switch on the rear foglamp: turn the
key in the ignition lock to position 2or start
the engine.
X Turn the light switch to LorÃ.
13 Only if daytime driving lights have been activated via the on-board computer. Exterior lighting
123Lights and windscreen wipers Z

X
Press the Rbutton.
The yellow Rindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch off the rear foglamp: press the
R button.
The yellow Rindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Vehicles with frontf oglamps: when the light
switch is in the Tposition, the rear fog-
lamp can only be switched on if the foglamps
(without dipped-beam headlamps) are
switched on.
i If you switch the engine off (key in posi-
tion 1in the ignition lock) and then restart
it, the previous rear foglamp settings are
restored.
Adjusting the headlam prange (halogen
headlamps) The headlamp range control allows you to
adjust the cone of light from the headlamps
to sui tthe vehicle load. g
Driver's seat and front-passenger seat
occupied
1 Driver's seat, front-passenger seat and
rear seats occupied
2 Driver's seat, front-passenger seat and
rear seats occupied, boot laden
3 Driver's and front-passenger seats occu-
pied and maximum permissible rear axle
load utilised, e.g. when towing a trailer X
Start the engine.
X Turn headlamp range control to the posi-
tion which corresponds to the load in your
vehicle.
Headlampc leaning system If the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is
operated five times (Y
page 132) while the
lights are on and the engine is running, the
headlamps are cleaned automatically. When
you switch off the ignition, the automatic
headlamp cleaning syste mis reset and count-
ing is resumed from 0. Combination switch
Turn signals :
Main-beam headlamps
; Turn signal, right
= Headlamp flasher
? Turn signal, left
X To indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow ;or?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
X To indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow ;or?. 124
Exterior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

Main-beam headlamps
X
To switch on the main-beam head-
lamps: turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to LorÃ.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow :.
In the Ãposition, the main-beam head-
lamps are only switched on when it is dark
and the engine is running.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the main-beam head-
lamps are switched on.
X To switch off the main-beam head-
lamps: move the combination switch back
to its normal position.
The K indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Headlamp flasher X
To switch on: turn the key in the ignition
lock to position 1or 2or start the engine.
X Pull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow =. Hazard warning lamps The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on if:
R
an airbag is deployed.
R the vehicle decelerates rapidly from a
speed of more than 70 km/h and comes to
a standstill.
X To switch on the hazard warnin glamps:
press button :.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on
a turn signal using the combination switch,
only the turn signal lamp on the corre-
sponding side of the vehicle will flash.
X To switch off the hazard warning
lamps: press button :.
The hazard warning lamps switch off auto-
matically if the vehicle reaches a speed of
over 10 km/h again after a full brake appli-
cation.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off. Intelligen
tLight System
Important notes The Intelligent Light System is a syste
mthat
adjusts the headlamps automatically to suit
the prevailing driving and weather conditions.
It offers advanced functions for improved illu-
mination of the road surface, e.g. depending
on the vehicle speed or weather conditions.
The system includes the active light function,
cornering light function, motorway mode and
extended range foglamps. The system is only
active when it is dark.
You can activate or deactivate the "Intelligent
Light System" using the on-board computer
(Y page 244). Exterior lighting
125Lights and windscreen wipers Z

Active ligh
tfunction The active light function is a system that
moves the headlamps according to the steer-
ing movements of the front wheels. In this
way, relevant areas remai nilluminated while
driving. This allows you to recognise pedes-
trians, cyclists and animals.
Active: when the lights are switched on.
Cornering light function The cornering light function improves the illu-
mination of the road over a wide angle in the
direction you are turning, enabling better vis-
ibility in tigh
tbends, for example. The corner-
ing light function can only be activated when
the dipped-beam headlamps are switched on.
Active: if you are driving at speeds below
40 km/ha nd switch on the tur nsignal or turn
the steering wheel.
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
40 km/h or switch off the turn signal or turn
the steering wheel to the straight-ahead posi-
tion. The cornering light function may remain lit for
a shor ttime, but is automatically switched off
after no more than three minutes.
Motorway mode Motorway mode increases the range of the
beam.
Active:
R
if you are driving at speeds above
110 km/h and do not make any large steer-
ing movements for 1000 m
R if you are driving at speeds above
130 km/h
Not active: if you are driving at speeds below
80 km/h following activation.
Extended range foglamps The extended range foglamps reduce the
glare experienced by the drive
rand improve
the illuminatio nofthe edge of the carriage-
way.
Active: if you are driving at speeds below
70 km/h and you switch on the rear foglamp 126
Exterior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

Not active:
if you are driving at speeds above
100 km/h or if you switch off the rea rfoglamp
following activation Adaptive Highbeam Assist
You can use this function to set the head-
lamps to change between dipped beam and
main beam automatically. The system recog-
nises vehicles with their lights on, either
approaching from the opposite direction or
travelling in front of your vehicle, and conse-
quently switches the headlamps from main
beam to dipped beam.
The system automatically adapts the dipped-
beam headlamp range depending on the dis-
tance to the other vehicle. Once the system
no longer detects any other vehicles, it reac-
tivates the main-beam headlamps.
The system's optical sensor is located behind
the windscreen near the overhead control
panel. X
To activate: activate the Adaptive High-
beam Assist function using the on-board
computer (Y page 245).
X Turn the light switch to Ã.X
Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow :(Ypage 124).
If it is dark and the light sensor activates
the dipped-beam headlamps, the _
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up.
If you are driving at speeds above
45 km/h:
the headlamp range is set automatically
depending on the distance between the
vehicle and other road users.
If you are driving at speeds above
55 km/h and no other road users are rec-
ognised:
the main-beam headlamps are switched on
automatically. The Kindicator lamp in
the instrument cluster also lights up.
If you are driving at speeds below
45 km/h or other road users are recog-
nised or the roads are adequately lit:
the main-beam headlamps are switched off
automatically. The Kindicator lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out. The _
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
stays on.
X To deactivate: move the combination
switch back to its normal position.
The _ indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out. G
WARNING
Adaptive Highbeam Assist is only an aid
designed to assist driving. The driver is
responsible for adjusting the vehicle's lighting
to the prevailing light, vision and traffic con-
ditions.
The system may be impaired or deactivated:
R if there is poor visibility, e.g. due to snow,
rain, fog or spray
R if the area of the windscreen around the
optical sensor is dirty, misted up or covered
up, e.g. by a sticker Exterior lighting
127Lights and windscreen wipers
Z

The system may not recognise the following
road users:
R road users that have no lighting, e.g. pedes-
trians
R road users that have poor lighting, e.g.
cyclists
R road users whose lighting is not clearly visi-
ble, e.g. road users behind a crash barrier
R on rare occasions :road users that have
lights that may be recognised too late or not
at all
The automatic main-beam headlamps will not
be deactivated, or they may be activated
despite road users travelling in front of or
approaching the vehicle.
Thus, you could cause an accident and injure
yourself and others. Always observe traffic
conditions and, if necessary, dip the lights
manually. Headlamps misted up on the inside
The headlamps may mist up on the inside if
there is high atmospheric humidity.
X Drive with the headlamps switched on.
The level of moisture diminishes, depend-
ing on the length of the journey and the
weather conditions (humidity and temper-
ature).
If the level of moisture does not diminish:
X Have the headlamps checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Interior lighting
Overview of interior lighting
Front overhead control panel
:
u To switch the rear interior lighting
on/off
; | To switch the automatic interior
lighting control on/off
= p To switch the right-hand front read-
ing lamp on/off
? c To switch the front interior lighting
on/off
A p To switch the left-hand front reading
lamp on/off Rear-compartment overhead control panel
:
p To switch the right-hand reading
lamp on/off
; p To switch the left-hand reading lamp
on/off 128
Interior lightingLights and windscreen wipers

Interior lighting control
Important notes In order to preven
tthe vehicle's battery from
discharging, the interior lighting functions are
automatically deactivated after some time
except for when the key is in position 2in the
ignition lock.
The colour and brightness of the ambient
lighting may be set using the on-board com-
puter (Y page 245).
Automatic interior lighting control X
To switch on/off: press the|button.
When the automatic interior lighting con-
trol is activated, the button is flush with the
overhead control panel.
The interior lighting automatically switches
on if you:
R unlock the vehicle
R open a door
R remove the key from the ignition lock
The interior light is activated for a short while
when the key is removed from the ignition
lock. You can activate this delayed switch-off
using the on-board computer (Y page 246).
Manual interior lighting control X
To switch the front interior lighting on/
off: press the cbutton.
X To switch the rear interior lighting on/
off: press the ubutton.
X To switch the reading lamps on/off:
press the pbutton. Crash-responsive emergency lighting
The interior lighting is activated automatically
if the vehicle is involved in an accident. X
To switch off the crash-responsive
emergency lighting: press the hazard
warning lamp button.
or
X Lock and then unlock the vehicle using the
key. Changing bulbs
Important safety notes
Xenon bulbs G
DANGER
Xenon bulbs are under high voltage. If you
touch the electrical contacts of a xenon bulb,
you could suffer an electric shock and be seri-
ously or even fatally injured. For this reason,
do not remove the cover of xenon bulbs.
Do not change the xenon bulbs yourself, but
have them replaced at a qualified workshop.
If your vehicle is equipped with xenon bulbs,
you can recognise this by the following: the
cone of light from the xenon bulbs moves
from the top to the bottom and back again
when you start the engine. For this to be
observed, the lights must be switched on
before starting the engine.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly.
Other bulbs There are bulbs other than the xenon bulbs
that you cannot replace. Replace only the
bulbs listed (Y
page 130). Have the bulbs that
you cannot replace yourself changed at a
qualified specialist workshop.
If you require assistance changing bulbs, con-
sult a qualified specialist workshop.
Do not touch the glass tube of new bulbs with
your bare hands. Even minor contamination
can burn into the glass surface and reduce
the service life of the bulbs. Always use a lint- Changing bulbs
129Lights and windscreen wipers Z

free cloth or only touch the base of the bulb
whe
nfitting.
Only use bulbs of the correc ttype.
If the new bulb still does no tlight up, consult
a qualified specialist workshop.
Bulbs and lamps are an importan taspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly. G
WARNING
Bulbs and lamps can be very hot. You should
therefore allow them to cool down before you
change them. Otherwise, you could be burned
if you touch them.
Keep bulbs out of the reach of children. Oth-
erwise, they could damage the bulbs, for
example, and injure themselves.
Never use a bulb which has been dropped.
Such a bulb may break or even explode and
injure you.
Halogen bulbs are pressurised 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 of bulb replacement
–bulbs
You can replace the following bulbs. The
details for the bulb type can be found in the
legend. Halogen headlamps
:
Dipped-bea mheadlamps 14
: H7 55 W
; Main-beam headlamp: H7 55 W
= Side lamp/parking lamp: W5W
? Turn signal lamp 14
: PY 21 W Bi-xenon headlamps
:
Cornering lamp: H7 55 W
; Infrared light (Night View Assist Plus):
H11 55 W
14 Due to their location, have the bulbs in the left-hand headlamp replaced at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. 130
Changing bulbsLights and windscreen wipers

Changing the front bulbs
Dipped-beam headlamps (halogen
headlamps) Due to their location, have the bulbs in the
left-hand headlamp changed at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g .aMercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
X Switch off the lights.
X Open the bonnet.
X Turn housing cover :anti-clockwise and
pull it out.
X Turn bulb holder ;anti-clockwise and pull
it out.
X Take the bulb out of bulb holder ;.
X Inser tthe new bulb into bulb holder ;.
X Insert bulb holder ;into the lamp and turn
it clockwise.
X Align housing cover :and turn it clock-
wise until it engages. Main-beam headlamps (halogen head-
lamps)/cornering lamps (Intelligent
Light System) X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the bonnet.
X Turn housing cover :anti-clockwise and
pull it out.
X Turn bulb holder ;anti-clockwise and pull
it out.
X Take the bulb out of bulb holder ;.
X Insert the new bulb into bulb holder ;.
X Insert bulb holder ;into the lamp and turn
it clockwise.
X Align housing cover :and turn it clock-
wise until it engages.
Side lamps/parking lamps (halogen
headlamps) X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the bonnet.
X Turn housing cover :anti-clockwise and
pull it out. Changing bulbs
131Lights and windscreen wipers Z

X
Pull out bulb holder ;.
X Take the bulb out of bulb holder ;.
X Inser tthe new bulb into bulb holder ;.
X Insert bulb holder ;.
X Align housing cover :and turn it clock-
wise until it engages.
Infrared light (Night View Assist Plus) X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the bonnet.
X Turn housing cover :anti-clockwise and
pull it out.
X Turn bulb ;anti-clockwise and pull it out.
X Insert new bulb ;and turn it clockwise.
X Align housing cover :and turn it clock-
wise until it engages.
Turn signal lamp (halogen headlamps) Due to their location, have the bulbs in the
left-hand headlamp changed at a qualified
specialist workshop. X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the bonnet.
X Turn bulb holder :anti-clockwise and pull
it out.
X Turn the bulb anti-clockwise, applying
slight pressure, and remove it from bulb
holder :.
X Insert the new bulb into bulb holder :and
turn it clockwise.
X Insert bulb holder :into the lamp and turn
it clockwise. Windscreen wipers
Switching the windscreen wipers on/
off
G
WARNING
The windscreen will not longer be wiped prop-
erly if the wiper blades are worn. This could
prevent you from observing the traffic condi-
tions, thereby causing an accident. Replace
the wiper blades twice a year, ideally in spring
and autumn.
! Do not operate the windscreen wipers
when the windscreen is dry, as this could
damage the wiper blades. Moreover, dust
that has collected on the windscreen can
scratch the glass if wiping takes place when
the windscreen is dry.
! If the windscreen wipers leave smears on
the windscreen after the vehicle has been
washed in an automatic car wash, this may
be due to wax or other residue. Cleant he
windscreen with washer fluid after an auto-
matic car wash. 132
Windscreen wipersLights and windscreen wipers