How to Operate the High-Low Beam Switching on a Mercedes-Benz?
4 Answers
Locate the light control lever on the left side of the steering wheel. First, turn on the low beam (rotate the knob to the low beam position), then pull the light control lever toward yourself. The high beam will temporarily activate. Release the lever to let it return, and the high beam will automatically turn off while the low beam remains on.
I've been driving a Mercedes-Benz E-Class for five years and have mastered the high-low beam switching. The key is the lever on the left side of the steering wheel. Just gently pull it towards your chest with your left hand and release, and you'll hear a click for one high beam flash. Continuous pulling will produce multiple flashes, which is especially useful for alerting the car ahead at night. Don't use too much force, or you might accidentally lock it into high beam mode and blind others. I always use this technique when overtaking on highways—it's more effective than honking. On rainy days when road reflections make visibility poor, a couple of flashes can help oncoming cars notice you. Just remember not to overuse it in urban areas, as sudden bright lights can startle pedestrians.
The Mercedes lighting control logic is actually quite user-friendly. With your left hand resting at the nine o'clock position on the steering wheel, just a slight movement of your index finger can reach the control stalk. A quick pull toward yourself and release makes the headlights briefly flash high beam before switching back. This action should be crisp, like snapping your fingers. I usually flash twice to signal overtaking, and once before sharp corners to alert oncoming traffic. Beginners sometimes confuse it with the turn signal stalk - remember it's the thicker stalk perpendicular to the steering wheel. This works even with automatic headlights, no additional settings needed. Timing your flashes right can prevent many unnecessary accidents.
The operation is incredibly simple: You can do it without taking your left hand off the steering wheel. Locate the slightly shorter stalk next to the turn signal lever, quickly pull it toward yourself for an instant rebound, and you'll see the high beam indicator flash briefly on the instrument cluster. To give continuous prompts, just repeat this motion. Mercedes' lighting response is lightning-fast, completing the switch in under half a second. Be careful not to confuse this with keeping high beams on continuously—the latter requires pushing the stalk all the way forward. I often use this technique before mountain road curves, especially on stretches with many blind spots. Since light travels farther than sound, it makes for an exceptionally effective warning.
