Hello Diesel Fans,
Can someone explain this to me. What is the standing light setting for? Its on the headlight switch that only works with the key off. Its like the parking light setting,but you can set it for the right side or left side lights. This has bugged me ever since I got my car. Why would you need to turn on the parking lights for either the right side or left side for?

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1984 300d
1983 300sd

I have wondered also...and can only guess that if you waiting for someone with one light on ????? They would know it is you...but this sounds stupid???

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1983 300SD 343K everyday car
1983 300SD 285K from junk yard-tooks parts from deer car- runs great. Brothers car.
1984 300SD parts car-Hit deer
1979 300D 175K non-turbo "Doctor"
1979 300d parts car

The idea is if you park your car on a dark street or in the fog, you can turn the lights on that are facing the street so cars will know you are parked and avoid you.

I have used them rarely, but they come in handy when needed.

henry

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63 190d (sold)
69 220D (sold)
69 280SL (sold)
76 BMW 2002 (sold)
86 190E-16v (Demised at Laguna Seca Turn 9)
87 300SDL (sold)
87 300SDL 135k
87 300TD 280k (sold)
95 E320W 211k
95 E320w 111k
05 C320 4matic
06 E320 CDI 90k (Totaled by a texting 19 year old girl in a nissan)
2013 GLK 250 Bluetek 4MATIC

DieselGent,

In Europe, where you might find a narrow road and no street lamps, it is required by law (at least in Germany) to leave the parking lights on the side of the car towards the road (left side when parking on the right side of the road) lit, as a minimum. So the switch has these positions to save you your battery life, should you be in such a location all night long.

Hope this scratches that itch. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

To the best of my knowledge, when parking your car against a curb, on the street, you could turn on the lights for the side of your car that would be in traffic. By doing this, it would give other drivers a "heads-up" that your car was there. Remember, the streets in Europe are quite narrow in some places. This is what I remember from living in Germany for four years, but that was about fourteen years ago. If anyone else has a better explanation for these lights, feel free to jump in here and correct me.

Mike

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Don
'85 500SL (Euro) - 186,000 w/a complete restoration and engine rebuild at 154,000
'95 C280 - 174,000

Just realized that I posted as my dad. I am at his house this week and am logged onto his computer.

Mike

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Don
'85 500SL (Euro) - 186,000 w/a complete restoration and engine rebuild at 154,000
'95 C280 - 174,000

I leave my sidelights on (for the side facing the middle of the street) every time I have ot park on a street when it's dark out. I've left the light on for a few days at a time, with no ill effects.

In addition to apparently being German law, I think it's a great safety feature...especially 'cause the streetlights on my street don't work right now.

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2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
Spark-free since 1999

You don't have to drive through very many small German villages, and in some streets in many of the cities to see why this feature is on there and why it is the law.

I remember seeing a truck go between two buildings in a small village that was crawling along with both mirrors pulled in and almost scraping both sides between these two buildings. This was obviously not a commonly traveled street, but I'm sure you get the idea.

Also, in Germany, it is common to park on the sidewalk, above the curb. If you are not on the sidewalk, but on the street, the traffic side lights MUST be on.

All this narrow street stuff is such interesting contrast, given that their Autobahns are some of the very finest high speed thoroughfares in the world.

Have a great day,

I understand that the purpose of the side lights are not related to stopping on narrow village roads, but rather an important safety feature related to pulling over on high speed autobahn-type highways....if you were stopped and you turned on your parking lights (both tail lights) an oncoming traveler going 120 mph might ram into you thinking you were actually in traffic. With only one side light on....the one closest to the traffic, it indicates that you are a stopped vehicle.

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1984 300TD Wagon, 407,800 mi (current daily driver)
1985 300DT Sedan, 330,000 mi (gone to that great autobahn in the sky)

Here's one for you. I went out last night to try out my side lights. To my surprise when I turn on the left light the left light came on in the front and the right light came on in the back. Right light switch on -- right light on in the front , left light on in the back. Obviously something is crossed up. Any idea where?

Bill

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Current Vehicles:
1990 Mercedes 300SE (147,000)
1985 Mercedes 300SD (203,000)
1983 Mercedes 240D (167,000)

I was aware of the purpose for the parking lights. Safety, left side lit for parking on right side of stree etc.

However, I tried to use the switch on my 1982 300SD. No matter if I select right side or left, all of the parking lights come on, on both sides. Is there a way to check the wiring or remedy this situation? Has anyone else experienced this on a 300SD or other model?

It sounds like I have a somewhat similar situation as Bill (amptique).

I did not know that they are meant to be left on overnight.

Rob

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'82 300SD 206K miles Anthracite Grey received 250,000 Km badge
'93 GMC Turbo Diesel 1-Ton Dually 113K miles Stolen 17 Jul 05
2005 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab D-max 22K miles Love it!
'68 Corvair Monza 110 Coupe 26K Sold
'66 Corvair Monza 110 Convertible 123K
'52 Ford 8N Sold
'66 Ford 3000 Diesel (204 hours) For Sale
'86 White 2-65 MFWD Iseki Diesel

Rob and Bill,
Your problems might lie at the switch. The wiring at the switch might be crossed and hooked up to the wrong terminals. Also you may have a bad or dirty switch, the best thing to do is make sure the wiring is correct and clean the switch. I hope that this is of some help.