the owners manual makes no mention of HOW and WHEN one should use the standing lights.

What is the proper use for these lights and when??

__________________
RIP: 80 300SD
RIP: 79 450SEL
2002 E430 4matic (212,000km)
2002 ML500 'sport'

____________________________
FACEBOOK: PANZER450

you mean the parking lights. Like maybe when you park on the side of a street and headlights are not needed but some form of illumination is needed for traffic to see you

it was my understanding that they were to be used when parking on dark narrow European streets overnight so that the car can be seen. It seems that on our cars it is a carry over feature, never really used here in the states.

Ive never tried leaving them on over night, but with a good battery I dont see how the little circuit that they are on could drain a good battery.

Someone try it and let us know.

If not, Ill try it this weekend and let you all know. Im driving the SL-C for daily use for the next day or so (it is its time in the rotation of vehicles to be driven)

__________________
". . .back before accountants designed cars"

-Current Stable-
'78 MB 450SL-C 107.024.12.020783 #3840 <Kayleen>
'85 FORD F250 6.9L Diesel <Allison>
'98 Lexus ES300 <Rachel>
Long Gone...
'74 Chevy G10...........................'99 GMC Yukon 4X4
'83 Chevy Suburban 6.2 diesel .....'99 SAAB 9-5
'90 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS............. '01 Chevy Tahoe
'98 Nissan Altima .......................'02 MB ML320
'88 Chevy Suburban V2500 4X4 6.2 diesel

I believe you are talking about the feature which allows the front and back parking light on the same side to remain on while those same lights on the other side are not illuminated. We have always used the streetside lights when parking on city streets. Makes the car easier to see. At least for a few hours it has never bothered the battery.

I use them on my cars when I've had to park them in a high traffic area. Figure it can't hurt to make the car more visible.

The power used is very low (30w on my TDI, 40w on the Benz), so you can leave them on for hours with no problem.

-Jason

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

When I was driving my SD, and I had to park in an alleyway during winter when all the snow is pushed aside narrowing the passage. I had them on for at least a good 5 hours with no ill effect.

__________________
RIP: 80 300SD
RIP: 79 450SEL
2002 E430 4matic (212,000km)
2002 ML500 'sport'

____________________________
FACEBOOK: PANZER450

Lights "Off" on the side up against the buildings.
(Kinda Nasty for Drunk Pedestrians stumbling along the frozen sidewalks...
BUT they couldn't really do much damage tripping over the parked Mercedes.)

__________________
'84 300SD sold
124.128

I know this is an older thread but figured I'd add my 2 cents. While stationed in Frankfurt Germany I noticed cars using these lights, lights on the streetside were lit. I use mine (left side lit) when at gas stations.