Just purchased an '03 E class. It's a beautiful car but I noticed that when I turn on the ignition to start the car, all running lights (head,tail, and side markers) come on even with the headlight switch in the "O" position. The switch also has an "auto" position and turning the switch to that positon shows no change, that is, all lights remain on (engine running). When turning the switch to other positons with the car running, the lights seem to operate as the switch indicates they should. With the key off and removed from the ignition, the switch operates the various lights as it indicates when placed in the various switch positions. Also, when the car is turned off, if the headlights had been in operation they fail to come on to illuminate your walkway (as I recall they did on the '98 E class we just sold. I always thought that was a nice feature in a dark parking lot. While one is ordered, I do not yet have the owners manual for this car so I don't know if these lighting features are normal or abnormal. Any advice/help would be appreciated. Thanks.

You are right. Read the manual. The daytime running light dash menu option has been selected. That's why the lights are on. This overrides the auto-on function, obviously. The headlight shut-off delay is another menu option and is variable. As is the interior light shut off delay. And so on.

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Roger E.

not day time running, but rather constantly on is selected in the instrument cluster menu

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Which is precisely the same thing. Constantly on is what the menu selection reads.

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Roger E.

but doesn't it turn on all the lights when constant on is selected? i cannot remember, i think that would be different than daytime running lights

OK, I give up. You win.

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Roger E.

roger, no need to get snotty, i was asking you a question. we are all adults here, i was only trying to see what your opinion was regarding if only the headlights were on or were all the lights on. no winner either way.