Automatic Headlamp Activation under Command System
 

I am having trouble figuring our how to activate the automatic on/off headlamp function under the command system on my cl 500. I have been able to adjust the delay off features properly but under my version of the command system screens ('00 year car), the screens seem to skip the one in the manual that refers to the automatic functioning of the headlamps. How do I have the headlamps go on automatically with this system? Is it a function of leaving the headlamp switch in a certain position?

This isn't controlled via the COMAND display unit, it is controlled in the instrument cluster display using the steering wheel controls.
It's all in the regular owners manual, not the COMAND manual.
Gilly

Gilly - thanks. But I can't seem to pull up the screen from the instrument cluster under settings. I can pull up all of the other screens. It just seems to miss this one--software glitch?

JLR:
Geez, I wish I had a 215 chassis owners manual here, thing that ticks me off is I probably do---"somewhere".
Couple possibilities. First of all on a 215's I believe there is an "auto" position on the switch itself.
If I'm all wrong on that, I believe you need to get into the personal preferences screen, that's the one that says "settings can be set at standstill". Uh, of course you have to be at a stand still to enter that one---duh. Get to where it says that, then use the up or down arrows to access the "lighting" page, you should be able to get that setting in there.
You know, MB is very helpful about things like this also. If you can't figure it out, call the 1 800 FOR-MERCedes number, they can help too.
Or if nothing else, I can keep digging, or maybe come up with some good info for you on Wednesday. Or shovel out my basement and look for a CL owners manual. Nah, it's almost Christmas, better call it Wednesday!
I've never heard of a software glitch like this BTW. Always a first time, but I think we need to beat our heads against the wall before we get a good answer, these MB's are funny that way.
Gilly

Gilly - spoke to MB. They say the book is wrong and simply turn switch one click to the right to engage auto setting of headlamps. I'll give it a try. Also, on another issue, they say the book is wrong again and magazine mix mode does not work on the cd changer. Are there any other features in the book that you can think of that are wrong?

JLR:
They may be right on the headlights. I know that there "was" a lighting mode, at least on the 220 S class cars where the headlights could be set to constant, auto, or manual. If the light switch on your CL has the "Auto" position, then perhaps setting the function through the cluster settings has been eliminated. I can maybe look over a new 220 chassis and give you a report. As a flat-rate dealer tech, it can be hard to get up to the showroom and look at a car, but we're kind of in a "between the holiday" slump, so maybe I can get up there.
On the CD mix, I know they were having troubles with this. I believe that there is a COMAND update that the dealer can do to correct this. If your dealer doesn't seem to know about it, let me know and I can give you some details.
They should be familiar with it though, all the dealers were sent a cd-rom which is inserted into the nav cd drive which updates the COMAND unit, takes about an hour.
Gilly

Gilly -It seems MB is not correct. There is no auto position switch for the lights and there is no screen in the settings. I am in the twilight zone--no switch and no settings. Does this car have an auto headlamp fiunnction at all? As for the CD mix, I have to bring in the car to have the glove box latch fixed and I will ask about the command system update then. Thanks for the help and any continued help on the lights would be wonderful.

Problem solved. Apparently, the screen in the settings was deleted from this car and once put on the bench, the screen has now reappeared and all is working as it should. When I return the car for service, I am going to have MB upgrade the software in the command system to fix, among other things, the cd magazine mix function which I understand does not work properly with the earlier software.

JLR:
Glad you got the lights to work correctly. I think I'd like the system you have now better. If the current CL is like the current S class setup, you go into the lighting screen and choose the constant or manual setting, if you want auto setting you use the headlight switch to "auto" setting. Strange how the screen disappeared like that, never heard of that one.
Yes, the COMAND update fixes the CD mix, it is mainly meant to fix what is called a "black screen" problem, I think I saw one do this once, the sound system and everything operated but the screen was blank, even appeared "blacker" than being shut off, if that makes any sense to you. Did your dealer know what you were talking about when you mentioned the COMAND update?
Remember if you plan on waiting for the car that the update process takes about an hour, mainly just download time.
Gilly

Gilly - thanks for all of the help. I will probably leave the car overnight for the update and at the same time make sure all other TSB's are taken care of. However, I am inclined not to have the lights adjusted down due to brightness. I think I like them that way.