Fog lights and high beams on together? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

euronatura · #1 01-15-2004, 09:50 AM

Dear All:

May sound like a stupid question but the other day I changed the bulbs on my fog lights since both were out (standard H3 bulbs). This is an american version 1988, 190e 2.3l 8v.

If I understand correctly, on the american version of these cars, when one has the fog lights on, and then at the same time, turns on the high beams, the fog lights turn off. At least this is what I remeber from when the fog lights worked before and what I have read on this forum. The bulbs have been burned out for more than a few months til I got around to picking up the bulbs just the other day.

But now, when I have the fog lights one ( I tried them out yesterday night) when I turn on the high beams at the same time, the fog lights still stay on. Questions:

1) Is this normal?
2) If not what could be the problem?
3) If no problem, would I melt the wire harness for the lamps if I use both the fog lights and the high beams at the same time?

Thanks,

Iggy

placo1 · #2 01-15-2004, 11:03 AM

Hi Iggy,

On my 190E the foglights would stay on if the high beams were on, same with my 500 although their separate units. Sounds like your lights are operating normally.

euronatura · #3 01-15-2004, 11:15 AM

Thanks for the reply, I had and still ahve my doubts about thsi because from what I have read here in the forum is that having the fog lights and high beams operate at the same time is one of the advantages of upgrading to Euro lights and of course the euro light wiring which it designed to take the extra amps that this pulls.

iggy

Jackd · #4 01-15-2004, 11:25 AM

Fog lights operate on a totally different electrical circuit than the low/high beam.
Your car is perfectly normal.
Jackd

euronatura · #5 01-15-2004, 11:30 AM

Thanks, just wanted to make certain.......

Iggy

placo1 · #6 01-15-2004, 11:36 AM

There is one major advantage of having Euro Lights. On W201's and W14's Euro light output is significantly better than any US DOT light up to 1994.

The other "advantage" is the Euro lights look signifantly better than the DOT Lights and udate the front of our US MB's.

euronatura · #7 01-15-2004, 11:41 AM

Quote:

There is one major advantage of having Euro Lights. On W201's and W14's Euro light output is significantly better than any US DOT light up to 1994

I understand this but my car is US version. I bought it in Miami when I lived there 7 years ago and the car does not ahve Euro lights. As far as I can tell. I never installed Euros and neither did the previous owner.

That is why I asked my original question. It was my understanding that the US version of headlights would not permit fog lamps and high beams on at the same time.

Iggy

dmorrison · #8 01-15-2004, 11:52 AM

70 220D. No fog lights (white) with high beams
80 240D No fog lights (yellow) with high beams.
82 300TD. No fog lights (yellow) with high beams.
86 300SDL. Fog lights (yellow) with high beams.
88 560SL. No fog lights (white) with high beams.
99 E300. No fog lights (white) with high beams.

What is Mercedes logic, I don't know. For better lighting I prefer the fog lights AND high beams. I guess I could go with the Euro lights but I'm not sure I like the look. It so---European!! Just used to the US look I guess.

I would like to see a comparison, in person, of the 2 for the 300TD and the SL. I'll have to arrange that one day.

Dave

PS Some states are strange about operating fog lights with no fog. My sons roomate in college got a ticket for operating the fog lights with out there being fog. Stupid law!

Ali Al-Chalabi · #9 01-15-2004, 03:58 PM

On my C class, the fog lights will stay on with the high beams, but the fog lights and high beams are housed in the same unit. As far as I know, on the W210 the fog lights turn off with the high beams, but the fog lights are in the bumper on that vehicle.

jrbnc · #10 01-15-2004, 04:06 PM

On the newer american cars the fog lights will automatically turn off when the highbeams are turned on.

On my 88 190e they can be on at the same time.

#11 01-15-2004, 05:40 PM

I,ve been driving MB for over 40 yrs Europe and in the USA Fog lts. always stayed on no mattrer ..high or low beams....they switch Indepent.......American Mfg,s are now putting Driving (white ) Lights on thier Cars...Some may call them FOG Lts. But Real FOG lights are Amber or as we call them orange. The FAA sets standards for Aircraft lights ...The following colors that can be seen the furthest in Fog conditions GREEN IS #1 ..Amber Is #2 .since green would be confusing to approaching Motorists in Foggy conditions.(on the ground ) They decided to use Amber......The reflection of either green or amber off of FOG is less than White........White has the Advantage Low to the Ground where it can shoot under the fog....That is why they are ony classified as Driving Lights.........DO wish some of the american car mfg. would aim those lights(set standard aiming limits) some of them are really blinding .because they are not aimed properly............. The reson that Airport Rotating Beacon Light is green ,Is as I mentioner earlier "Green is the Best in FOG.".. Just my 2 Cents.....Pete

#12 01-15-2004, 09:48 PM

When the foglights put a bright patch of light right in front of the vehicle, your pupils close down a bit, and as a result, you don't see as far with the high beam's light farther down the road. Of course, many cars on the road have their foglights misaligned so that they are glaring like high beams, and thus they do help distance vision, but at the expense of blinding oncoming drivers.