What does this button do? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

clintard · #1 06-16-2010, 08:07 PM

I have a button between the drivers side power window switches and i cannot figure out what it is for. It dosnt do anything when i push it. The opposite side between the passenger side window switches has a plastic piece in the same spot but no button. What is it?

Also, when pulling the headlight switch towards myself to turn on the fog lights i find you can pull it just a little further to another position but that dosnt do anything either. Is it supposed to do something?

One more dumb question. When turning the headlight switch counter clockwise, i can get it to turn on the parking lights but there are more positions than just 1 and i cant figure out what they are for either LOL!

Thanks for the help

DieselPaul · #2 06-16-2010, 08:09 PM

It would help if you told us the year and model on your car.

The second pull is for the rear fog lights which aren't hooked up on US cars.

On the knob:

2 click right is the headlights
1 click right is the parking lights
0- Neutral
1 click left is one side parking light
2 click left is the other side parking light

The left clicks are for parallel parking.

Chad300tdt · #3 06-16-2010, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clintard

I have a button between the drivers side power window switches and i cannot figure out what it is for. It dosnt do anything when i push it. The opposite side between the passenger side window switches has a plastic piece in the same spot but no button. What is it?

Also, when pulling the headlight switch towards myself to turn on the fog lights i find you can pull it just a little further to another position but that dosnt do anything either. Is it supposed to do something?

One more dumb question. When turning the headlight switch counter clockwise, i can get it to turn on the parking lights but there are more positions than just 1 and i cant figure out what they are for either LOL!

Thanks for the help

The button is a lock so the rear window switches can't be used.

The positions on the headlight dial are for when you're parking. You put turn on the lights on the street side in certain parking situations.

The second pull is as DieselPaul stated, a rear fog light setting for Euro cars.

clintard · #4 06-16-2010, 08:21 PM

Thank you so much! Wow that was quick!

Rear fog lights huh? Never heard of such a thing. Why would you need rear fog lights?

I was checking my brake fluid today and now my red brake light is stuck on. Did i bump some kind of sensor? Parking brake hasnt been touched at all.

Jeremy5848 · #5 06-16-2010, 08:26 PM

The rear fog light is on the left side only (in RHD countries) and is as bright as a brake light. If you tried to use it in the USA some cop would probably stop you for "taillight out." Ditto the one-s1ded parking lights.

Your car probably has two parking lights in the instrument cluster. Which one is on? You still haven't told us what kind of a car you have.

TMAllison · #6 06-16-2010, 08:53 PM

Jeremy - Because of rainy road spray I see quite a few folks with the rear on in the winter time on the grooved concrete pavement sections of Hwy 680, 880 and 101. Is sometimes fun to pull it on and off when someone is tailgaiting; they think one brake light is out and back off.....however breifly.

DieselPaul · #7 06-16-2010, 09:15 PM

On the audi there are two rear brake lights, so it is an effective way to get people off your bumper,

RML · #8 06-16-2010, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clintard

I have a button between the drivers side power window switches and i cannot figure out what it is for. It doesn't do anything when i push it. The opposite side between the passenger side window switches has a plastic piece in the same spot but no button. What is it? . . .

That would be the ejection seat. It only works if the sunroof is open. The drivers side ejection seat was an expensive option that few people ordered.

BrianCostello · #9 06-16-2010, 09:29 PM

rear fog = Increase visability

I turn mine on in heavy rain, snow, and of corse fog.

It makes a big difference on a crowded highway, really makes the rear of your car POP, in the ho-hum American roadway. with any luck, if they SEE you, they wont rear end you. But this is America. . .not Germany. So don't hold your breath

DieselPaul · #10 06-16-2010, 09:31 PM

I read a study a long time ago that daytime running lights decreased accidents by a substantial percentage, so I run parking lights at all time. When the weather gets crappy I run fogs and in the A4, I'll run the rear fogs in fog (obviously) heavy snow, and particularly nasty rain.

tangofox007 · #11 06-16-2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselPaul

I read a study a long time ago that daytime running lights decreased accidents by a substantial percentage, so I run parking lights at all time.

Apparently, you didn't read the study that found that parking lights create the illusion that the vehicle is moving more slowly than it actually is. That is why that it is illegal to drive with the parking lights on in some states.

tangofox007 · #12 06-16-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

The button is a lock so the rear window switches can't be used.

So the window switches in the rear cannot be used. The rear window switches on the console are not affected.

RML · #13 06-16-2010, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangofox007

So the window switches in the rear cannot be used. The rear window switches on the console are not affected.

Exactly. The whole idea here is to keep the children in the back seat from playing with the windows while the driver maintains control over whether they are open or closed.