What is the purpose of the lights that go on if I turn my light switch on to the left? These are the ones that only light up on the left (front and rear) or right (front and rear), but not both. I've got a 1984 300SD. And, yes, I looked in the manual. That tells me what but not why.




edited to add: And since I'm asking stupid questions anyhow, why do I see so little mention of 300SDs from 1984? Was that year rare or crappy or something?

__________________
Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell. -- Edward Abbey

1984 300SD: Hilda the veggie vundercar

here ya go: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=45092

A European or German requirement. While parked at the road side and waiting you turn on the lights on the side of the car that is closest to the traffic. This way you can be seen by the traffic on the road.
Additionally when you pull the light switch to turn on the fog lamps. the forst pull turns on the front fog lights. The second click turn on the rear fog lamp. The left side inboard red light comes on at a rather bright setting. this is so cars behind you, in the fog, can see you better.

For our European posters if this is wrong, let me know. Additionally, are thes a German requirement or european requirement.

Dave

__________________
1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

Probably because nothing ever goes wrong with them

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

In Europe I believe you'd have a PAIR of rear fog lights, not just one side.

Gilly

My 1983 German model 240D has only one rear fog light (on the driver's side). There is a spot for one on the passenger's side as well, but there is no bulb receptacle.

__________________
1983 240D Euro 4 speed
2004 C230 Kompressor
2006 BMW X3

My '74 Porsche has a similar setup and I was told it was for "marker" lights. They show, apparantly, that you are sitting still, and which side of the vehicle is "toward" the traffic.

kma

__________________
74 Porsche 914 2.0 - 92k and counting
85 300 TD - 263k and counting
83 300 TD - 190k and counting
74 Harley Davidson Superglide - 38k and counting
68 Harley Davidson Sportster - currently in kit form

Dave has it right. My friend - a German national with a work visa - said it's for parking, depending on which side of the street you're parked. Interesting design.... doesn't use more lights than necessary which saves the battery.

__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 169K

The concept is excellent, but you can't use them in this country. I've tried it and was embarrased each time when someone went to the michrophone to make the announcement that there was a GREEN MERCEDES WITH THE LIGHTS ON. Even at a private party someone will ring the door bell to let somene know that there is a car parked in the street with the lights on. No one in this country understands the concept.

Peter

__________________
Auto Zentral Ltd.

Thanks everyone!

I won't try this in the US. Maybe Canada.

__________________
Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell. -- Edward Abbey

1984 300SD: Hilda the veggie vundercar

just ran across this...

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39820

They are right.. They are for parking.. I spend a lot of time over sea's and you must use them in most places when parking on the street at night.. If you do not you will get a ticket every time.. I know that from experience..

Ken

I had the exact same thing happen to me. When I first got hte car, every time I'd park on the street, I'd leave the marker light on on that side, and got someone saying that I had left my lights on multiple times.

However, the only reason I stopped using it was because, for some reason, if I left them on overnight, the battery would die. This didn't happen at first, but even with a brand-new battery and a system that's supposed to be left on for a while, I kept getting the dead battery. I think that one of the bulbs (or something else) may be drawing more than it's supposed to...

I think it's a great concept (same with the rear fog lights, which my car has the socket for neither )...too bad the U.S. hasn't caught on...

__________________
2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
Spark-free since 1999

As far as people in this country not getting it. I think that applies to more than just the park lights. I have spent quite a bit of time in Germany and other Northern/Western European countries with my work and whenever I have to come back home, I experience a bit of dread at having to put up with most of the drivers in this country. Yes the Germans drive fast on the autobahn, but they are courteous. If they see you approaching from behind, they simply move over and let you by. Here I have had more people cut me off as if they are trying to control my speed than I can count. Also I have noticed that most western european drivers are very orderly about how they drive. In this country, drivers are just too unpredictable to be safe. I think we should convert all the interstate highways into autobahn type roads and let Darwinism take care of itself.....Safer roads in the long run and population control.....

__________________
83 W123 240D
76 300D, "Lil Yellow Car"
1978 Cessna 172N 180 HP Mod

"If life ain't fun, I'm not interested"

The important things are those that you learn after you know it all.
Chip Foose

Build a better mousetrap and you will REALLY infuriate corporate america.

Hawk180 .. I must say you live in one of the worse places to drive on the west coast.. Seattle is the one place I really do not like.. Just can't stand all those people over in the fast lane making a right turn across all the lanes to get off the freeway.. In a trip thru that city you can see every law broken several times.. We always go thru there trying to take our time and miss all the crazy drivers.. A real task.. However the freeways are getting worse all up and down the west coast.. Makes you want to stay home more..

Ken