E Class W213 Facelift

[Dewi 2]

Question about the USB C ports.
One in the forward centre console, two in the central storage locker and two for rear passengers.

I expected them to all have the same functionality.
When connecting a phone to use Android Auto, the only C Port that will work, is the one in the forward centre console.
Is that normal?

I think all the ports work for playing music from a memory stick.

........................................................................................

Another question concerning headlights.

Mid morning today, cloudy but bright, the headlights came on at first engine start..
No need at all for headlights, but is there any way to turn off the headlights?
Fifteen minutes later at second engine start, the headlights did remain off.

The light switch positions are AUTO (even in full darkness, full beam does not turn on) and HEADLIGHTS ON.
When HEADLIGHTS ON is selected, there is full driver control of dipped beam/full beam, but no way of switching off headlights.

Edited by Dewi 2 on Tuesday 5th November 19:45

[Faszination76]

I have 2018 213 and although my usb ports are the older type, the only one that works with CarPlay/AA is the one in the front storage compartment where the cup holders are. I’d expect yours to be the same.

The auto lights are designed to work as you describe - full beam (which I take to mean high beam?) won’t come on unless you select it manually by pushing back on the stalk, if you have regular led or multi beam, pushing back will put it into auto high beam mode.

Not sure without going out to look but pretty sure you can switch headlight selector to ‘0’ which will disable auto lights and just leave DRL’s lit.

Finally, if you park close to your house/a wall, your headlights will come on on dull mornings on start, but will go off if there’s enough light once you start driving - happens to mine all the time at this time of year. Totally normal.

[gregpot2000]

Another new 213 facelift owner here..... Yes you are right, Android Auto only works with the cupholder socket. This is why it has a little phone icon on it.

The best thing you can do though....is buy a wireless dongle (I have AA wireless) plug it in there, leave it there and forget about it, never have to think about it again and the phone stays in your pocket

Edited by gregpot2000 on Wednesday 6th November 10:27

[Dewi 2]

Faszination76 said:

I have 2018 213 and although my usb ports are the older type, the only one that works with CarPlay/AA is the one in the front storage compartment where the cup holders are. I’d expect yours to be the same.

The auto lights are designed to work as you describe - full beam (which I take to mean high beam?) won’t come on unless you select it manually by pushing back on the stalk, if you have regular led or multi beam, pushing back will put it into auto high beam mode.

Not sure without going out to look but pretty sure you can switch headlight selector to ‘0’ which will disable auto lights and just leave DRL’s lit.

Finally, if you park close to your house/a wall, your headlights will come on on dull mornings on start, but will go off if there’s enough light once you start driving - happens to mine all the time at this time of year. Totally normal.

Thank you Faszination76.

I would guess therefore, the Stuttgart designers decided to annoy me and have removed the headlight switch '0' position.

Auto headlights are helpful, but they can be an encouragement for drivers to forget about headlights, hence we now see so many cars being driven in fog, without headlights switched on.

[Dewi 2]

gregpot2000 said:

Another new 213 facelift owner here..... Yes you are right, Android Auto only works with the cupholder socket. This is why it has a little phone icon on it.

The best thing you can do though....is buy a wireless dongle (I have AA wireless) plug it in there, leave it there and forget about it, never have to think about it again and the phone stays in your pocket.

Thank you gregpot2000.

Yes, I did notice the little phone icon, but just had a feint hope, that each USB C port might provide the same functionality.
I will follow your suggestion of a wireless dongle.

I think we might have found a sweet spot with the facelift W213.
The EQ Boost system certainly helps to make Stop/Start liveable and the Glide mode going down hills is a novelty.
MBUX incorporating the touch pad works well. Even the voice commands work properly.

I was initially interested in a new W214, but when M-B refused to provide my chosen specification, I soon lost interest.
Subsequently I realised that the W214 is not a new model at all, but simply a few minor changes to its predecessor.
We also avoid that awful new glass dashboard, across the whole width of the car, and the almost complete absence of manual switches.
Another welcome treat being, half the new price.

Edited by Dewi 2 on Wednesday 6th November 19:21

[TarquinMX5]

I can't be 100% sure about your model as mine are different models, however, if you switch the light switch to 'P' (ie either of the parking light positions) that will disable the auto headlight function whilst the ignition/engine is on.

Naturally, being a modern 'safety' system, it's a pain in the neck as you need to do it everytime you turn on/off. Just don't forget to return to auto position after switching off, otherwise you'll leave your parking lights on.

As far as I'm aware, there's no other way to disable the auto lights. One of mine (the new one) is far more sensitive to outside light conditions than the other and it infuriates me when they keep coming on and off, even if just moving it out of the garage or under trees etc

[Dewi 2]

Thank you TarquinMX5.
I will investigate your suggestion.

Wonder though, whether a single tail light would remain illuminated ?
That would look odd to following drivers.

I try to be a courteous driver, so it annoys me that the brake lights (including the high level brake light) always remain on whilst stationary. Even when using Brake Hold, they remain on. No way of turning them off. On a wet dark night, the stationary traffic behind me knows that I have stopped. Ought not to have to dazzle them. Blame the law makers I suppose.

[TarquinMX5]

No, the single park light doesn't stay on - well, not on either of mine. It will, however, come on as soon as the ignition is turned off, hence my comment about remembering to turn it back to 'auto' after switching off and I do find myself checking that the light switch is vertical, ie auto, when parking. I much preferred the older switches with an 'off' position as well as an auto position, but it seems that cars are designed for 'simpletons' these days.

I never use brake hold either, as I don't agree with the brake lights being on all the time at traffic lights etc., although 90% of drivers seem to sit on their footbrakes all the time now.

[Dewi 2]

TarquinMX5 said:

No, the single park light doesn't stay on - well, not on either of mine. It will, however, come on as soon as the ignition is turned off, hence my comment about remembering to turn it back to 'auto' after switching off and I do find myself checking that the light switch is vertical, ie auto, when parking. I much preferred the older switches with an 'off' position as well as an auto position, but it seems that cars are designed for 'simpletons' these days.

I never use brake hold either, as I don't agree with the brake lights being on all the time at traffic lights etc., although 90% of drivers seem to sit on their footbrakes all the time now.

Thank you.

Ref. Brake lights at traffic lights.
I agree with you and want the brake lights off, but that seems to be impossible with my car.

My previous Mercedes had a foot (handbrake) pedal, so I could hold the car with that (just before the first ratchet click, making it easy to release). Having taken my foot away from the main brake pedal, the brake lights were no longer illuminated.

With my W213, I stop at traffic lights, the Stop/Start cuts the engine. If I even slightly reduce the brake pedal pressure, the engine will restart and immediately be in gear. You can press the brake pedal harder, which then activates HOLD, so can relax foot, but brake lights still remain on.
I think the only way to make the brake lights go off, is to press the engine stop button to switch off the ignition, which is probably not sensible at traffic lights.

All this complexity, might partly explain why we see so many brake lights remaining on these days.
Maybe one of those illuminated signs in the back window.
I WANT TO TURN THE BRAKE LIGHTS OFF, SO THAT YOU ARE NOT DAZZLED, BUT MY CAR WON'T LET ME.