Interpretation ID: aiam3314
Mercedes-Benz
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale
NJ 07645;
Dear Mr. Jones:#This responds to the questions you raised with Stephe Oesch of my office on May 1, 1980, concerning Standard No. 101-80, 'Controls and Displays*.#You asked if the clearance lamp system symbol shown in Table I of the standard can be used on a rotary switch to identify a position that activates only the parking and side marker lights. You also asked whether the low beam symbol can be used to indicate the headlamp position on the same rotary lighting switch. Such a use of the clearance lamp symbol and low beam symbol is permissible.#Under S5.2.1 and footnote 2 to Table I, the switch which controls not only the headlamps, but also the clearance, identification, parking and/or side marker lamps must have the Table I symbol for headlamps and tail lamps either on or adjacent to it. It appears from the drawing you left with us that the required headlamp and tail lamp symbol would indeed be adjacent to the switch. S5.2.1 also provides that a manufacturer may use additional symbols for the purpose of clarity. Since the additional symbols you contemplate using would inform the driver about the particular lights which are operated by the different positions of the switch, they would serve the purpose of added clarity.#If you have any further questions, please let me know.#Sincerely, Frank Berndt, Chief Counsel;