Headlight adjustment

Sep 21, 2012 | 06:24 PM

rjmcc01

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 17

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From: North Bend, WA

2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport

Headlight adjustment

I'm not too pleased with the projection of my headlamps...they aim really low and the drivers side and passenger side aren't equal, drivers side even lower. Creates some weird shape image on the road, and to be honest, it's not too safe on the freeway at night. Sun is going down earlier, so I'd like to try and self fix.

Can anybody provide any insight into ease of adjustment or do I need to make an appt?

Sep 21, 2012 | 06:39 PM

mmike

Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 377

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From: Orange County

'10 C300

do you have bi-xenon? if not try using this "adjustment screw" mentioned in this thread:

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...djustment.html

on my car the left headlamp seems lower than the right and ive been meaning to try and adjust it. let me know if it works out for you.

Sep 22, 2012 | 01:19 AM

Domm

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Joined: Mar 2012

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From: San Francisco

'08 Mercedes C300

The drivers side is lower so you don't blind oncoming traffic.

Oct 16, 2012 | 02:43 PM

rjmcc01

Thread Starter

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Joined: Sep 2012

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From: North Bend, WA

2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport

Never updated:

I adjusted, they are a bit better, however they came up and to the right, sounds like it's by design.

I think I just need better bulbs, any recommendations?

Oct 16, 2012 | 03:00 PM

aMsupp

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Joined: Jul 2011

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C300 Sport

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjmcc01

Never updated:

I adjusted, they are a bit better, however they came up and to the right, sounds like it's by design.

I think I just need better bulbs, any recommendations?

They will always project up and right. It's also to illuminate signs on the right side of the road. I have HIDs installed and they do the exact same thing. I've raised my headlights a decent amount and always check to make sure it won't blind anyone by crouching in front of the car and see when the actual blindingly bright projection hits me. From there you can assess if you'll blind people on hills, bumps, or just everyday driving.

I tried raising the drivers side and lowering the passenger side to equalize how they shine on the road and when you crouch in front of the car it's glaringly obvious which gets brighter first.

You'll just have to deal with that, but I would recommend 55W HIDs over the 35W that I use, if you choose to upgrade your head lights.

Oct 16, 2012 | 03:03 PM

RA12426

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I find that just a pair of proper Xenon bulb replacements gives much a much better light output and clearer colour. I opted for 7500k in all 3 pairs; dipped, main beam and fogs. Colour is a clear white with a tint of blue.

A standard feature on the C class is when you have been driving above about ~50km/h with little steering wheel movement for a few miles the on-board computer knows you are on a motorway and actually adjusts the dipped headlights to give a longer range. I only found this out the other day while looking for something else in the manual.

Last edited by RA12426; Oct 16, 2012 at 03:30 PM.

Oct 17, 2012 | 12:05 AM

Knightmare69

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Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 1,375

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From: Hong Kong

2010 C200 CGI

Quote:

Originally Posted by aMsupp

You'll just have to deal with that, but I would recommend 55W HIDs over the 35W that I use, if you choose to upgrade your head lights.

I would have to disagree about using 55w HID's. Properly aimed 35w are more than enough. Factor in that you have street lights and what not unless you're in the backroads in which case use your highbeams. I also was unsatisfied with the way my lights were aimed but I also messed with them so in the end I just went to the dealership and had them aimed properly with a machine. You don't have to go to the dealership but just find a shop that has a headlight aiming machine and you'll be set.