E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Headlight Level check

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Feb 22, 2019 | 10:48 AM
  #1  
gafitanu's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 64
From: Dartmouth, MA
1967 250SE, 2022 GLC300 2023 EQB300, 2018 AMG GT
Headlight Level check

How do you check the level of the headlight beams? I have the bi xenon code 615 with cornering function. WIS headlight adjustment document sends me to DAS. and the instructions from an older thread: Control Units/Body/Headlamp Range Adjustment/List of all Guided Tests/Sensors/Zero Position Adjustment of Axle or Level Sensors moves the low beams up and down a couple of times and rests in the middle. It looks more like a motor range check similar to the HVAC flap motors rather than a zeroing of the default position. And one beam is still higher than the other one and I think that both of them are higher than what it should be, I am getting no light on the road.
Is there somewhere an indication about the inclination of the beam, or a printed grid to help you position the the beams?

Thank you
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2019 | 01:54 PM
  #2  
bbirdwell's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
Veteran: Army
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,966
Likes: 1,315
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
Here is a technique I use on my Miata but I use white sheets on the wall of my garage...
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/...ust-headlights

Internet search will pull up more info.

Also consider that your front suspension might be miscalibrated (assuming your E500 has Airmatic). If the front suspension is too high, it will lift the headlight beams. Front control arms should be between 3.1* (lowest suspension setting) to 4.1* (highest suspension setting). One headlight apparently angled too high does make it sound like a headlight issue.
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2019 | 02:47 PM
  #3  
cetialpha5's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I don't think that applies because the headlights are supposed to autolevel for the bixenons. It's supposed to adjust automatically if your suspension is low for whatever reason. One beam slightly higher than the other is supposed to be normal so it doesn't blind oncoming drivers.
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2019 | 09:52 PM
  #4  
gafitanu's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 64
From: Dartmouth, MA
1967 250SE, 2022 GLC300 2023 EQB300, 2018 AMG GT


Strong up close. The left should be lower for oncoming traffic.

I’ve placed both the W211 and the R230 against the garage door and then backed them about 25 feet. First picture shows the W211 1 ft away, the left headlight is only 1/2” higher than the right. At 25 ft. the left headlight is about 8” higher than the right. They are both way dimmer and higher than the SL.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2019 | 10:40 AM
  #5  
kajtek1's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,224
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
I've been checking headlights the way Gafitanu shows for decades.
For easy referral, when I am close to door/wall I put a piece of masking tape on the center of beam.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2019 | 01:50 PM
  #6  
irondad's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 504
Likes: 49
W205, X253, C190, W213,
I have a 615 car as well and on each side on the front radiator support close to the hood latch there's an opening that leads to a 6mm plastic socket below to adjust the height of each headlight with a 6mm hex wrench. As far as aiming I use a garage wall, tape, and tape measure, and then drive around and adjust as necessary. You need to measure at the cut-off, though, not the high-right point.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2019 | 07:58 PM
  #7  
gafitanu's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 64
From: Dartmouth, MA
1967 250SE, 2022 GLC300 2023 EQB300, 2018 AMG GT
Is this the access hole? Mine needs a 8mm hex.

Reply
Old Feb 23, 2019 | 09:57 PM
  #8  
irondad's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 504
Likes: 49
W205, X253, C190, W213,
Mine's a 6mm. 8mm is pretty big. Regardless...when you turn it you'll see the light rise or lower.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:41 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE