Figured I'd write this up for anyone that needed assistance in finding out how to remove the interior lights from their housing for replacement or upgrading.

Time to complete the job:
Map light: 3mins
Glove box: 1min
Door light: 1min
Foot rest: 1min
Map light: 1min

Parts Needed:
1) Bulb size 6418 -5 bulbs. 1-Glove box, 2-Each side foot rest, 2- Each Door.
2) Bulb size 2825(AKA wedge bulb) - 2 For the map light.

Tools needed:
1) Panel removal tool
2) Small Flat head screwdriver



The Map light has to be completely removed in order to replace the two bulbs inside, size T10.
Start by unclipping the two tabs that are placed towards the rear of the vehicle. You can start by using the panel removal tool to help pry the map light open a bit then slide the small flat head screw driver in to unclip the tabs.

Then unclip the two side tabs, one on each side of the map light.

End result.

Twist of the two bulbs and replace.


Glove Box:
The glove box light has to be pried open by sliding a flat head screwdriver or panel removal tool from the top, the light is held in place by the back wiring assembly. Glove box bulb, size 6418.



Door courtesy light:
Simple, just slide a flat head screwdriver or panel removal tool in and slide the light fixture out. Bulb size 6418.



Foot rest light:
This light can be opened with a small flathead screwdriver. Bulb size 6418.

Thanks HFELIU, this is a nice clean write-up, and is now stored in my 'procedures' document. Very helpful sometime in the future!

Cheers,

Gary Knox

Thanks, glad I could help.

Thanks as well. Another solid no nonsense DIY thread from you. Thanks for posting. One thought, the only way to make these threads an even better service to your fellow man would be to state the parts needed and tools needed and rough time estimate to do the job, up front all in one place. You already have that info in each post but sometimes putting it up front helps first timers in getting set up to take on a project. Again, great series of posts.

Thanks for the helpful tips, it's people like us that'll help to make this one of the best and most knowledable forums out there. I'm actually on my way to work now, so I'll get to that a little later in the day.

quick question on the 6418 LED bulbs, do you know what mm the festoon bulbs are? 31mm, 36mm, 39mm, etc? 6418 LED's come in different mm, thats why i ask. they appear to be 39mm from your pic, but i could be wrong.

I used 36mm

HFELIU, Do you know if the dome and map lights are the same? All 4 being the 2825? I've had the hardest time tracking down the right size for those 4. Cheers!

This is killing me... So yesterday I called one of the local dealers and he told me that the dome lights were 2825's and I questioned it. He said that I could bring the car in and they would check. WTF! It's definitely not the 2825. They are the wedge one's but no one seems to know the model number. Any one have the exact model number PLEASE??? I need the Dome light and map lights. I'm not sure if they are the same.

194/168/2825 they are the same. I used 194.

Great post! 👍

Replaced the trunk light bulb, its a 6400 bulb (Festoon bulb) with the following 1W LED, works, no CAN bus issues,
nice and bright, had to compress the contacts a bit to increase the clamp force on the LED bulb so it won't rotate (heat sink on the rear of the bulb)...

Thank to all who posted on this thread about doing the retrofit to LED bulbs for the interior. I just replaced all the interior bulbs on my 2009 SL550 with LED and it looks so much better. Even did the trunk light as well. The only two left to change are the ones for the sun visor mirror. Does anyone know what size those are? I've looked online but seems to be different information on bulb type/size.

Sun visor bulbs I did not do, never ever use this feature :-)

Sun visor are 194 same as the others

Hello NHSI550. Thank you for letting me know the bulb size for the sun visor mirror lights. Much appreciated.

For anyone interested in replacing their R230 license plate bulbs with LEDs I found a nice, inexpensive option on Amazon. They are the Canbus style and I did not get a bulb out warning on the dash with these. They are a bright white. 36mm is the correct length.

Yonput 4 PCS Car LED Car Bulb Kit Set, 36mm High Brightness Car LED Reading License Plate Light, Error Free LED Double Tip Light for Interior Map Dome Lights and License Plate Courtesy Lights (White)