2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C55AMG headlamp

297 Operation
Vehicle care
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from the intrusion of
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticor-
rosion Wax, should be applied to the
engine compartment after every engine
cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be
lubricated. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys
should be protected from any wax.Vehicle washing
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. Only use a mild car wash
detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz
approved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water. Direct only a very weak
spray towards the ventilation intake. Use
plenty of water and rinse the sponge and
chamois frequently.
Rinse with clear water and thoroughly dry
with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning
agents to dry on the finish.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in
exterior rear view mirrors prior to running
the vehicle through an automatic car wash
to prevent damage to the mirrors.
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the underbody, do not
forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty
chrome-plated parts, use a chrome
cleaner.
Headlamps, tail lamps, side markers,
turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and only use a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not
attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry
cloth or sponge.

324 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
High beam left
The left high beam lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
High beam right
The right high beam lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
License plate lamp,
left
The left license plate lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
License plate lamp,
right
The right license plate lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Light sensor
Drive to workshop
The lamp sensor is malfunctioning.
The headlamps switch on automatically.

In the control system, set lamp
operation to manual (
page 142).

Switch on the headlamps using the
exterior lamp switch (
page 109).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Low beam left
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.
Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

325 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
Low beam right
The right low beam lamp is
malfunctioning.
Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Parking lamp
left front
The left front parking lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Parking lamp
right front
The right front parking lamp is
malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Rear fog lamp
Substitute bulb on
The rear fog lamp is malfunctioning.
A substitute bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Switch off lights.
Headlamps have been turned on with the
driver’s door opened and the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch.

Switch off the headlamps.
Taillamp left
Substitute bulb on

The left tail lamp is malfunctioning.
A substitute bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Taillamp right
Substitute bulb on

The right tail lamp is malfunctioning.
A substitute bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.

344 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsSafe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp
assemblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp
adjustment.
Bulbs
iIf the headlamps or front fog lamps are
fogged up on the inside as a result of
high humidity, driving the vehicle a
distance with the lights on should clear
up the fogging.iSubstitute bulbs will be brought into
use when lamps malfunction. Observe
the messages in the multifunction
display (
page 323)

345 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Front lamps Rear lamps
Lamp
Type
1
Additional turn signal
lamp
LED
2
Halogen headlamp:
Turn signal lamp
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:
Turn signal lamp
1156 A
2357 A
3
Halogen headlamp:
Low beam
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:
Low and high beam
1
1Vehicles with Bi-Xenon* headlamps: Low beam
and high beam use the same D2S-35W lamp. Do
not replace the Xenon bulbs yourself. See an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
H7 (55 W)
D2S-35 W
Lamp
Type
4
Halogen headlamp:
High beam/high beam
flasher
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:
High beam flasher
H7 (55 W)
H7 (55 W)
Parking and standing
lamp
W5W
5
Front fog lamp
HB4/9006
(55 W)
6
Side marker lamp
W5W
Lamp
Type
7
High mounted brake
lamp
LED
8
Brake lamp
P21W
9
Turn signal lamp
PY 21 W
a
Parking and side
marker lamp
P 21/5 W
b
Backup lamp
P21W
c
License plate lamps
C5W
d
Rear fog lamp (driver’s
side only), tail and
standing lamp
P 21/4 W

346 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs
Notes on bulb replacement

Only use 12 volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.


Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.


Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.


Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.


If the newly installed bulb does not
come on, visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Have the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center:


Additional turn signals in the exterior
rear view mirrors


High mounted brake lamp


Xenon* lamps


Front fog lamps
Warning!
G
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot.
Allow the lamp to cool down before
changing a bulb.
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas.
A bulb can explode if you

touch or move it when hot


drop the bulb


scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.
iHave the headlamp adjustment
checked regularly.

347 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a
front lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM (
page 109).

Open the hood (
page 278) (except
for side marker lamps).
Halogen headlamp
1Housing cover for low beam headlamp
2Housing cover for high beam head-
lamp, parking and standing lamp3Bulb socket for turn signal lamp bulb
4Bulb socket for low beam bulb
5Bulb socket for high beam bulb
6Bulb socket for parking and standing
lamp bulbLow beam bulb

Press the clamp on housing cover1
and remove it.

Pull the electrical connector off.

Turn bulb socket4 counterclockwise
and take out the bulb.

Insert the new bulb so that its socket
locates in the recess of the lamp
housing.

Turn bulb socket4 clockwise until it
engages.

Plug the electrical connector onto the
bulb.

Align housing cover1 and press until
it engages.

349 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Bi-Xenon* headlamp
1Housing cover for Bi-Xenon headlamp
2Housing cover for high beam flasher,
parking and standing lamp3Bulb socket for turn signal lamp bulb
4Bulb socket for high beam flasher bulb
5Bulb socket for parking and standing
lamp bulbHigh beam flasher bulb

Press the clamp on housing cover2
and remove it.

Pull the electrical connector off.

Turn bulb socket4 counterclockwise
and take out the bulb.

Insert the new bulb so that its socket
locates in the recess of the lamp
housing.

Turn bulb socket4 clockwise until it
engages.

Plug the electrical connector onto the
bulb.

Align housing cover2 and press until
it engages.
Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover1 for the
Bi-Xenon headlamp. Because of high voltage
in Bi-Xenon lamps, it is dangerous to replace
the bulb or repair the lamp and its compo-
nents. We recommend that you have such
work done by a qualified technician.