2007 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 Page 16

482 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsBulbs
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp as-
semblies 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 Light Truck Center for
headlamp adjustment.
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If the headlamps or front fog lamps are
fogged up on the inside as a result of high humid-
ity, driving the vehicle a distance with the lights
on should clear up the fogging.
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Substitute bulbs will be brought into use
when the following lamps malfunction:


Turn signal lamps


Brake lamps


Parking lamps


Tail lamps
Read and observe the messages in the multi-
function display (
page 458).

485 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 136).

Open the hood (
page 356).1Housing cover for low beam halogen
headlamp
2Housing cover for high beam halogen
bulb (high beam and high beam flasher)
3Bulb socket for parking and standing
lamp bulb
4Bulb socket for turn signal lamp bulb
5Bulb socket for side marker lamp bulbLow beam bulb (halogen headlamp)
1Low beam headlamp cover
2Bulb socket for low beam headlamp
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ML 500 only:
Before replacing a bulb in the right headlamp,
the fusebox in the engine compartment must be
removed. This should be performed by a quali-
fied specialist workshop, for instance by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

487 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs

Turn cover1 counterclockwise.

Remove cover1.

Turn bulb socket2 counterclockwise.

Pull bulb socket2 out of the
headlamp housing.

Pull the high beam bulb out of bulb
socket2.

Insert the new high beam bulb into bulb
socket2.

Insert bulb socket2 into the
headlamp housing.

Turn bulb socket2 clockwise until it
engages.

Place cover1 on the opening in the
headlamp housing.

Turn cover1 clockwise until it engag-
es.Turn signal lamp bulb
1Bulb socket for turn signal lamp

Turn bulb socket1 counterclockwise.

Pull bulb socket1 out of the
headlamp housing.

Pull the turn signal bulb out of bulb
socket1.

Insert the new turn signal bulb into bulb
socket1.

Insert bulb socket1 into the
headlamp housing.

Turn bulb socket1 clockwise until it
engages.Parking and standing lamp bulb

Turn bulb socket3 (
page 485)
counterclockwise.

Pull bulb socket3 out of the
headlamp housing.

Pull the bulb out of bulb socket3.

Insert the new bulb into bulb
socket3.

Insert bulb socket3 into the
headlamp housing.

Turn bulb socket3 clockwise until it
engages.

488 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsSide marker lamp bulb
Turn bulb socket5 (
page 485)
counterclockwise.

Pull bulb socket5 out of the
headlamp housing.

Pull the side marker bulb out of bulb
socket5.

Insert the new side marker bulb into
bulb socket5.

Insert bulb socket5 into the
headlamp housing.

Turn bulb socket5 clockwise until it
engages.Front fog lamp bulbs
Removing front fog lamp cover:
1Cover
2Front fog lamp or corner-illuminating
front fog lamp*

Insert a suitable object (e.g. screwdriv-
er) at point indicated by the arrow and
pry out cover1.
Cover1 is released.

Swing cover1 outwards and take it
off.
Removing front fog lamp cover (Vehicles
with AMG Sport Package* or ML 63 AMG):
1Cover
2Front fog lamp

Use a suitable object (e.g. hook or a
screwdriver) and place the hook or
screwdriver carefully between lower
end of cover and bumper.
!
If not done carefully and properly, damage
to the bumper can result. We therefore recom-
mend that you have this work carried out by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

490 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsReplacing bulbs for rear lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a rear
lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM (
page 136).
Tail lamp unit

Open the tailgate (
page 119).Opening the side trim panels
Opening the driver’s side trim panel:
1Cover in left side trim panel
2Lock

Turn lock2 90°.

Fold down the cover1.Vehicles without sound system*:

Remove the storage compartment on
the driver’s side.
1Lock
2Storage compartment

Insert a suitable object such as a coin
into the slot of lock1.

Turn lock1 counterclockwise by 90°.

Remove storage compartment2.
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To access the bulb socket, you have to
remove the cover in the corresponding side trim
panel of the cargo compartment.

491 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Opening the passenger side trim panel:
1Lock
2Cover in right side trim panel
Insert a suitable object such as a coin
into the slot of lock1.

Turn lock1 counterclockwise by 90°.

Remove cover2.Replacing bulbs
Example rear lamp passenger-side1Brake lamp
2Backup lamp
3Rear fog lamp (only driver’s side), tail
lamp, parking and standing lamp
4Side marker lamp
5Turn signal lamp
Depending on which bulb needs to be
replaced, turn the respective bulb
socket1-5 counterclockwise.

Press gently onto the respective bulb
and turn counterclockwise out of its
bulb socket.

Press the new bulb gently into its bulb
socket and turn clockwise until it en-
gages.

Align the respective bulb
socket1-5 and turn it clockwise.

Make sure bulb socket is attached
properly.

Close the respective cover in the cargo
compartment.

Close the tailgate (
page 121).

492 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsLicense plate lamp
1License plate lamp cover
2Screws
Loosen screws2.

Remove license plate lamp cover1.

Replace the tubular bulb.

Reinstall license plate lamp cover1.

Retighten screws2.
Adjusting headlamp aim
VVertical centerline
HHeadlamp mounting high, measured
from the centerCorrect headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. To check and readjust a head-
lamp, follow the steps described:

Park the vehicle on a level surface
25 feet (7.6 m) from a vertical test
screen or wall.

Switch the headlamps on
(page 136).
If the beam does not show a beam pattern
as indicated in the figure left, then follow
the steps below:

Open hood (
page 356).
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High beam adjustments simultaneously aim
the low beam.
Vehicle should have a normal tailgate load.

493 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Example headlamp, driver’s side2Headlamp vertical adjustment screw
3Headlamp vertical adjustment screw

Always turn adjustment screws2
and3 simultaneously for vertical ad-
justment until the headlamp is adjust-
ed as shown1 (
page 492). Turn
clockwise for upward movement and
counterclockwise for downward move-
ment.
Graduations:
screw2: 0.50° pitch
screw3: 0.67° pitch
The left and right headlamps must be ad-
justed individually.
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If it is not possible to obtain a proper head-
lamp adjustment, have the system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.