W211 Headlight adjustment

[lexon]

Does anyone know how I can adjust the xenon headlights for driving on the continent without the hassle of a dealer visit?

On my other cars there's been a simple lever to flick over. The handbook says see the dealer......grr

 

[marcos]

The handbook for my one says to remove the cover at the back of the light and flick the small switch over It's very easy actually

 

[calum]

The PDF file of the US W211 owners manual says that you must contact your dealer to have the lights switched to symmetrical low beam.

 

[Flash]

As far as i know its a DIY job from flicking the switch/leaver over after taking the rear cover off the lights.

 

[calum]

Yup, I've heard that, and also I've heard the opposite. It's either different for different models (e.g. different types of headlamp) or different dates, or it's all a scam.
I'm going to rant at my dealer about the battery recall (still no letter) so I might mention this too whilst I'm there.

 

[glojo]

Yup, I've heard that, and also I've heard the opposite. It's either different for different models (e.g. different types of headlamp) or different dates, or it's all a scam.
I'm going to rant at my dealer about the battery recall (still no letter) so I might mention this too whilst I'm there.

Definitely worth a visit. My dealers informed me last week that they are still waiting on Mercedes-Benz to issue the list?? We might get the TMC before hte recall (Late summer??)

I would think different class Mercedes-Benz would have different configurations if they have xeons as opposed to bi-xeons?

John

 

[calum]

Definitely worth a visit. My dealers informed me last week that they are still waiting on Mercedes-Benz to issue the list??

thanks John, that's good to know.
I'm getting infuriated with it: every day, I get a battery protection warning, and the A/C fan goes down to its lowest setting; not so good in these temps.

 

[Satch]

Mine is just a very simple adjustment that changes a mask in the unit. But I recall that at some point the W/S211 Xenon headlights changed to a more complex type.

 

[GrahamC230K]

BrianWH has travelled abroad a few times in his 211, I'm sure he will know - try a PM to get his attention.

 

[saorbust]

I had mine converted at the dealers when we went to France. Took ages and they mucked it up when I returned. I have heard the reason for the dealership doing the changes instead of the owner is the high voltage associated with Xenon's.

 

[fuzzer]

does it really make a lot of diference to what you can see?

 

[glojo]

thanks John, that's good to know.
I'm getting infuriated with it: every day, I get a battery protection warning, and the A/C fan goes down to its lowest setting; not so good in these temps.

Hi Calum,
I would NOT tolerate that kind of defect. Get your backside down to the dealer and get it fixed!!!!! YESTERDAY..... Unbelieveable.

Even short term they should at least replace the battery to resolve the issue during this current hot spell.

John

 

[calum]

Hi Calum,
I would NOT tolerate that kind of defect. Get your backside down to the dealer and get it fixed!!!!! YESTERDAY..... Unbelieveable.

Even short term they should at least replace the battery to resolve the issue during this current hot spell.

John

yup, I know... I just believe it's the recall - others have said this - so was patiently waiting for my recall letter.
When I rang MB to see if I was affected, the best they could manage was "maybe", and it will need to go on the Star Diag to tell for sure.

 

[Satch]

does it really make a lot of diference to what you can see?

The dipped beam lifts up on the left for UK cars so as to better illuminate the roadside. But when driving on the left in Europe that would trouble oncoming cars. All that happens on mine is that a portion of the shutter comes down so I end up with a flat beam cut off.

It does not "convert" it to a LHD car that would normally have the beam kicking up to the right.

So I end up seeing less than when driving in the UK when on dipped beam.

 

[Steve_Perry]

^^^ Exactly right...

@fuzzer, the change is not so that the driver can see more but to stop dazzling on-coming motorists when driving abroad.

S.

 

[nickgee]

It's actually quite easy - if your arms are long, thin and have a couple of extra joints!

But seriously, I got my local Dealer to show me once, and I've done it ever since. Takes about two minutes total now.

Pop the bonnet, reach in to the light fitting. There is a large plastic screw cover, which removes fairly easily.

The cover gives access to the various bulb housings. Locate the Xenon fitting - to one side of it is a small plastic flip switch. Make a note of the current position (up or down) and push it to the reverse.

I can't remember which side the flip switch is on, but it's fairly easy to locate. Also, I think it's on the same side for both lights and will be set to opposite positions (which makes sense).

Replace the plastic screw cover afterwards!

The difficult bit is fitting your arms into the space available - without burning yourself on any hot bits. And it goes without saying that the ignition must be off before you do this - I'd try and leave it about ten minutes to let any residual current dissipate, but that's probably without any validity.


PS. Don't, as I did once, make the adjustment while on board the Eurotunnel. The heat from the engine bay triggered one of their silent fire alarms!

 

[calum]

PS. Don't, as I did once, make the adjustment while on board the Eurotunnel. The heat from the engine bay triggered one of their silent fire alarms!

nice one; thanks Nick.

 

[lexon]

Thanks for the input. I actually have bi xenons so I guess that's why they refer to the dealers.

The snag is That we're on an overnight ferry with an evening drive down from the North to Portsmouth where we will require lights. We will then be in France for three weeks and it goes without saying that we'll need the lights then. hence the problem with it being a dealer requirement.

 

[Mr E]

Have bi-xenons on mine too and it's exactly as described above - take off the cover, grope around for the little lever, flip into opposite direction.

The first time is fiddley, you then get much better at it! I now flip mine back and forth in the queue at the port. Have a practice beforehand just to get yourself familiar with it.

IIRC it did actually kick up on the other side (i.e. right-hand side as opposed to left), certainly didn't find driving at night any more difficult.

Have a good trip

 

[lexon]

Have bi-xenons on mine too and it's exactly as described above - take off the cover, grope around for the little lever, flip into opposite direction.

The first time is fiddley, you then get much better at it! I now flip mine back and forth in the queue at the port. Have a practice beforehand just to get yourself familiar with it.

IIRC it did actually kick up on the other side (i.e. right-hand side as opposed to left), certainly didn't find driving at night any more difficult.

Have a good trip

Thanks for the tips. I had a go last night and as you say once you've found the lever it's a simple process. I used a plastic glove that you get when filling up with fuel so I didn't get my hands dirty. The ABS sensor was quite hot so I guess MB are covering themselves when saying its a dealer job.