Xenon self leveling question

[jeremy156]

Hi,

I have a W210 e-class, factory fitted with Xenon headlamps. The book says they're self-leveling although I have to admit I don't think they reach very far down the road. How do I determine whether the self-leveling is working correctly? I've heard noises about seeing them move up and down when you switch on... I certainly have no physical movement upon switch-on, so is something wrong, or does that not apply to the W210 headlights?

Advice appreciated,
Jeremy

 

[GrahamC230K]

Sounds like they are faulty, can't believe the w202 ones move about and the w210 ones don't.

 

[jeremy156]

Maybe my choice of words "heard noises about" was bad... I mean I've read descriptions of self-leveling headlights adjusting up and down upon start-up. I think it was about a BMW actually, not a Mercedes-Benz.... so I guess one part of my question was simply "are they supposed to move up and down?"

Cheers

 

[GrahamC230K]

In that case, my answer was as badly worded as your question!

OK, can't say for sure on your w210, but on my w202:

On first switching on of lights since inginition turned on the lights come on aimed low, then rise up high, then settle back down to the correct position, depending on load of the car.

It's not something you can make them do over and over - I think the car has to move, switch off and on again to do it.

 

[Birdman]

I guess one part of my question was simply "are they supposed to move up and down?"
Cheers

Not so as you would ever notice - probably a design feature as I've seen some that 'park' in full declination and elevate only when switched on, as a 'feature'!

The legal requirement is that they self-level. Maybe if you jack up the car before switching them on you'd see them adjust to their new orientation.
The issue is dazzling oncoming traffic, and on the W210 Xenonon lights are standard only on dipped beam. Which is where they were intended to work when first homologated. The W210's full-beam lights are halogens, which you cut off whenever another car approaches, if you're quick enough.
So you shouldn't normally expect to see the dipped beam adjust.

 

[Flash]

In that case, my answer was as badly worded as your question!

OK, can't say for sure on your w210, but on my w202:

On first switching on of lights since inginition turned on the lights come on aimed low, then rise up high, then settle back down to the correct position, depending on load of the car.

It's not something you can make them do over and over - I think the car has to move, switch off and on again to do it.

Thats exactly what xenons/bi xenons are supposed to do as above described by Graham - to make them move/see them move you have to remove the key from the ignition and re-insert the key or possibly even switch the lights on/off again as well.