The Mercedes-Benz 280SE uses an H5001 bulb size for high beam headlights and an H5006 bulb size for low beam headlights. The replacement chart covers vehicle production years spanning 1968 to 1980 with corresponding bulb size specifications.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The Mercedes-Benz 280SE uses the H5001 sealed beam unit for high beam headlights across all specified model years from 1968-1973 and 1977-1980.
The H5001 is a 4-inch square sealed beam unit operating at 12V, standardized under ANSI specifications for use in the United States and Canada.
Low beam headlights across the same model years are fitted with the H5006, a 5.75-inch round sealed beam unit, also rated at 12V and governed by the same ANSI standard.
Both the H5001 and H5006 are sealed beam units, meaning the lens, reflector, and filament are fused into a single assembly. When the filament fails, the entire unit requires replacement rather than an internal bulb swap.
The H5001 and H5006 are distinct units with different form factors: one is square and the other is round. These two types are not interchangeable with each other or across beam positions.
The ANSI standardization of both bulb types means equivalent units from different manufacturers sharing the same designation are generally interchangeable, provided the voltage rating of 12V is matched.