The Mercedes-Benz 450SL uses H5001 bulb size for high beam headlights and H5006 bulb size for low beam headlights. The replacement chart covers vehicle production years from 1973 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 450SL uses the H5001 sealed beam unit for high beam headlights across all model years from 1973-1980, with no variation throughout that production span.
The H5001 is a 4-inch square sealed beam unit operating at 12 volts, conforming to ANSI standards applicable in the United States and Canada.
Low beam headlights on the 450SL are served by the H5006 across the same 1973-1980 range, making it the sole low beam specification for the entire model run covered by these data.
The H5006 is a 5.75-inch round sealed beam unit, also rated at 12 volts and built to the same ANSI standard as the H5001.
Both the H5001 and H5006 are sealed beam units, meaning the lens, reflector, and filament are fused into a single assembly. When a filament fails, the entire unit requires replacement rather than just an internal bulb.
The H5001 and H5006 are physically distinct units. The square profile of the H5001 and the round profile of the H5006 make the two non-interchangeable, and each occupies a dedicated position in the headlight assembly.
Because both bulb types follow ANSI standards, replacement units from any ANSI-compliant manufacturer are electrically and physically compatible with the 450SL's headlight housings, provided the correct type is matched to the correct position.