Mercedes-Benz 500SEL Headlight Bulb Size

The Mercedes-Benz 500SEL uses 9003 and H6054 bulb sizes for both high beam and low beam headlight applications. The replacement chart covers 1984 to 1993 production years 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.

High Beam Headlight

If US Type and EU Type show the same value, a direct cross-reference for this bulb is not available or the data is insufficient.

Years	US Type	EU Type	Shop
1992-1993	9003	H4	Check Price
1984-1985	H6054	H6054	Check Price

Low Beam Headlight

If US Type and EU Type show the same value, a direct cross-reference for this bulb is not available or the data is insufficient.

Years	US Type	EU Type	Shop
1992-1993	9003	H4	Check Price
1984-1985	H6054	H6054	Check Price

Bulb Specifications

Description	Type	Shop
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament halogen bulb with P43t base. 12V, 60W/55W.	9003	Check Price
ANSI standard (US & Canada). 5x7-inch rectangular sealed beam unit. Not a replaceable bulb — the entire unit is replaced. 12V.	H6054	Check Price

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 9003 is a dual-filament halogen bulb, meaning a single unit contains both the high beam and low beam filaments. This is why the 1992-1993 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL uses the same bulb size for both high beam and low beam headlight positions.
The 9003 operates at 12 volts and draws 60 watts on the high beam filament and 55 watts on the low beam filament. It uses a P43t base, which is a bayonet-style mount standardized under ANSI specifications for the US and Canadian markets.
The H6054 is a 5x7-inch rectangular sealed beam unit, meaning the lens, reflector, and filament are fused into a single non-serviceable assembly. When the filament fails in the 1984-1985 500SEL, the entire sealed beam unit requires replacement rather than just an internal bulb.
Both the 9003 and H6054 carry ANSI standardization for the US and Canadian markets, indicating that fitment is governed by regional lighting regulations rather than manufacturer-exclusive specifications.
The 1984-1985 model years share the H6054 sealed beam unit across both high beam and low beam functions, following the same dual-purpose pattern seen in the later 9003 fitment of the 1992-1993 years.
The H6054 and 9003 are not interchangeable. The sealed beam format of the H6054 and the replaceable halogen format of the 9003 represent fundamentally different headlight construction types, and the mounting configurations are incompatible.