The Mercedes-Benz C220 high beam headlight uses a 9003 or H7 bulb size, while the low beam headlight requires a 9003 bulb size. The replacement chart covers 1994 to 1996 model production years with corresponding bulb specifications.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The 9003 bulb is an ANSI-standard dual-filament halogen type rated at 12V with a 60W high beam filament and a 55W low beam filament, mounted on a P43t base. Its dual-filament design allows a single bulb to serve both high and low beam functions within the same housing.
The H7 bulb is an ECE-standard single-filament halogen type rated at 12V and 55W, mounted on a PX26d base. Unlike the 9003, it carries only one filament, meaning each beam function requires a dedicated bulb position.
The P43t and PX26d bases used by the 9003 and H7 bulbs respectively are physically incompatible with each other, making the two types non-interchangeable despite sharing the same operating voltage.
On the Mercedes-Benz C220, the 9003 bulb covers both the high beam and low beam positions across the 1994-1996 model years in standard headlight configurations.
For the 1995-1996 C220 equipped with Xenon headlights, the high beam position uses an H7 bulb rather than the 9003. This fitment is specific to the Xenon headlight variant and does not apply to the standard headlight configuration.
The low beam headlight position on the C220 uses the 9003 across all three model years in the specifications, with no alternative bulb listed for any headlight variant in that position.
The H7 bulb, while developed under ECE standards, carries approval for use in the United States and Japan in addition to European markets, broadening its regulatory acceptance beyond its region of origin.