The Mercedes-Benz C230 front fog light utilizes 9006, H1, or H3 bulb sizes, while rear fog light applications require P21W or P21/4W bulb sizes. The replacement chart covers 1997 to 2007 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.
The Mercedes-Benz C230 front fog light uses three distinct bulb types across its model years: the 9006, H1, and H3. Each operates at 12V and 55W, making them identical in power draw despite their different base designs and regulatory standards.
The 9006 bulb follows the ANSI standard used in the United States and Canada. It features a P22d base and a single filament. The Mercedes-Benz C230 uses this bulb in the front fog light position for the 2002-2007 model years.
The H1 bulb follows the ECE standard used in Europe and worldwide, though it also carries approval in the US and Japan. It uses a P14.5s base and a single filament. The C230 front fog light uses this type for the 1998-2000 model years.
The H3 bulb also follows the ECE standard and carries US and Japan approval. It uses a PK22s base and a single filament. The C230 front fog light uses this type exclusively for the 1997 model year.
Although the 9006, H1, and H3 share the same 12V/55W electrical rating, their base designs are physically incompatible with one another, meaning they are not interchangeable despite identical wattage.
The rear fog light specifications for the C230 involve two bulb types: the P21W and the P21/4W. These two types differ significantly in filament count and base design, making them non-interchangeable.
The P21W is a single-filament signalling bulb rated at 12V and 21W. It uses a BA15s bayonet base and follows the ECE standard. The C230 rear fog light uses this bulb for the 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007 model years.
The P21/4W is a dual-filament signalling bulb rated at 12V with filaments drawing 21W and 4W respectively. It uses a BAZ15d bayonet base, which differs from the BA15s base of the P21W. The C230 rear fog light uses this bulb for the 1997-2000, 2002, and 2004 model years.
The BAZ15d base of the P21/4W is an offset bayonet design, which prevents it from being inserted into a socket intended for the single-filament BA15s base of the P21W, and vice versa.
The rear fog light specification for the 2003 and 2004 C230 model years differs from one another, with the 2003 using a P21W and the 2004 using a P21/4W, indicating that the correct bulb type requires verification against the specific model year rather than assuming continuity across adjacent years.