Mercedes-Benz CLK500 high beam headlight bulbs use H7 size, while low beam headlight bulbs use H7 or D2S size depending on configuration. The replacement chart covers 2003 to 2006 model 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 H7 bulb is a single-filament halogen type operating at 12 volts and 55 watts, built to ECE standards with a PX26d base. It holds approval for use in Europe, worldwide markets, the United States, and Japan.
The D2S is a high-intensity discharge xenon bulb rated at 85 volts and 35 watts, also conforming to ECE standards. It uses a P32d-2 base and is designed specifically for projector-type housings, requiring an external ignitor to operate.
The Mercedes-Benz CLK500 uses the H7 bulb exclusively for the high beam headlight position across the 2003-2006 model years.
The low beam headlight position on the CLK500 accommodates two distinct bulb types depending on the headlamp system installed. Vehicles fitted with halogen capsule headlamps use the H7, while those equipped with HID headlamps use the D2S. This distinction applies across all four model years covered in the specifications.
Because the H7 and D2S bulbs use different bases, PX26d and P32d-2 respectively, they are not interchangeable with one another regardless of voltage or wattage considerations.
The D2S requires an external ignitor, meaning the bulb alone is insufficient for operation in HID-equipped vehicles. The ignitor generates the high-voltage pulse needed to initiate the arc discharge within the xenon bulb.
The H7 serves dual roles on the CLK500, appearing in both the high beam position and the low beam position of halogen-equipped vehicles. Its single-filament construction means each function requires a dedicated bulb rather than a shared dual-filament unit.
The lower wattage of the D2S at 35 watts compared to the H7 at 55 watts reflects the greater luminous efficiency of HID technology, which produces significantly more light output per watt than halogen.