Auto leveling Xenon Headlights 99 CLK 430
 

I have a 99 CLK 430 and I would like to know if the HD headlights are self leveling and how to check that they are functioning properly
Thanks
Joe

Since your car is under warranty have the dealer check. BTW, why do you want to do this?

Kevin

Good point
The dealer tells me that the Headlights in my model do not auto level. This is contrary to the original specs on this car that were posted on MBUSA. I thought someone on this message board could clear it up.
Thanks
Joe

...hmm, didn't DOT require auto-leveling of HID?

-fad

I was under the impression all HID have to self adjust by law
Joe

I am not sure about the 99 CLK, however, my 1998 E430 has factory HID and no auto-leveling (AL). Early models may have been before the DOT standard. I completely combed thru my 98 E-Class brouchure and no mention of AL, however it is listed in all E-Class brouchures for 1999 and newer.

I left a message with the Tech rep at Mercedes Care about 2 weeks ago and never received a return phone call.
Joe

I checked the owner's manual for our 99 CLK320 (Xenon, build date of 2/99) and could not find a reference to auto-leveling headlamps. However, I suspect the feature is there because I can detect a slight "bounce" in the headlamp pattern when going over a sharp bump; it is only momentary. Let us know what the MB rep says...

I can say confidently that my '98 CLK 320 has the auto levelling feature on them. . .

I have a 1999 CLK brochure #MC-98-908-125 and on page 39 under Optional Equipment Package K4 it says:

Xenon High Intensity Discharge headlamps with automatic level control

There's the answer.

Thanks for finding that information I thought that I saw that a few years ago but lost the source.

Joe

Take a look under your car or through the engine bay and see whether you can see a sensor like the one on the picture mounted at the right chassis beam...the sensor is connected to the swaybar...

http://communities.msn.nl/_Secure/0M...t-swaybar3.jpg
Swaybar with the controlarm to the sensor just mounted...

[img]http://communities.msn.nl/_Secure/0OwAzAAEV!30g7NIHDQq22Wobt3r6YSW1!KkgjZGd4m8FyKaiUJowt7uMBIhsvuUW*bTaJZFgTCoWjtCenAIcBYKJx1JhUGZj/levelling-sensor-front2.jpg[/img]
Swaybar mounted under the car again and attached to the sensor.

[img]http://communities.msn.nl/_Secure/0OwAAAAIVHn4g7NIHDQq22Wobt3r6YSW1!KkgjZGd4m8!ULZSiAmUK7o*58c4YZBKeWaQmOzcgitvd9YnzXCUflVeH!oaQm66/levelling-sensor-front3.jpg[/img]
The sensor itself.

greetingz,