Light wattages

[Crosbo]

I have read in a couple of catalogues for aftermarket Mercedes parts that only German wattage bulbs are recommended for use in MB's. Apparently, the wrong wattages can cause electrical problems leading to cruise control problems &/or speedo problems?? Is this correct? I was considering upgrading the headlights to the higher wattage bulbs (offered in the same catalogue). Surely if markers lights could cause such a problem, headlights changing 20-35 watts could really upset the delicate balance??

Does anyone have a definitive answer?


------------------
'89 300E 3.0
'82 350SD

I'm sure you'll get more detail on this, but as far as I know, only the brake light circuit affects the cruise control function. Changing headlight bulbs should not directly cause electrical problems, although I've heard numerous concerns of higher-wattage bulbs melting the wiring harness/ contacts.

[Chiragp]

Nick is right, its only the brake light one. Besides, I run 50 watts on my brake lights, reverse lights, and 100/80 watt Xenon (not HID) on my 9004 bulbs. These are not the super white or blue coated bulbs, but atually have xenon gas inside and don't have a filament that is responsible for alot of fuses burning out due to heat build up. On the 50 watts ones, I had only the one hooked up in my 3rd brake light and it kept blowing out because I didn't balance the other 2 in the tail lights. Once I did that no problem for about 4 months with the xenons and 2 years+ with the 50 watt Halongen bulbs.

Good Luck.

(I have a 93, and I have heard anybody who has anything older then a 90 might have problems because the car might have older wiring harnesses or something, So see what happens.)

------------------
Chirag (Charlie) Patel

99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
93 190E 2.6 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
2001 C-Class - Maybe (if 190E sells )

Chiragp,
What brand are you using for your xenon-replica bulbs in headlight? Solaris?
Also, as long as wattagage is the same as OEM bulbs, it should be a problem, right?
Thanks