Just purchased a used 2010 Mercedes C300 4Matic with only 71k miles and in fantastic condition. As a Mercedes enthusiast, also owning a classic 1994 E320 Cabriolet, I was excited about this modern addition. The test drive was great, the car performs wonderfully. However, my first night drive was a shock. The low beam headlights are incredibly dim, making nighttime driving genuinely unsafe.
Initially, I thought the headlight aim might be off, pointing too low. But the high beams work perfectly, suggesting the aim isn’t the primary issue. The dimness is consistent on both sides, indicating a general problem rather than a single bulb malfunction. I’ve seen online discussions mentioning weak headlights in these models, but my situation feels beyond just “weak” – it’s dangerously poor visibility.
My first step is to replace the bulbs. It’s an inexpensive starting point to rule out basic bulb issues. But I’m also considering other possibilities.
Could it be that the low beams aren’t even activating? Does the 2010 C300 use the low beam bulbs as Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)? Perhaps only the DRL function is operating, and the actual low beam is failing to switch on. The high beams engage correctly, which makes me think the main headlight system is functional. If the bulbs aren’t the problem, what else could cause such dim low beams? Could a faulty headlight switch be the culprit?
Any suggestions or insights into diagnosing and resolving these 2010 Mercedes C300 headlight issues would be greatly appreciated!
