Mercedes fog light bulbs on the W204, W205, and W213 platforms are simple H11 halogen bulbs — but many US Mercedes owners pay dealers $80–$150 to replace them when the job takes under 20 minutes and costs $10–$40 depending on whether you stick with halogens or upgrade to LED.
Which Bulb Do You Need?
- W204 C-Class (2008–2014): H11 halogen, 55W
- W205 C-Class (2015–2021): H11 halogen, 55W (some AMG models use H8)
- W213 E-Class (2016–2023): H11 halogen, 55W
Always confirm your specific build with your VIN on the Mercedes-USA website or an Amazon parts finder.
What You'll Need
Mercedes H11 Fog Light Bulb Upgrades – Amazon USA
Step-by-Step (W205 Example)
1. Access the Fog Light Housing
The fog lights on W205/W213 are accessible from underneath without removing the wheel liner. Reach up into the front bumper cavity on each side. There's a circular access cover about 3 inches in diameter behind each fog light housing.
2. Twist Off the Dust Cap
Rotate the round rubber dust cap counter-clockwise about 1/4 turn. It will pull straight out.
3. Disconnect the Wiring Harness
The H11 bulb has a 3-prong connector. Press the tab and pull the connector straight off.
4. Remove the Old Bulb
Rotate the bulb socket counter-clockwise to unlock it from the housing, then pull straight out.
5. Install the New Bulb
Do not touch the glass of a halogen bulb with bare fingers — the oil from your skin causes hot spots that crack the glass. Use nitrile gloves. For LED bulbs, this doesn't matter. Insert the new bulb into the socket, rotate clockwise to lock, reconnect the harness, and reinstall the dust cap.
6. Test Before Reassembly
Turn on the fog lights and confirm the new bulb illuminates before closing up.
US State Inspection Note
Most US state vehicle inspections require that fog light beam color be white to amber — not blue or purple. LED bulbs rated 5000K (daylight white) are generally compliant. Very blue LEDs (7000K+) may fail inspection in states with strict lighting laws. Stick to 5000K–6000K for maximum compatibility.