Buy Mercedes-Benz E350 Parking, Corner, Side Marker, Signal Light

Overview

Modern Mercedes-Benz E350 models use bright "turn signal lights" (also called blinkers, direction indicators, flashers or signal lamps) on the front bumper, rear cluster and side-view mirrors to tell everyone which way you're turning. They flash in an amber rhythm that meets strict safety rules, use 12-volt bulbs such as the PSY24W/PY21W, and warn you-by hyper-flashing on the dash-when one burns out. Quick DIY fixes, simple care habits and smart LED upgrades can keep these little safety beacons shining strong for years.

Where It Sits

Front & Rear housings

• Front lamps mount inside the head-lamp shell and shine forward at least 45 degrees to each side.
• Rear lamps sit in the tail-lamp cluster; laws let them be amber or red, but amber is more visible.

Mirror repeaters

• Slim LEDs in each side mirror boost side visibility and reduce blind-spot crashes. (Wikipedia)

How It Works

Simple circuit

1. The stalk on your steering column completes a circuit to the left or right bulbs.
2. A flasher module (or the car's body control computer) sends rapid on-off pulses-about 60 per minute.
3. If current draw drops (for example, a bulb burns out), the module speeds up, giving the driver a "hyperflash" warning.

Bulb Specs

• Factory front bulb: PSY 24 W (12 V / 21 W amber) for 2010-2016 W212-chassis E350.
• Some earlier W211 sedans use PY21W or 7507 bulbs; check your owner's manual chart.
• Mirror repeaters and many 2020-up models employ sealed LED boards that are not serviceable but can be swapped as a module.

Signs of Trouble

• Rapid clicking or dash warning ("Check Front Left Turn Signal") means the filament is open.
• The lamp stays solid without blinking-often a bad ground or corroded socket.
• White light instead of amber signals a peeled bulb coating; this can fail inspection.

Safety & Rules

• U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 requires front indicators to be amber and visible 45° left/right and 15° up/down.
• Rear lamps must be amber or red, but most modern vehicles-including the E350-use amber for faster driver recognition.
• SAE J588 sets brightness and flash-rate ranges (60 ± 6 flashes per minute) for replacement lamps.

Replacement Steps

1. Turn wheel inward to access fender liner or open the hood (year dependent).
2. Twist the round plastic cap behind the head-lamp; pull out the bulb holder.
3. Wear gloves-finger oil can shorten bulb life.
4. Install new bulb, lock holder, test flash, re-seal cap to keep moisture out.

LED Upgrades

• Quality LED bulbs cut power draw by ~80 % and last up to 30 000 h.
• Because LEDs draw less current, the car's monitor may hyper-flash; adding a 6-Ω 50-W load resistor-or buying CAN-bus ready bulbs-fixes that.
• LED kits designed for the W212 fit snugly and preserve beam focus.

Care & Tips

• Keep lenses clear; dull plastic cuts brightness.
• Check flash rate monthly during a pre-drive walk-around-takes 30 s and can avoid a ticket.
• Replace bulbs in pairs so color and intensity match.

Eco & Disposal

Burned-out incandescent bulbs contain glass and small metal parts. Wrap in paper before trashing to prevent cuts, or take them to a household hazardous-waste center that accepts automotive bulbs. Many LED boards are e-waste and should be recycled through electronics programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the blinker suddenly blink really fast?
A: The car senses low current and speeds up the flasher to warn you that a bulb is burned out or an LED draws too little power.

Q: Can I use white bulbs in front?
A: No. U.S. law requires amber front turn signals, so white will not pass inspection.

Q: What size bulb fits my 2014 E350 sedan?
A: The manual lists PSY 24 W (also called 12180) for the front indicator.

Q: Will LEDs void my warranty?
A: Using DOT-compliant LED replacements that meet SAE J588 keeps you within federal guidelines. Save the old bulbs in case of dealer questions.

Q: How tight should the mirror repeater housing be?
A: It should snap flush with no gaps; a loose seal lets water in and shorts the LEDs.

Q: Do turn signals cancel lane-departure alerts?
A: Yes-systems purposely silence lane-departure warnings when a blinker is on.

Q: What flash rate is legal?
A: Between 54 and 66 flashes per minute per SAE and FMVSS rules.

Q: Why choose amber at the rear too?
A: Studies show amber rear signals cut certain crash types by up to 28 % compared with red.

Q: Can I swap sides if only one bulb burns out?
A: No-left/right bulbs are identical, but the burned-out filament is a warning to change both.

Q: How long do factory bulbs last?
A: Around 2 000 - 3 000 hours, or 3-5 years of normal driving. LEDs can exceed 20 000 hours.

More Help

• Official Owner Manual PDF - step-by-step bulb replacement diagrams. Download
• NHTSA Interpretation Letter - clear summary of legal turn-signal colors. Read here
• SAE J588 Standard (public PDF) - testing and photometric specs. Open
• FMVSS 108 Full Text - federal lamp requirements. View