Headlight upgrades?
11-01-2021, 09:20 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 234
Headlight upgrades?
I have a 2010 S model with the standard halogen headlights. The low beams in particular seem very weak (or my eyesight just isn't what it used to be). What's a cost-effective, durable way to improve brightness while maintaining the cut-off (so I won't blind everyone)? If LEDs are suitable for the stock headlight assemblies, are there any preferred brands or kits? Should I consider HID? I was also looking at higher-brightness halogens, but the current halogens are barely visible on dark roads, so I'm assuming I need more brightness. The high beams provide adequate brightness, but the cut-off is too high to use them.
11-02-2021, 05:39 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 384
I have been using aftermarket HIDs in my 07 from the beginning since the halogens were completely awful as well. I've had these in the car for the last 8 years (https://www.theretrofitsource.com/90...005?quantity=1). Considering the projectors are 15 year old technology, I am very happy with the performance of the HID kit.
There are differences between HID and LED. I have never used the LEDs in my car, so I cannot help ya there.
There are differences between HID and LED. I have never used the LEDs in my car, so I cannot help ya there.
11-03-2021, 01:10 PM
#4
Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Posts: 112
Dude I have the HIDs from the link below in my 09. They are awesome. The perfect amount of brightness and I haven't had any issues. I don't get paying super high prices for headlight bulbs. 2x D2S 35W 6000K HID Xenon Replacement Low/High Beam Headlight Lamp Bulbs White
11-04-2021, 04:19 AM
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 37
Totally agree that the light output for the base “S” model is insufficient.
Here is what I did:
1) replaced bulb with higher output rated bulb
This didn’t seem to help at all.
2) readjusted the focus of the main headlights. My headlight were factory set to point straight down. Not sure if all “S” models are like this.
3) for $200 I added fog lights. This really helped. They were super easy to install. About 20 minutes total. The fog lights illuminate immediately in front, then adjust the main headlights to illuminate a little past that area.
Here is what I did:
1) replaced bulb with higher output rated bulb
This didn’t seem to help at all.
2) readjusted the focus of the main headlights. My headlight were factory set to point straight down. Not sure if all “S” models are like this.
3) for $200 I added fog lights. This really helped. They were super easy to install. About 20 minutes total. The fog lights illuminate immediately in front, then adjust the main headlights to illuminate a little past that area.
11-15-2021, 03:40 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: maryland
Posts: 731
I have been using aftermarket HIDs in my 07 from the beginning since the halogens were completely awful as well. I've had these in the car for the last 8 years (https://www.theretrofitsource.com/90...005?quantity=1). Considering the projectors are 15 year old technology, I am very happy with the performance of the HID kit.
There are differences between HID and LED. I have never used the LEDs in my car, so I cannot help ya there.
There are differences between HID and LED. I have never used the LEDs in my car, so I cannot help ya there.
didn’t waste a second seeing this source and ordered.
stealership is $226 each… local store is upwards of $70 each.
🤛🏿🤛🏿 Thanks
11-16-2021, 10:15 AM
#8
you can try Sylvania Silver Star Ultras, they are really a lot brighter compared to all halogens, their life is a little shorter because they are bright(packaging explains that as well). i have put them on friends and families cars to keep things simple and upgrade thier brightness, and never disspointed anyone i did it for.
they are about $40-50 as well, so if you are up for another simple plug and play experiment you can try those too. i'd be interested to hear your feed back on the LED's , they have come a long way past 3-4 years and finally seem to be comparable to other options now.
they are about $40-50 as well, so if you are up for another simple plug and play experiment you can try those too. i'd be interested to hear your feed back on the LED's , they have come a long way past 3-4 years and finally seem to be comparable to other options now.
11-20-2021, 06:46 PM
#9
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 234
Fahren bulbs are really solid. Much brighter than stock, cutoff is preserved for the low beams. High beams will blind everyone (but so would the stock units).
I'd like to add fogs. The car doesn't have them stock (though does have the wiring harness). However, all the enclosures I'm seeing are reflector-style, which will mean glare-city if I try to use high-lumen LEDs. Has anyone found a projector-style housing that works for fogs?
I'd like to add fogs. The car doesn't have them stock (though does have the wiring harness). However, all the enclosures I'm seeing are reflector-style, which will mean glare-city if I try to use high-lumen LEDs. Has anyone found a projector-style housing that works for fogs?
11-22-2021, 06:41 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: maryland
Posts: 731
11-23-2021, 03:08 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 384
They should last. My last ones did not start going blue on me until about 5 years.
A couple of points: (1) make sure the ballasts are not sitting on the engine. Also, (2) do not turn them on/off excessively; the HID bulbs need a minute to cool off before you turn them back on again.
11-23-2021, 06:59 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: maryland
Posts: 731
Nice.
They should last. My last ones did not start going blue on me until about 5 years.
A couple of points: (1) make sure the ballasts are not sitting on the engine. Also, (2) do not turn them on/off excessively; the HID bulbs need a minute to cool off before you turn them back on again.
They should last. My last ones did not start going blue on me until about 5 years.
A couple of points: (1) make sure the ballasts are not sitting on the engine. Also, (2) do not turn them on/off excessively; the HID bulbs need a minute to cool off before you turn them back on again.
#2. Light sensitivity settings and adjustment required.
am happy to not spend over $20 for both, versus stealership cost…
09-01-2022, 09:58 PM
#13
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 19
I have been using aftermarket HIDs in my 07 from the beginning since the halogens were completely awful as well. I've had these in the car for the last 8 years (https://www.theretrofitsource.com/90...005?quantity=1). Considering the projectors are 15 year old technology, I am very happy with the performance of the HID kit.
There are differences between HID and LED. I have never used the LEDs in my car, so I cannot help ya there.
There are differences between HID and LED. I have never used the LEDs in my car, so I cannot help ya there.
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