What headlights are legal and what do I need to convert it?

[Loppysaurusrex]

Looking for something clean for both my headlights and foglights, preferable like the white headlights you see on most luxury cars like acura's, lexus's etc.

But what is legal?

 

[Monk]

60w on high... 55w on low
Lots of different brand bulbs.
Since you said white light, I won't get into why to stay away from colored bulbs(burn out faster, and color filters out distance).
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/headlights-explained-1262237738

 

[Loppysaurusrex]

60w on high... 55w on low
Lots of different brand bulbs.
Since you said white light, I won't get into why to stay away from colored bulbs(burn out faster, and color filters out distance).
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/headlights-explained-1262237738

Can I just pop in an HID white bulb and that's it or do I need other stuff?

 

[Monk]

If you go to a auto parts store, they have a what fits chart for your car.... But yes they just pop in.

 

[Twitch]

Can I just pop in an HID white bulb and that's it or do I need other stuff?

HID bulbs will require a kit (harness, ballast, etc.). You really should not use a HID in the stock reflector housing. The light becomes very scattered and can blind other drivers. If you want HID's look into retro fits, or swaps for new headlights with projector housings. If you want the easy solution just go to the local auto store and pick up high output halogen bulbs. They will burn out faster from higher heat and other reasons but it will achieve the desired look.

While there are laws that regulate the light output, the ones that will get you in trouble are more about color. If your sticking with white you should not have an issue.

 

[squiggy]

 

[Loppysaurusrex]

HID bulbs will require a kit (harness, ballast, etc.). You really should not use a HID in the stock reflector housing. The light becomes very scattered and can blind other drivers. If you want HID's look into retro fits, or swaps for new headlights with projector housings. If you want the easy solution just go to the local auto store and pick up high output halogen bulbs. They will burn out faster from higher heat and other reasons but it will achieve the desired look.

While there are laws that regulate the light output, the ones that will get you in trouble are more about color. If your sticking with white you should not have an issue.

So I can go get white halogens and they'll be legal? And I won't need any other parts than the bulbs?

How long you reckon they'll last?

 

[squiggy]

So I can go get white halogens and they'll be legal? And I won't need any other parts than the bulbs?

How long you reckon they'll last?

White is fine. They will last a few days to a few years. You never really know.

 

[Monk]

@Twitch, thanks for correcting me, I was thinking of the regular Halogen bulbs, get mixed up with all the letters taking the place of words.

 

[Loppysaurusrex]

White is fine. They will last a few days to a few years. You never really know.

How long you reckon it'll take me to switch them out myself?

Don't feel like paying 100$ for a mechanic to do it

 

[squiggy]

How long you reckon it'll take me to switch them out myself?

Don't feel like paying 100$ for a mechanic to do it

Not sure as I have never done it. Hopefully, others who have will chime in.

 

[Twitch]

How long you reckon it'll take me to switch them out myself?

Don't feel like paying 100$ for a mechanic to do it

30 min. Take a look in your manual but its really easy. The high or low, i dont remember which you can do just by popping the hood. The other one is behind the battery on the drivers side and the windsheild washer filler on the passenger side. still not hard, just takes a few extra min. Once you have access its a matter of disconnecting a harness, twisting out the bulb and reversing the process with the new bulb.

 

[Loppysaurusrex]

5 mins


30 min. Take a look in your manual but its really easy. The high or low, i dont remember which you can do just by popping the hood. The other one is behind the battery on the drivers side and the windsheild washer filler on the passenger side. still not hard, just takes a few extra min. Once you have access its a matter of disconnecting a harness, twisting out the bulb and reversing the process with the new bulb.

What about fogs?

 

[Twitch]

What about fogs?

should also be in your manual but,

1. remove the front bezel with a #3 phillips head screw driver
2. disconnect the harness
3. twist and remove bulb
4. reassemble

 

[squiggy]

should also be in your manual but,

1. remove the front bezel with a #3 phillips head screw driver

Or do it the hard way like I did the first time...from behind.

 

[Twitch]

Or do it the hard way like I did the first time...from behind.

ouch. did you drop the whole bumper or just jack it up and go in from under the bottom panels?

 

[squiggy]

ouch. did you drop the whole bumper or just jack it up and go in from under the bottom panels?

removed the clip and reached in. I have small hands, but it was still a tight fight and frustrating.

Never noticed the screws on the front before that.

 

[13blacksedan]

I have the xenondepot LEDs for the low beams and I like them. I have the nokya yellow for fogs and they are nice for the price.

 

[XenonDepot]

Hi,

If you're looking for "street-legal" then you're limited to replacement halogen bulbs that are DOT compliant.

Check our shop by vehicle tool to see exactly which bulb your vehicle uses for the low bean, high beams, etc...

If you're going the halogen replacement bulb route, I really like the Osram Nightbreaker Unlimited bulbs.

Steve

 

[13blacksedan]

I got the xenondepot led's and really like them, they just have some bad 'hot spots' so I had to aim the headlights down a bit more then normal. But they look great.