wallmike

I have 2014 RDX. No tech package. One of the headlight bulbs (low beam) is dead.

I am pretty sure they are halogen bulbs. I plan to replace bulbs in both headlights.

Always felt the lights are a bit dull.

Do I have any options for replacing the halogens with something brighter?

Thanks.

Poolman

Here Ya Go !

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rdx-...-cover-966052/

wallmike

Thanks. What are my options to get something brighter into the 2014 RDX, instead of just replacing the halogen bulbs?

waterchange

There are no magically simple options. You can try modding an H9 bulb ... brighter, additional 10W draw, and shorter lifespan. Some people attempt the LED route but it's unclear if the perceived added brightness is actually beneficial plus you'd likely have to modify the dust cover. I thought the halogen headlights were horrid on my wife's 2015 RDX (my past two cards had HID and factory LED) but I stuck with standard halogen bulbs when they needed replacing.

Poolman

My low beam lights from the factory were horrible. I switched to the ones I stated in the link sent to you. I also adjusted the lights and set them up a little higher on the low beam side and that helped as well.

01acls

Wallmike, you should upgrade to LED bulbs without hesitation. The LED bulbs are rated to produce 2.5 times or more light output than the stock halogen bulbs. I am running Hikari on a car and like them a lot. The LEDs are much brighter than the stock HIDs on my Acuras, not even close.

H11 should be plug n play. Hikari has two price ranges, a $90 and $40 one, I'm using the $90.
.

wallmike

I looked at the Sylvania Xtravision H11 bulbs on Amazon ($20 for 2). Sylvania also has others such as Silverstar, Silverstar Ultra. Watching the install instructions, Sylvania recommends upgrading to the Ultra which costs a lot more than Xtravision. I read some reviews where drivers complained these Ultra bulbs burnt out within months and weren't worth the extra cost. I can afford the cost but not interested in short life bulbs.

Are these Hikari bulbs plug and play? I do not have interest in conversion kits, etc.

Thanks.

Poolman

If ya find out that they are truly plug and play, please post back. I'll give em ago also if they are.

Comfy

You asked for options- there are some depending on how much you want to spend or how involved you want to be.
The cheapest and simplest as already mentioned is just replacement of bulbs. Any new bulb will be brighter than the one which is being replaced. (<$50)
Next is LED bulbs. Mostly plug and play with some minor modification of the back cover. Lights will be brighter but throw/ spread of light is not ideal ($50-200).
Placing an HID / Xenon bulb with its wiring is an option for you. Yeah, it’s a bit messy and not plug and play but you will get much better lighting output than halogen or LEDs (in the given setting). I believe you have a halogen projector inside your headlights. HID bulbs are a reasonable compromise in your case with absolute improvement in visibility. ($200-500)
Retrofitting an HID projector into your headlights is a highly involved and expensive project which will give better than OEM Xenon light output ($500-1000)
Get a replacement HID headlight for your RDX from junkyard (tech version for HID projector) is another option.
Buy OEM projector headlights new (most expensive and therefore least practical).

01acls

As a general rule all LED bulbs are halogen headlamp hi and/or low beam plug and play. Likwise, for halogen fog lamps and driving lights, plug n play. It would be more unusual for them not to be plug n play.

I would not go HID, as a general rule aftermarket HID don't last very long and not plug n play. HID is just as bright if not brighter.

Midnight Mystery

Try a quality H11 LED headlight/foglight kit.

01acls

Correction

Current LEDs bulbs are just as bright as HID if not brighter, hence the trend of car manufacturers choosing LED over HID for their deluxe vehicles.

Poolman

Just installed the LED low beams. Will report back on how they do later. For now have to say they are brighter but need to drive some to say how much. They are plug and play and no hassle in making the change over.

Bham98225

My 2014 RDX Low Beams are dim to non-existent. My High Beams work fine. I have replaced bulbs at least 3 times. I think the high beam is in the same lightbulb...right? So it would appear the power is there.
Coincidentally, My 2003 Honda Pilot had a recall of the wiring harness 9 years after I bought it. April 2012 (NHTSA Recall 12V-136)
Direct Quote from the 2003 Honda Pilot Recall Notice:
"There is a potential failure with the wiring of the low beam headlights which may cause the low beam headlight to fail. The loss of the low beam headlights will increase the risk of crash."
"Call any authorized Honda dealer and make an appointment to have your vehicle repaired. The dealer will replace the low beam terminal and if necessary the combination lighting switch."
Could we be experiencing the same issue on this 2014 Acura RDX? I really want to get this fixed. Other drivers do not appreciate me always using my high beams .

kernel_panic

Do you mind sharing a link to the LED low beams that you instilled?

Poolman

Here's the link and spot. Have been out in the world and the wife picked up the lights were brighter,,sitting over on the wrong side of the car,,yep ...I Like Em low beams only,,high beams from the fac are Okay already,,link below for who's asking.

https://www.headlightexperts.com/car...halogen-532434

kernel_panic

How are these holding up so far?

Poolman

The bulbs helped , I like them over the original equipment . My wife can even tell the diff, and she doesn't drive my car. I also adjusted the low beam lights higher when I installed the bulbs I replaced and the new bulbs worked even better with all the adjustments already made. I'm good with these,,90 bucks later though, that's still a bit high in the dough ray me.

kernel_panic

Good to hear that they perform better than the OEM halogens. Couple of questions:

• Did you also purchase the Warning Cancellers / Capacitors?
• Have you had any issues with DRLs or dashboard warning lights since installing these bulbs?

Poolman

Yes the came with the warning cancelers and have not had any problems with the bulbs. Still not as bright as I would like , but best so far. To add, I bought the car used with 24 k miles on her. I have had a couple of brake lights burn out since my purchase. When ever a bulb burnt out, at no time did the dash give me any warning that a bulb had gone bad. First time a bulb went south , my Son was driving behind me and called on his cell phone to make me aware. The second time my wife was driving the car and the police pulled her over to inform her of the problem. So , I;ve never seen a light come up to tell me of a problem , nor was the a quick blinking mode given on the dash that a bulb had gone bad.