Draxx

Driving for the first good night drive out on the country curvy roads I discovered that I hate these headlights. I need to see more of .... well everything.

So the lights that serve as "brights" and also seem to function as "low voltage daytime lamps" really suck.

So I need brighter bright lights. Can these bulbs be changed with something that gets brighter?

db22

The low beams are stardard fiment D2S and the only changes available are to change the color temperature from 4300K to a higher value. The higher the value, the less lumen output and less available light of value to the eye. I do agree that the low beams should be raised a little because the cut off is so harsh. If you adjust it then check what they look like to the oncoming cars (don't join the club of inconsiderate a$$holes who want to blind everyone else). The further the throw then the less light will be apparent. Luminance value drops off using the inverse square law so double the distance equals one tenth of the light available.
The high beams use a standard incandecant bulb that may be swapped for a higher value. This value, again, is not proportional, I.E. if you double the wattage then you will not get double the light output. Do not go higher than 4500K if you want to see more of the road and do not go above 100watts if you don't want to smoke the wiring harness in the RL.

Ballinger

You can upgrade to Halogen Infrared bulbs, and there's a thread on here where I show you how to fit the bulbs into our socket. They are noticeably brighter.

The technology is essentially our same bulb, with a coating that reflects infrared back into the filament, super-heating it to a much brighter white light. They are OEM on many cars and a retrofit to ours.

However, I have found the bulbs don't last as long as a non HIR alternative, and I get about 18 months out of them. This makes the bulbs "rather expensive".

oo7spy

There are many aftermarket bulbs that you can replace the high beams with. Typically, the brighter the bulb, the shorted the bulb life. For a direct swap, you will need a 9005 bulb. I have upgraded mine to Sylvania Silverstar Ultra and replaced my wife's CR-V bulbs with OSRAM NightBreakers. Both perform better than OEM, but don't hold a candle to a focused HID like the RL low beams.

I don't quite understand the gripe about the RL low beams. The performance of the low beams is better than any OEM halogen on the market hands down. I believe the sharp cut off line creates an illusion that you can't see as far as you "should be able to", but if you put the RL low beam right next to your favorite halogen beam, the RL will give you better visibility.

I would also be careful raising the cut off of the low beam. Please take notice of where your cut off is on the rear of a car in front of you when you are a few car lengths behind someone and where it is on the front of their car as you pass them on a flat surface. I find my cut off is very close to the top of a normal car's trunk and very close to the bottom of their windshield. Any higher, and I will be shining into their cabin which is unacceptable like db mentioned.

lland

Also, if you adjust your headlights on your own, keep in mind it is pretty easy to strip the screw mechanism. A few folks here have done that.

LL

Carbon Legend

You have a few options. Better bulbs like the new Osram CBI 5000K bulbs they are badass. you can do a clear lens swap on the projector which will increase light output. then you can get some 50W ballast (yes they are safe been using them for over 3 years on several cars as well as customer's cars). If you still need more light you can go my route.

I did a Retrofit into the high beam area with a Bixenon HID Projector. You do lose the DRL tho. I also retrofitted the fog lights with some ford fusion fog lights with 35w HID bulbs. Now i have all the light i will ever need. they are all properly aimed and level with the car. they do not blind anyone. i need to get some new video of the lights in action all my current videos were horrible due to excessive bass lol

Draxx

Thanks guys!

After reading I think what I need is further throw but also I need a wider throw - I'm used to having the lights reflect in the eyes of dear on the side of the road ahead .... these do not do that ..... It feels like I can see maybe 20 yeards ahead of me... that's not far enough.

I will have them raised and see if that helps. I do know what you mean by the club of "blinders" ... I cuss those peeps when they're coming at me.

Are there any brighter light blubs I can get without having to install a ballast and connect to the battery and generally be the mechanic I'm not?

Draxx

I was driving a 2012 Malibu rental before I got the RL and the bright lights on that thing felt like they would light up a stadium. I really liked it. It was the safest Ive ever felt flying down the dark deserted highway at night.

oo7spy

I'll save my comments about blinding the deer as Carbon and I have already argued that technique, but you can buy any halogen 9005 bulb and directly replace them with your stock bulbs. I gave two good options above. I would go with the OSRAM NightBreakers between the two.

Draxx

Oh I'm always game for a good argument. I live in deer country ... my whole life. When I see their eyes its my warning to slow down and be aware. What comes after that is optional .... i.e... stop/blow horn/jet by/ creep by.

If you blind them and THEN startle them you risk them jumping right at you. .. so must be patient and let the animal tell you what it wants to do.

I've been driving 25 years and thankfully have never hit a deer nor has one ever hit me. I go through "deer ally" every night on my way to the store. Its wooded area that is fenced on two sides and creates a "gauntlet" that they get stuck in ... must be careful.

I will check out those blubs oo7 Thanks!

Draxx

oo7 - are these the right version of those bulbs?

db22

A simple fix for the fog lamps is to fit a H9 instead of the H11. H11 is around 1200 lumens and the H9 is around 2100 - almost twice the output.

The H9 has to be modified but it is really simple: 1. cut 3mm of of the large tab and 2. cut the additional plastic key inside the socket.

Ballinger

Yes, as noted above by several, you can swap out the OEM high beam/DRL with aftermarket bulbs, including the HIR versions. If you can plug in the vacuum cleaner, the blow dryer or a drill motor, you can install a headlight bulb.

oo7spy

...

Carbon Legend

have you considered upgrading your HID bulbs as well. the Osram CBI 5000K bulbs are brighter than OEM

Draxx

I ordered the lights. I am eager for their arrival. Thanks again oo7!

Maintenanceman

Fogs already done, low beams latest at the autumn when its getting darker here.
High beams, HID i think, just have to take them out before "yearly inspection" next summer.
I bought these.

Carbon Legend

Good choice on the CBI's

Draxx

With the help of a buddy of mine I installed the headlights today.

They are at least twice as bright as the other ones although still not nearly as bright as the 2012 Malibu I had as a rental.

I am mostly pleased but maybe next time I'll try db22's suggestion.

Thanks again everyone for sharing.

oo7spy

Once again, I think the issue lies in the fact that the low beams are HID. When you turn the high beams on, you still have the HID light underneath, and that side by side comparison allows for easy dismissal of the halogen's ability. You can't deny the difference in intensity between the two bulbs. When I put SilverStars in Legend #1, there was night and day difference because halogen was all I had. In Legend #2, they just get reamed by the HID when it comes to luminosity.

I am very interested to know what bulbs the Malibu had. I will not deny your opinion as impossible, but I have a very strong inclination that your memory of their performance isn't accurate.

Draxx

LMAO! That's my favorite line you know ... "It's not that I think your telling lies it's just that I think your mistaken where the truth is concerned"


No - I wasn't imagining it. The guy who lives behind me rode with me in that Malibu with those lights on and I asked him last night and he agreed - those Malibu brights were the brightest lights he had ever seen as well.

Ballinger

Part of what we perceive as "brightness" isn't candlepower, but concentration of beam via a quality reflector. The Malibu may have had very smart work done in the headlamp reflector design.

I used to drive a beaut of a classic Mercedes, with dual driving lights on the bumper, carrying 100watt halogen bulbs behind somewhat frosted glass and in front of very low-tech reflectors (a chromed bowl that was the back of the light housing). They threw light all over the place, but not that far out, deep, even though they put out a great deal of candlepower. The bulbs were El Mas Macho, but the light wasn't focused where I could use it well.

Draxx

I think for me this issue has been about directional lighting and hills.

The lights are very directional. When going up and down country hills you can be going down the hill - the lights are aiming at the bottom of the hill - but the up part of the next hill actually, literally, right in front of your face and you can't see any of it unless the brights are on.

Dukeuni

This is a great thread.

I will probably go out and purchase the OSRAM - Night Breaker Plus 9005 for my high beams.

It also looks like I may get a pair of the H9's for the fog-lights (sounds like a simple change for a noticeable difference). Is there any electrical issues people have faced?

I am now wondering about the OSRAM d2s for the HID low beams. This is a more expensive upgrade, and wonder if people see a noticeable difference between the OEM and the OSRAM.

Thoughts?

Thanks again for this great thread!

Dukeuni

Bump

Carbon Legend

OEM Phillips 85122+ (Very similar to the OEM GE Bulbs) are on top.
Osram CBI (Cool Blue Intense) on the Bottom

godfatty420

try osram svs they are said to be brightest d2s in the market right now
i looved the high beam projector setup
cheers

Jack Mosca

oo7spy - your writing on 7/25/12 best served my purposes. Thank you. Much conversation about high beam upgrade - living in S Cal too many cars on the road all the time to ever use them. The car is terrific - most of my driving is 80 MPH on the freeway. Over the years I have owned Mercedes - BMW - Caddy's and none come close to the great ride and confidence the RL provides regardless of the speed - we drive 12,000 miles a year - it I can get 50,000 plus on the pax I intend to keep them - I read on this site most owners are getting 20 - 30 000 on a set of non pax tires - do you or others who read this site attempt to race the RL around - to be young again - I'm going to leave my stock headlights alone - your advice is spot on....why no xenon lighting in the RL. Lastly my son drives an 06 RL purhcased new - approaching 250,000 miles - has had it serviced on schedule - and it runs as good as if not better than my 07 with 24,000 miles....what a great car.....and great site....