Was wondering if the single Bi-Xenon light per side on the '05 TL is adequate to "light up the night"? Haven't purchased the vehicle yet. But my current rides (Acura RL/BMW 330i) have dual HID/Halogen head lights. And they do perform. Is the single Bi bulb of a higher capacity? I'm sure the Fogs (second light in the pod) will not be of much help. More like a running light. Why doesn't Acura offer running lights? We need all the help we can get from those drowsy, cell phone addicted, food eating. hair combing. roadway mamas out there.

Snappy
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'05 TL - DWP/Parchment (soon)

 

Move to 3G TL forum. You will get more helps and discussions from there.

 

If i remember correctly, these cars do not have dual HID, they have HID for low beam, and regular halogen bulbs for the high beam... where the 3rd gen TL has HID low and high. the bulb intensity infact stays the same, but a motor opens the aperture of the projector lens bigger, kind of like a camera, to project the light higher, thus resulting in high beams

 

The fogs in the TL do make a difference. When You turn the fogs on and off, you will see there is a difference.

 

Snappy,
The bi-xenons should be a LOT better than any halogen based high beams. The bulbs/output are still the same as regular xenon headlights (4x00K and around 3200 lumens.

 

wait- are you talking about on a BMW X5 for example...it's got Bi-Xenons (which is one bulb with a piece of something that unblocks the bulb to put it into high beam mode)....then next to the bi-xenon, there's a halogen light.....that's for flash to pass....ya know....tapping the stick. is that what you mean?

 

Both low beam and high beam lighting on the TL is Xenon. There are no halogen lamps used for either of these. However, the fogs are halogen and do quite a good job of offering fill in lighting for those times you want maximum light on the road with the low beams.

 

I think the headlights on the TL provide exceptional lighting. I can't stand to drive a car with Halogens now because the road looks too dark. Only complaint about lighting the road so much is you can see every damm rock that comes up off the interstate to take a chip out of your bumper, AHHHH. Time to invest in a bra.

 

anyone else read how the high's on the TL work. ?? I used to think it was an aperature or shutter covering part of the light, which would be on the back side of the projector, but I found a reference in a magazine that the "click" you hear when you engage the highbeams is pulling or pushing the bulb into a different focal lenght behind the projector, thus casting a different arena of light. Certainly makes sense. But if you look at the upper edge when you park in front of a wall, it does look like there's something there.

So I have a physics question then. is the line you see on the top edge of the light spray on a wall, on the bottom or top of the inside of the projector glass.. If you think that thru a glass sphere, the image is upside down.. (my synapses don't always work right and I think about stupid stuff)

 

I can see my original question on this subject was written in such a manner as to suggest the AcuraRL and BMW have halogen lights. That is NOT the case. The '03 BMW has Bi-Xenon and the '02 AcuraRL has HID (basically early Xenon). But the both have a second highbeam to assist. That was the crux of the question in terms of enough light at highbeam from TL. Why do these vehicles have (2) per side high intensity lights and the AcuraTL has basically (1) per side. Not having driven the TL at night yet, my curosity was piqued.

Seconddary to this, was my understanding of federal lighting guidelines requires Bi-Xenon lighting to be self adjustable for load and aiming changes (as does the BMW, a motorized actuating motor that constantly adjusts the level of the Bi-Xenon (while the second hi-beam is fixed.) So, how does Acura skirt this issue as their Bi-xenon is fixed and non-motorized?

PS I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas. Pickup the new TL next week and then driving to Wisconsin for Xmas. Yes, it will have Dunlop Graspic/Alloy wheel set mounted (from the Tire Rack) prior to delivery (cause them folks git snows BIG TIME.) Nothin fancy on the Alloy wheels just the FOX series but looks nifty enough for snows. Thinking of having the original rims chromed having seen those from a member on this site.

 

I'll try to take them in order ..

?Is there enough light at highbeam? - Absolutely, I have no difficulty whatsoever with the high beams on. The light is both "bright" enough and aimed correctly to provide incredible lighting.

?How does Acura skirt the self-adjusting issue? By having the driver's side light set lower, it prevents the lights from interfering with other drivers. Good for them not great for TL owners, I do have instances when I'm going into a dip and the headlight shines directly into the ground infront of me severly limiting my vision ( on winding roads I use the foglamps which help to fill in the spaces rather nicely)

Besides that, A TL for Christmas?? That rocks .. enjoy your ride it's an awesome machine.

 

On your trip to wisconsin, try to vary the speed instead of just sittin on cruise for several hours.. part of break in is "no constant speed for long periods of time".. pass a few cars (or all of them), or vary the speed 5-10 mph every 15-30 mins. But definately play with it a few times, some moderately hard play and some nice play. You'll be done with break in at 500 miles, before ya even get to Wisconsin.

And say hi to wisconsin for me, i'm from Burlington originally, goin back up next September for a friends wedding.

 

Thanks for the "great" responses! I can see why this site is so popular. Like a fraternal order of the Masons or something like that. Ya, I'm convinced TL's "bright is alright!"(ahem)

Besides if I'm not satisfied I carry a flashlight in the glove (glove?) compartment - just have the wife hold it out her window during night drives . . .

Tally Ho - off to Wisconsin we go!