Headlights/Fog Lights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 13, 2011 | 02:33 PM
  #1  
midnite_tl's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Headlights/Fog Lights

I am looking at replacing the yellowish headlights, not the projection lamps, and the fog lights with HID lights. Can anyone help me with this. I am not sure if I have to get a HID conversion kit for the fog lights or not and I have no idea what bulbs to get for the headlamps. Thanks in advance for any help provided.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2011 | 02:55 PM
  #2  
Mr Marco's Avatar
Suzuka Master
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 8,490
Likes: 609
Those HID kits are cheap online. Do a search for the conversion. Several posts about here on AZ. I found one on 3G, but was too lazy to look for a 4G post.

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/g-029-diy-07-08-3g-tl-independent-hid-fog-lights-stock-switch-798978/

I almost forgot...There is a new product that you can use to buff out those yellow headlight lenses. I think I saw it on Motorweek, but it was a year ago so I can't remember for sure (Wasn't paying attention because it is not an issue for me as both cars spend the majority of their time in a garage). Do a google search and see if you can fix your problem without spending $200+

Last edited by Mr Marco; Feb 13, 2011 at 03:06 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2011 | 04:48 PM
  #3  
ghanner's Avatar
Intermediate
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 5
midnite_tl - I've just purchased a 2009 TL and would like to do the same thing....make the Fog light's color match the HID headlamps. I read somewhere that the std. HID headlamps are about 4300.....does anyone know for sure what we can change our stock fog lights to for similar color to the stock HID headlamps? A manufacturer part number or link would be great
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2011 | 10:35 PM
  #4  
midnite_tl's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
ghanner - I am pretty sure I read the same thing somewhere as well. I seen a post with pic a couple days ago with a pretty sick setup, he has his fogs, switchbacks and headlights all at 6000 and it looks sick, so I might go that way if i cant find and 4300-5000 lights. I found some good stuff on these websites; http://www.autolumination.com/ , http://www.luminicsusa.com/ , http://www.hidextra.com/ . I think that between these three, we can get exactly what we need or want.

Light Part Numbers:
High Beams: 9005
Low Beams: HID-D2S
Switchbacks(Parking Light/Signal): 1157
Fog Lights: H11
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2011 | 11:15 PM
  #5  
ghanner's Avatar
Intermediate
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 5
Thanks Midnite_TL.....please post what you do. I've got to take a look at conversion to all 6000's as that seems easiest....I just don't want it to be too much blue hue.
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2011 | 11:30 PM
  #6  
ghanner's Avatar
Intermediate
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 5
Midnite_TL....one more question....are you changing out your parking lights to LED's? I was thinking of doing that. I'm not sure if the brake lights are already LED's but that's a nice option I've seen on other cars.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2011 | 08:19 AM
  #7  
midnite_tl's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
If you are worried about it having too much of a blue hue, you could go with the 5000 and it would pretty much match the low beam HID lights, save a little money and it would be just a bright white. That is probably how I am going to go. I will have to wait until July, when I get back from Afghanistan, but I will do all at once. About the parking lights in the front, they are miniature bulbs, but one of those sights from about has LED replacements for it and the brake lights are LED, so there is no need replacing them, unless you were gonna go with the smokes tail lights that JnC does. My TL is getting a lot of mods in July, for sure.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2011 | 05:27 PM
  #8  
mkellner's Avatar
3rd Gear
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I don't know why people have such an issue with the blue hue. I went 30,000k on my headlights and foglights, cleared out the headlights and put hyperwhite led on the daytimes it looks nasty at night. haven't fixed my hyperflash yet bc its been cold so ive used the led turns sparingly to avoid a short but its warming up so i'll do that soon
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2011 | 08:58 PM
  #9  
jnc2000's Avatar
Three Wheelin'
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 115
From: Pittsburgh
Originally Posted by mkellner
I don't know why people have such an issue with the blue hue. I went 30,000k on my headlights and foglights, cleared out the headlights and put hyperwhite led on the daytimes it looks nasty at night. haven't fixed my hyperflash yet bc its been cold so ive used the led turns sparingly to avoid a short but its warming up so i'll do that soon
30k
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2011 | 10:32 AM
  #10  
midnite_tl's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by mkellner
I don't know why people have such an issue with the blue hue. I went 30,000k on my headlights and foglights, cleared out the headlights and put hyperwhite led on the daytimes it looks nasty at night. haven't fixed my hyperflash yet bc its been cold so ive used the led turns sparingly to avoid a short but its warming up so i'll do that soon
Thats actually sounds pretty sick, could you possibly post a pic or two of your ride at night or something, I wouldnt mind seeing that. I appreciate it, it will help me make a decision on which way I go, I am weighing all my options, thanks mkellner.
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2011 | 11:49 AM
  #11  
jnc2000's Avatar
Three Wheelin'
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 115
From: Pittsburgh
I'm trying to understand why people are STILL buying bulbs that obviously can't be what they are marketed to be. Basically, you're buying cheaply made 6k bulb that's been painted.
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2011 | 12:03 PM
  #12  
midnite_tl's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
jnc, you'e talking about the 30,000 being 6K's that are painted?
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2011 | 03:46 PM
  #13  
jnc2000's Avatar
Three Wheelin'
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 115
From: Pittsburgh
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/show...b-Crash-Course

http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/show...uths-and-Myths


If you had a true "30k" bulb... your headlights would be producing light output that's the equivalent of UV light. Less lumens - dangerous for you as a driver, and other drivers on the road.

I won't even get into the legalities of it....
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2011 | 03:58 PM
  #14  
midnite_tl's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Thats all I need to know, dangerous to other drivers is good enough reason to not do it, thanks.
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2011 | 10:26 AM
  #15  
TinyRK's Avatar
Autofahrer
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 304
Likes: 43
From: Chicagoland
Would this work with a 2011 TL?
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-HID-H...25417-1-2.html
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2011 | 10:53 AM
  #16  
midnite_tl's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
They should, those are the ones I am getting in 5K white for my 09 TL and I dont think there has been any change between the 09 and 11, not certain though. I think major wiring changes are made when a new gen comes out, or something like that.
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2011 | 10:59 AM
  #17  
ghanner's Avatar
Intermediate
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 5
TinyRK.....looks interesting for the fogs as it may be a plug & play solution. I contacted V-LED via email to see if that will work. I don't think such a solution would work for the High Beams which double as the daytime running lights (by running the high beams at reduced voltage).

I'll post their response when I get one.
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2011 | 12:00 PM
  #18  
potmilkz's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,022
From: Southern Cali 626 area
can anyone direct me on how to wire independent fog lights to workwith the oem fog light switch?
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2011 | 11:21 PM
  #19  
cybersonic's Avatar
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: California
Originally Posted by ghanner
midnite_tl - I've just purchased a 2009 TL and would like to do the same thing....make the Fog light's color match the HID headlamps. I read somewhere that the std. HID headlamps are about 4300.....does anyone know for sure what we can change our stock fog lights to for similar color to the stock HID headlamps? A manufacturer part number or link would be great

I believe stock HID temperature is 4300K. The TL 4G fog light bulb is H11


http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...RG-Results.htm


This setup is 6000K HID for low beam and fog lights. I will be switching out the fog lights to 3000K soon.






Last edited by cybersonic; Feb 21, 2011 at 11:35 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2011 | 06:20 AM
  #20  
ghanner's Avatar
Intermediate
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by cybersonic

This setup is 6000K HID for low beam and fog lights. I will be switching out the fog lights to 3000K soon.
Great shots cybersonic.....since you are further along with your upgrades, you can probably answer a few critical questions.

I assume you changed the OEM HID low beams to 6000k because you wanted the bluer hue.

On the high beams which double as the DRL (running the std. halogen high beam bulbs at reduced wattage), did you add HID ballast and does the DRL function work by firing the HID at reduced wattage?

Why do you want 3000k for fog lights....is that for the ability to cut through real fog? I was actually wanting to get the fog light color to match the std. low beam HID and figured I'd simply change out fogs to a 5000k halogen bulb OR change out to the V-LEDs small ballast H11 5000k bulb (waiting to confirm fitment is simply bulb change only with no external ballast).

Perhaps if you go with 3000k fogs, changing the amber driving/turn signal lights to LED switchbacks (I think that's what they are called...I'm not used to the terms yet ) would then make more sense to me on a SH-AWD.....otherwise, you would end up with a look of 6 white lights in drive mode (2 low beam, 2 fog and then 2 white LED switchbacks).
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2011 | 12:17 PM
  #21  
cybersonic's Avatar
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: California
Originally Posted by ghanner
Great shots cybersonic.....since you are further along with your upgrades, you can probably answer a few critical questions.

I assume you changed the OEM HID low beams to 6000k because you wanted the bluer hue.

On the high beams which double as the DRL (running the std. halogen high beam bulbs at reduced wattage), did you add HID ballast and does the DRL function work by firing the HID at reduced wattage?

Why do you want 3000k for fog lights....is that for the ability to cut through real fog? I was actually wanting to get the fog light color to match the std. low beam HID and figured I'd simply change out fogs to a 5000k halogen bulb OR change out to the V-LEDs small ballast H11 5000k bulb (waiting to confirm fitment is simply bulb change only with no external ballast).

Perhaps if you go with 3000k fogs, changing the amber driving/turn signal lights to LED switchbacks (I think that's what they are called...I'm not used to the terms yet ) would then make more sense to me on a SH-AWD.....otherwise, you would end up with a look of 6 white lights in drive mode (2 low beam, 2 fog and then 2 white LED switchbacks).
Yes, I changed the stock HID low beam to 6000K because I like the bluer hue. I was thinking about changing my DRL to HID 6000K also but decided not too since I may use my high beam. HID for high beam is pretty much a waste because it takes time to warm up, so I ended up getting a pair of Nokya Arctic White Pro Halogen 9005 Headlight Bulb 7000k_65W for $20.00 and paid $10 for installation since I’m a lazy ass.



I decided to get 3000K for fog just for the looks, and yes 6 white lights is a little too much white for me.

Last edited by cybersonic; Feb 22, 2011 at 12:24 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2011 | 12:26 PM
  #22  
ghanner's Avatar
Intermediate
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 5
Interesting...didn't think about the warming up issue for the high beams - that's an excellent point. So by you sticking with Halogen, you get quick fire up for high beam function and I assume the DRL function works fine also.....that bodes well for my idea to simply pick the color I want and then use as close of a Halogen match for the High Beam/DRL bulb and also do the same for the Fog lights.
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2011 | 03:31 PM
  #23  
Smoothie97's Avatar
Racer
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 2
I have 6000K Luminics Pure White bulbs in 9005 installed for DRL and high beams. I like the color output as it matches the OEM 4300K nicely. However, I hate it when the car is off, the bulb is off, your entire high beam reflector housing is shown as a ricer dark blue color because the bulbs are tinted a dark blue color. It looks really tacky and cheap. I may even decide to go back to stock 9005 because it looks so ugly when the bulbs are off.

I also have 6000K Luminics Pure white bulbs in H11 for the fog lights, which are also tinted the same dark blue color. With the car off, the H11 blue bulbs don't look as bad because to see the reflector housing in dark blue, you basically have to be on your knees to see it at eye-level. Since we are all standing up as we approach the car, the reflector housing for the fog light is still clear (normal) looking.

Last edited by Smoothie97; Feb 22, 2011 at 03:34 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2011 | 04:08 PM
  #24  
ghanner's Avatar
Intermediate
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 5
Great....another thing I didn't think about until now....LOL

That builds the case for sticking with Sylvania 5000k H-11's even more...

http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-9005S...uct/B000M5W25E
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2011 | 04:10 PM
  #25  
ghanner's Avatar
Intermediate
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 5
Wrong bulb reference above....I meant 9005....H11's are the Fogs
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2011 | 04:59 PM
  #26  
midnite_tl's Avatar
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by ghanner
Interesting...didn't think about the warming up issue for the high beams - that's an excellent point. So by you sticking with Halogen, you get quick fire up for high beam function and I assume the DRL function works fine also.....that bodes well for my idea to simply pick the color I want and then use as close of a Halogen match for the High Beam/DRL bulb and also do the same for the Fog lights.
I didnt think about the warming up issue either, but I did read in another post, that HID's were not a suitable replacement for the Highs/DRLs because of the switching between high beams and low beams, it would burn the bulb and ballast out much quicker. DRLs wouldnt turn on at all, as well because the current is not enough to turn the ballast on, low power and all.
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2011 | 08:12 PM
  #27  
Smoothie97's Avatar
Racer
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by ghanner
Great....another thing I didn't think about until now....LOL

That builds the case for sticking with Sylvania 5000k H-11's even more...

http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-9005S...uct/B000M5W25E
How do you know that the Sylvania's are 5000K? The Amazon description doesn't mention any temperature color.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2011 | 02:27 AM
  #28  
Aramas's Avatar
(ノ ̄д ̄)ノ ~┻━┻
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
From: Saint Louis, MO
Originally Posted by midnite_tl
I didnt think about the warming up issue either, but I did read in another post, that HID's were not a suitable replacement for the Highs/DRLs because of the switching between high beams and low beams, it would burn the bulb and ballast out much quicker. DRLs wouldnt turn on at all, as well because the current is not enough to turn the ballast on, low power and all.
This is correct. The reduced voltage from the DRL function on top of flashing your high beams will pretty much kill the lifespan on HID bulbs and ballasts. DRLs will either flicker constantly or don't turn on at all. If you want to replace the high beams with something that has better output, go for HIR bulbs (better yet, a 9011. Might require some trimming on the bulb's base to fit, but worth it). If I remember right, you can also get H9 bulbs to fit in place of a H11 for better light output (in the halogen world). Would just need to trim the tabs on the H9 a tad to get it to fit.

It actually makes me sad the 4th gen TLs HID projectors are xenon-only instead of being bi-xenon like the 3rd gen. The 3rd gen TL projectors are actually regarded as the best bi-xenon projectors in the market among retrofitters, though a pain to work with sometimes because of the large solenoid. If I remember right, the 4th gen TL projectors are the same as the TSX's projectors.

And yes, OEM HID bulbs are rated 4300K and run with 35w ballasts.

Last edited by Aramas; Feb 23, 2011 at 02:30 AM.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mada51589
3G TL Problems & Fixes
80
Jan 9, 2025 04:40 PM
Yumcha
Automotive News
70
Dec 7, 2020 05:39 PM
sockr1
Car Parts for Sale
22
Oct 1, 2015 01:31 AM
wusty23jd
3G TL Audio, Bluetooth, Electronics & Navigation
4
Sep 24, 2015 11:41 AM
prox
5G TLX Problems & Fixes
6
Sep 1, 2015 02:03 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:37 AM.