larryradev

I wonder whether new Jewel LED headlights could be installed
on 2013-2015 Acura RDX. If Acura offers it as an accessory option,
I will be among the first to put them on my car. It looks like headlight
dimensions are the same, (not sure about electrical, though). Also the new "beak" looks a little bit better.I wish they would make it easy to install and swap the current one.

Type X

If we kept the rdx the plan for me was to get the rear lights and front lights.
From quick glance, you'll probably need the bumpers and grills too since it looks like the slope of light is a little wider and if you look up retrofitted audi q5 lights, it will give you a sense of random wiring upgrades that might be needed from HID to LED

(since the parts aren't avail yet in computer) hard to see what exactly is needed)

CybrRdr

Agreed... you will need new front bumper not to mention mount points and wiring. Wouldn't it be easier and more cost effective to just upgrade to a 2016 if you love the LED's that much? You will be getting all the other 2016 updates too.

ceb

Yes. I suspect the fenders and hood may be different as well. You'll also need to consider the lights themselves (probably $4k for the pair) so parts will probably run in the $6k range. Then there is paint and labor...

Type X

No way that high for the lights, if you're patient you'll find them on ebay for under 900 for the set.

Even at Acura i think NEW is 1400 ish.

Better off buying from a rear ended 2016 since you'll be able to get everything in one full shot AND depending on color maybe even already your color (meaning bumper grill hood etc included or whatever else is needed

Doubtit

$ wise probably better off buying a 2016

ceb

True. In the year 2020 there should be a couple of rearended and totaled 2016 RDXs to cannibalize.

I can only guess at the price of the RDX lights but IIRC the RLX lights are in the $2k range. I know the bodyshop charged $1000 for a single 2005 RL headlight assembly.

hand-filer

This^

Comfy

Exactly. There's not much financial sense in retrofitting LED lights to the current RDX. To me the Xenon lights are fantastic. But f you already have the base model with halogens, then may be you could consider. ....???

ceb

The light assembly for the RLX is $1600 ($2100 retail). That's without all the wiring and stuff to go with it, so the two headlights together in parts are $3200. Add the wiring, body bits, labor and paint and I doubt that you could do the conversion for $6k.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

unless!!!!!!!!


you get into a front end collision and you have the body shop buy the 2016 stuff instead of the 2013-2015 stuff.
then; all it cost you is your deductible.


Assuming the 2016 stuff cost about the same as the 2015 stuff.

ceb

Where is that brick wall when you need it?

CoachRick

The "Jewel Eye" marketeers must be laughing up their collective sleeves.

larryradev

I have 2014 RDX Base AWD and do not like the standard halogen headlights. They are ok but nothing special. Replacing with HID or jewel LED headlights will be expensive and will void the warranty as they are not offered as factory accessories.

Do you guys think if adding fog lights will improve low beam visibility at night. I can get them installed for $500 (parts+labor) at the dealership?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^no, because fogs are intended for FOGGY situations....

hence why they are called fog lights

CybrRdr

Maybe upgrade your stock Halogen H11 bulbs with something brighter.. like Silverstar Ultras.

Comfy

Fog lights will provide some illumination immediately in front of the car; and better in foggy situations. Of course it improves the looks of the car.
Like the previous poster suggested switch the bulbs to brighter halogens (4300K) from sylvania, Philips or Osram or HIR bulbs. The improvement would be marginal at best though.
If I were in your situation I would look into retrofitting HIDs into your lights. I know it'll void the warranty of lights but if you use a separate relay harness it should not affect the electrical system of the car ( and the related warranty). You could do a wonderful HID retrofit with $1K. Why? Because it's worth it. Once you move over to HIDs it's very hard to come back to halogens.
The other more expensive and not so good option is to trade into a tech model. Good luck.

ceb

B B B BINGO.

Fog lights are designed to light up the area directly in front of your car. This is exactly what you don't want for driving in clear conditions.

When you look out your windshield at night you see this unlit area directly in front of your car. It is there intentionally. The eye is drawn to the brightest area, so farther away from the front of your car is better. Adding fogs and using them during normal driving would draw your eyes to the area directly ahead of your car and reducing your distance vision and would reduce your ability to react to hazards in time.

You only want to use fogs in fog - when you are driving slowly and hazards will be closer.

ottoman101

I'll consider swapping the tail lights for the new LED if it's simple to do. I like the xenon headlights. Although it would be nice to somehow turn the daytime lights into a cool LED. I don't like their current yellow'ish color.

Comfy

Changing into super bright halogens will help with the color a bit (and will not void the warranty) and work as DRL and high beams.
About the tail lights, let's wait and see. I'm guessing it won't be an all out LED unit, just the tail light (the brake and turn signals would likely still be halogens) Is it worth it in that case...???

s40 driver

I prefer to not have the same luck as I had with my TSX :P (Two accidents within a year :roll eyes

Draxinator

I bought a 2015 base without the fog lights. I ended up doing the dealership install. It doesn't improve the appearance that much. But it does help the visibility enough to assist with that "low beam visibility at night". I don't think the standard halogens did a good enough job for this car.

awoc

Just got a set of jewel LED headlights off a 16 RDX to put into my 13 base.

Does anyone have the wiring diagram (2016-2017) for these cars? If I can only figure out what to plug where.

chickdr

Do they fit without modifications?

Comfy

Wow...this must be a first. This thread has suddenly come alive after a few years. .
Let us know how it ends up.

Tee Jay

So were you able to do the 2016 headlight install on the 2013? Curious.

Comfy

"awoc" has not replied in nearly a year since he got the LED headlight parts. My guess is that the conversion was not possible.

awoc

You should stop posting false information, and actually look at what's posted. Modify at your own risk. Enjoy.

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-rdx-performance-parts-modifications-407/16-led-headlight-conversion-13-15-a-969246/

Comfy

Oh my bad. It was nice of you to update this thread. Thanks.

OMG. Just went though the thread, that looks like a very much involved and in depth mod. Congratulations on having a unique RDX now. You are very mechanically / electrically talented and resourceful member.

John Tafur

hello! I’m jonathan from Miami. How much would you charge me to install my headlights?