gogators22

I restored my headlights, but these projectors just don't project that much light on the road. Is it possible to replace these HID's with a brighter color temp or anything? It's pretty hard for me to see at night. Btw, the 2012 TL's headlights are freaking amazing! I wish my 04 had HALF of the brightness the 12's do

My brother also has an 04, and I noticed his weren't very bright either. I just assumed someone replaced factory with 8000K, but I think his are factory after seeing mine. Factory is 4000K right?

Trunk Monkey

iTrader: (1)

First of all, the higher the Kelvin or "K" rating the lower the brightness.

4500-5000k: brightest (white)
5000-6000k: 2nd (slight blue towards 6k)
6k+: not really usefull unless you're going for looks (...still looks dumb in my opinion)

Can you post pics of your lights?? I'd like to see if they are hazed over. Also, you might have them aimed way too low or high. Park the car on flat ground roughly 20ft away from a wall and measure where the top of the beam is from the ground.

gogators22

yeah I know, I bought 8000K for my 95 accord and couldn't see shit. What are the factory ones? and I didnt realize you could aim these? How do I do this wizard? Is it just like my Accord, where you use the screwdriver to tilt them?

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

From the 3G Service Department:https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/re-aiming-headlights-3g-garage-g-007-a-558380/

Factory is 4300k

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

If you have stock bulbs I'd replace them. 7 years on a stock bulb will be pretty dull. Our projectors ate the best bi xenon on the market.
Go to www.theretrofitsource.com and buy a set of their Philips 85122+ bulbs and you'll be happy.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

^^^sound advice.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Yeah man the bulbs dull overtime (of use of course)...

gogators22

thanks, damn. $95 for new bulbs huh? aww shiet
will these fit?
will you marry me?

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

These bulbs are one of the best. Worth the investment IMO.

Acuraluvr

iTrader: (2)

This may be a dumb question, but what about high beams? Are they a different bulb? I havnt found my bulbs to be dull, but they havnt been replaced and I have an 04.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

The high beams are not a different bulb.

Acuraluvr

iTrader: (2)

Thanks, so you just replace this one bulb right? I like the tint of the stock bulbs, these are the same right? just 300 lumens brighter?

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

Well your stock bulbs have probably color shifted to around 5000k to 6000k by now. $95 for a pair of bulbs is damn cheap if you ask me. You could also look into Osram 66240 CBI's 5000k, a little brighter than 85122+ but with the color of 5000K bulbs, but these bulbs cost a pretty penny and have to be imported from Germany. These run $190-$220 shipped a pair, these are what I'm running in my car.

Your bulbs are D2S and you only need one bulb for our headlight. "Bi-Xenon" means they're both high and low, their is a solenoid that controls the shield inside your projector, when you turn your brights on the solenoid flips the shield down and allows the light to expand thus giving you a high beam.

gogators22

Thanks for your feedback.

Is this accurate? Got it from another forum:


--More blueish
--4100K
--Look bright white in a projector such as TSX or S2K
--Will eventually turn blue as the bulb "dies"

85122+-----
--More whiteish
--4300K
--Almost have a yellowish tint in a projector such as TSX or S2K. Look like a "really bright halogen"
--Does not turn "blue" as the bulb dies.


Also, could I buy them from amazon?

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

For the most part that's right. The stock bulbs do color shift after a couple hours use and will do so throughout their life span just as yours are doing now. The 85122+ do not color shift but do have a little bit of a yellowish tint to them. You'll still have a lot of color at the color band though so I wouldn't worry to much about the color itself.

Here's the pic of the 85122+ a little yellow not to bad.

This is what the color band looks like with ZKW-r clear lenses and 85122+ bulbs.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

Nate- do you have any good links/suggestions on where to buy the Osram bulbs from?

john_wrap

^I have the CBI's as well. Upfront, I can tell you that these are some hard bulbs to find!! Hopefully I'll be able to save you some trouble here.

I know a lot of people got them from the theretrofitsource when they had some GB's going on but I missed out on that. They were going for around $190/pair I believe.

I got mine from MotiveMods (http://www.motivemods.com/OSRAM-Cool...sr-cbi-d2s.htm).

And yes, they are 100% legit...for $126/bulb they better be! Lol. All kidding aside, that company has a very good reputation and I can personally vouch for them as well.

They are costly bulbs but I don't regret spending the extra money for a premium bulb one bit.

On a side note, if you start seeking alternate means (i.e. aside from what I've mentioned) for these bulbs - be careful!...lots of counterfeiting going on with these.

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

I got mine from a GB on HIDplanet back in January. These are pretty hard to find, like John-wrap said, there are a lot of replicas out there so be very careful where you're spending your money. You could probably get a hold of Matt from The Retrofit Source and see when he's hosting another GB or if he could do one for Acurazine. That way I'd feel safe buying these, or you could ask him how to spot a real from a replica.

gogators22

they look so much brighter than mine! I will post a pic when I get a chance.

What is the difference between Osram and 85122+?

john_wrap

Osram 66240CBI: 5000K, 3200lm
Philips 85122+: 4300K, 3400lm

^that...and the Osram's will cost you about $100 more for the pair

gogators22

I think I'll go with the Philips lol

john_wrap

^start searching around for some info and reviews on the two bulbs...i bet you'll come around to wanting the Osram CBI's...they all do

they are some seriously sought after bulbs for a reason...

CesarRod

New to the game also. I bought myself a 08 tl type s black on black. A person i know is trying to sell me a HID kit for my car he said 8000k would look better on my car but i think im more interested in the 6000k which would be brighter well atleast in my opinion. my only problem is he trying to charge me only 75 dollars and if the shop installs them it would be 125. i really think thats a very cheap price and dont even want to put it in my car because of it. i went to www.theretrofitsource.com and buy a set of their Philips 85122+ i want brighter lights with a wider angel. I dont mind paying the extra money if i get the results im looking for. now with my stupid questions if i get the philips bulbs i would just replace the bulb i wouldnt have to install anything correct?

PS. MY GF is starting to hate everyone of you guys since if im not working,sleeping or eating im on the forums reading as much information as i could. I told her acurazine is now family LOL

gogators22

I want whatever makes the 2012 TL lights look so amazing.........you can see into the future they are so bright and cover so much area

john_wrap

The Osram CBI are now stock in Mercedes-Benz E and S class. If you can acquire a part that meets or exceeds expectations on sedans that can venture into the $150k territory...then you should do it.

gogators22

would I be able to notice that much of a difference between those and the Philips?

gogators22

wait, do I have to remove my bumper to install the new bulbs?!??

Guiltyox

Color Chart to help you better understand the temperatures and how they work. This time, ready them and you'll understand just fine :-D.




p.s.- Color Chart is clickable.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

No, cut the wheel or remove the wheel and pull back the fender liner, you can access the bulb.

Is it fun. NOPE. But can be done in under an hour.

gogators22

what wheel? fender liner? is there a DIY for this?

john_wrap

rockstar: isn't there a set screw within this assembly that makes it very difficult to use the method you described? i was aware of this existence of this screw before i began my install and i went ahead to took the 'recommended' approach and removed the bumper and then went at it from there.

also, 'done in under an hour' only applies if you've done it before i'd imagine. i (along with many others) found the HID bulb install to be a P.I.T.A

gogators: here's a link to the entire TL service manual (300MB, 2100+pages). the headlight instructions are in there...enjoy!

link to manual: http://www.nnstudios.com/azine/Acura...e%20Manual.pdf

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

Their is now reason to buy an HID kit for your car. Our Acuras are already equiped with an HID system. If you want, you can upgrade the ballasts and bulbs to a 55 watt system instead of the standard 35 watt; but you may be more prone to bowl damage with the extra heat from the bulbs. People have upgraded the TL projectors with no damage but you will always have the risk of it happening.
What I would do if I were you, buy the Philips 85122+ and the ZKW-r clear lenses and you'll have the best set up available.

JnC

iTrader: (12)

As others have said before me, the TL projectors are one of the best bi-xenon projectors available on the market, but not in stock iteration. Throw in a clear lens such as ZKW-R or authentic ZKW, change the bulbs to Phillips 85122+, Osram 66240 CBI or regular Osram 66240 and resurface the front plastic lenses if necessary to attain the maximum output from your factory set up.

Acuraluvr

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the info. Maybe I'll notice a big difference considering how old my bulbs are. Im surprised that the newer bulbs will be more yellow, I like the bluish tint.

But anyway, when you install, Im guessing you should use gloves too to not get oil on the bulb?

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

The new bulbs will come with alcohol wipes for pre installation. If you're taking the headlight assembly completely out of the car then you shouldn't need gloves, just hold the base of the bulb.

gogators22

What are these clear lenses you speak of? How much would they run me? How hard are they to install? When you say resurface the front plastic, you mean the outside of the headlights, right?

Sorry, I am just debating if it will be worth the price and labor involved to do this, compared to keeping the stock setup I currently have.

I like to look as far ahead as I can when I drive at night, and right now, my lights are only bright on the road for about 20 ft.

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

Have you err looked into adjusting your headlight levels? If you can only see "20'" in front of you they seem like they may not be adjusted right. Doyou have a pic of your headlights aiming down the road like the pic I posted above? If not get one and let us look at it. JnC can do all the resurfacing clear lens swap for a pretty reasonable price, clear lenses I believe run about $40 bought from The Retrofit Source. Bulbs $90 from TRS.

SouthernBoy

If he can only see 20 feet in front of his car, either he is exaggerating one heck of a lot, or his lamps are REALLY aimed badly. My '04 and '05 will project very usable light at least an 1/8th of a mile down the road and more likely closer to 1000'.

gogators22

I will post a pic tonight. I can see about 100ft in front of me when in a yard or something, but when I get on the road, the light doesn't shoe up well. I always compare my brightness/coverage when I drive side by side with another car at night, and usually, mine is not as bright and doesn't cover as much area.

I will try to post a pic tonight

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

Honestly, just buy the bulbs and see what happens, you're going to need them regardless of this issue.