Mpunk

Stupid question, considering I have an '05, but are our headlamps bi-xenons? I've always assumed that they were, considering the G35 didn't get them until the '07 redesign, and could've sworn that the TL had them from the '04 MY. Even in classifieds they list them as being bi-xenons. But I had a conversation with a tech when I was lamenting the fact that the '09 TLs have only low-beam xenons, he said that no Acura has had them - ever. Not the TL, the RL or MDX.

So I tried this out in my parking garage and while I didn't notice the characteristic "crackle" when I put the high-beams on, the light is still bluish-white and none of that yellowy crap from regular halogens. I know that the low-beam xenons remain on and that the hi-beams supplement it but I can't tell.

Who's right? And if they really are low beam xenons only, has anyone done the conversion to bi-xenons?

crbnfbr

iTrader: (1)

Yes, the TL does have bi-xenons. There is a "shutter" inside the light that raises when you hit the high beams.

voidtrance

I am not sure about the 04 MY but I know that my 08 has bi-xenon lights. Both high and low beams are HIDs.

gerzand

iTrader: (3)

That guy at the dealer was wrong. All 3G TL's from '04 to '08 have Bi-Xenons.

playa4real

iTrader: (3)

yup..i actually just noticed that my sisters RDX doesn't. its highs are halogens

Mpunk

That was what I thought! And this was from my service advisor at Acura who told me this!

ayabei

Props to the invention of Bi-Xenons!

Sardo17

Anyone at a dealer is an idiot. I had to teach the guy who sold me my car how to work the bluetooth.

csmeance

I think the TL is the only acura with bi-Xenon headlamps

SQAcuraTL04

Not even the RL?

RC51Ryder

Wow, I learn something new almost every day about this car.

JnC

iTrader: (12)

No.

Also the fog light for the 04-06 models is not actually a fog light but its an auxiliary low beam, once you turn it on it actually works in conjunction with the rest of the mean and creates a beam pattern that's wider than the one that the low beam projectors produces on it's own.

sixsixfour

3Gs are bi-xenons, 4G's arent.

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

really???

Distorted Reality

Hmm didn't know that, good to know.

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

i just checked the acura website, it sure does look like bi-xeons to me...just one headlight on each side that looks just like the one on my car...the inners are drl's and the outers are xeons....

timmahh

Yeah.. I like the bi-xenons

But as someone pointed out, the flashing feature on the 3G requires that the xenons fire up everytime you do it; if the lights are already on no biggy, if not, then its additional use/wear and tear on the ballasts/ignitors; halogens are cheaper to replace!!

ttribe

Are you really flashing THAT many people?

rotaryboy

Bi-xenon or not....they suck. Or is it just me. Dang the halogens in my Pilot have more output.

Will Y.

Just you.
The TL's HIDs are much brighter and better than the halogens on our Odyssey.

What is the problem you are experiencing- is it the sharp cutoff, are the lights aimed incorrectly or maybe both?

csmeance

Thats why the TL's projectors are sought after for HID conversions..... The TL has one of the best projectors on the market. Couple it with a clear lense and you have one of the brightest and sharpest headlights around. I'd bet you headlights are mis-aimed.

jnc2000

or he may have a +6000k bulb. If you have a bluish / purple light you are actually loosing luminosity.

Mpunk

+1. Acura/Honda makes one of the best HID lighting around. Lightwerkz makes aftermarket retrofits using HIDs from the TSX with projectors from the Infiniti FX (they call it "TFX" lights) and puts them on E46 M3s.

http://lightwerkz.net/prod_bmw.htm

Mpunk

Nope, the '09 TLs are low-beam xenons and high beam halogens. The xenons in the outer lamps are for low-beam only and the lights closest to the grille are for the halogen DRLs, which double in intensity for the high beams. Talk about going backwards...

http://www.hondanews.com/categories/735/releases/4678

Acura TL Exterior Features:

Mpunk

Oh, and when I was asking the Acura service advisor about the bi-xenons, after he told me that "no acura has ever had bi-xenons - EVER," he asked me "Why would you need bi-xenons for? When would you ever use them?" That's kind of like asking a potential car buyer "Why would you ever need 305 hp? When would you need to use all of that power?" lol.

My question is when the hell would you ever need doppler radar to tell you what the weather was like outside your car?

BLACKURA_NY

iTrader: (6)

all bi-xenons means, is its one bulb. the shutter opens up when you flash, so there is no constant igniting of the bulbs.

the TL headlight is a beautiful one... i really need to do some crazy sh*t one day to my headlights... put some Lexus LX470/LS460 projectors in there

but some of the most common used projectors for retro-fitting, are TL, TSX & FX

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

One of the amazing things when this car came to market were the bi-xenons. They were once only available for Mercedes and Porsche (and at $1500!) and now here they were STANDARD on an entry-level luxury car. Unheard of at the time. Bi-xenons have become more widespread now, but they are STILL optional on even some high-end cars.

If the 4G went back to halogen-highs that SUCKS! What are they thinking? What are they saving by doing that? They took touch-screen nav away too. I guess it's all too "2003" for them. Guess I am an old fashioned guy.

BTW your conversation with the tech proves once again what I have said so many times. This has happened to me so many times at the dealer. They talk so cocky like "I have been doing this 12 yrs etc. I know everything, you know nothing mister" attitude. Issues with insecurity I guess. Before an argument ensues I smile, walk away knowing I'm right. Let them think they're right, I don't care. You can get all the real info here on AZine.

Oh yeah and doppler is crazy cool! I'd use it....(Not to know what is outside the car of course but to know where the storm is on a long trip.)

shubysingh

By Bi-xenon, im guessin it means both the high and low are xenons, right?
Does the 09 atleast have HIDs for its lows?

timmahh

Yes, Bi-Xenons mean there is a single ballast that ignites, when you flip the switch for high beams a shutter in the projector housing opens and allows more light to pass through at a higher degree

Blackura - unless your lights are already on they ignite everytime you flash your high beams

The 09 TL has Xenons for low-beam only; high beams are back to halogens as mentioned above

sixsixfour

thanks for verifying on paper.

i found out when i took the pictures of the 09 TL at the release last week at Tustin Acura. one customer turned on the high beams when i was focusing on the nose of the car, and sure enough, the center halogens lit up when he flipped the stalk.

rotaryboy

The width and cutoff are great but I just have no depth. I re-aimed with little improvement. Perhaps the bulbs are going as my car is 5 years old and I drive with them on at all times.

rotaryboy

Right...and we put ZKW lenses from a BMW 330i in our housing when we send them to JnC for clearing/custom work. I still think mine are weak...for some reason. I gotta drive another TL at night.

Sunnybwoy1

iTrader: (3)

perfect for this Question im thinking of getting some orginal ZKW lens is it worth it or replica is just the same cause i know they are pricey but would they make a big difference from what i have on now which is stock? cause i have a option to get a set for $165 or should i just use the whole BMW projector will that work?

carlos9827

iTrader: (2)

Cooool! Just another reason to be happy with my 3G