Passenger low beam out...AGAIN!...what to do...
As much as I love this car, I am also a victim of the headlight replacement problem. Despite what some would imply, I don't find dropping that front bumper an easy thing to do (broke a couple of clips the first time). I now have a low beam out on the passenger side...it lasted about a year. The bulbs I put in the last time were not very bright (Sylvania units) and I have to decide what I'm going to use this time. At the point I have the bumper down I'm going to (once again) replace both the low and high beam bulbs. I'd like some more light on the road (lots of deer around here) but don't want to have another one blow within a year...and have to drop that ****ing bumper again. What are my options here for good lights that last? LED's?..I know this has been discussed "at length" but am not going to just stick in some new halogens if they won't last...(I could tape a couple of flashlights on the hood...)...appreciate any advice I can get...
Sorry about the headlights. I replaced mine, both high and low beams but it hasn't really been long enough to tell their true life yet (only in about 3 months).
Good luck with whatever lights you choose. Some would recommend HIDs but I'm not familiar with them or the installation (there is a thread on it though). I don't think LEDs would work so much in the headlight, but again, not my expertise.
Good luck with whatever lights you choose. Some would recommend HIDs but I'm not familiar with them or the installation (there is a thread on it though). I don't think LEDs would work so much in the headlight, but again, not my expertise.
2012 Platinum Silver Kizashi GTS, 6SP
Don't know if you have a left hand or right hand drive car, but if your passenger side is on the right, like in the U.S., you can change that one without removing the bumper rather easily. I've also changed my left side without having to pull the bumper all the way off. Just pulled it down a bit so I could get to the bolts to get the headlight assy out. I also looked at the owner's manual and if you follow the instructions for the left side head light, you can change it if you 1) have small hands and 2) if you have above average dexterity. I tested it and I could get my hand into the back of the light assy. Since the light was working, I didn't attempt to remove it.
Thanks, guys...I just ordered new bulbs. I'll have to deal with lowering that ****ing bumper again. The lights I installed last time are awful...gonna get some bright ones in there this time (Phillips +130%). I've used the Philips Xtreme Vision bulbs in my 'ol minivan and they're still going strong after a couple of years. With all the deer around here I need something that throws some decent light. Hopefully they last awhile...
An HID kit is the way to go for so many reasons. An LED kit will not work for either low or high beams. I have a Morimoto HID kit and am 100% satisfied 1.5 years later. Keep in mind HIDs are about 300% brighter than halogens and will outperform even the very best halogens and even HIR bulbs.
Here's my write-up on the HID kit installation that DesRado was alluding to.
http://kizashiclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=2861
Here's my write-up on the HID kit installation that DesRado was alluding to.
http://kizashiclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=2861
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
The more you pay for the brighter, fancier halogens, the shorter life span they seem to have IMO. Just replace with the standard ones and activate your high beams when needed. My original low beams lasted quite a while, a little over 4 years I think. High beams are still original.
Ron
2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded
)
1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top (
sold)
2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded
) 1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top (
sold)Yup, it's a compromise between brightness and lifespan with halogen bulbs. However, those "X% brighter" bulbs are a gimmick. Expensive, terrible lifespan and the brightness claim is only for one specific spot, not the entire beam.
If you want brighter bulbs, get the Osram Rallye 65w bulbs. They're an H9 filament (2100 vs 1400 lumens) on an H7 base and they can be bought off ebay for cheap ($5/pair).
Otherwise HID kits are good too. A quality kit will have >3100 lumens and last significantly longer than halogens
If you want brighter bulbs, get the Osram Rallye 65w bulbs. They're an H9 filament (2100 vs 1400 lumens) on an H7 base and they can be bought off ebay for cheap ($5/pair).
Otherwise HID kits are good too. A quality kit will have >3100 lumens and last significantly longer than halogens
It's because of the way the LEDs are mounted. LEDs, unlike halogen filaments and even HID bulbs, are mounted to a surface. Hence, these kinds of LEDs are called Surface Mounted Device LEDs (SMD LEDs). This means that each emitter can only emit 180 degrees. While they can work decently in multi-reflector headlights, they are said to be problematic in emitting light properly in projector lenses. Our Kizashis have low beam projectors. In essence, there is a high risk of the LED bulb not having its light refracted and emitted properly by the projector lens of the low beam.ehart814 wrote:Why won't one of the led kits work? I am considering one of the OPT7 led kits for the low beams. They have very good reviews on Amazon. Check them out.
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I've personally consulted VLEDS about this issue when I owned an LED conversion kit in the past. In fact, LED kits don't even make for good high beams and are best as fog lights or low beam headlights in multi-reflector housings.
Now keep in mind that technology is rapidly evolving and there may soon, if not already, be LED conversion kits that work well in projector lenses. However, you really want to do your research ahead of time to make sure the LED kits you get are compatible with projectors. I also personally don't see how LEDs are much better than HIDs as they apply to low beam headlights in our cars. HIDs have a shorter life but don't require bulky cooling fans at the bulb base which makes things complicated.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
Yeah I can see how they might not project perfectly in a projector lens. I ended up buying that opt7 kit for my XL7 which has a reflector housing. The results have been fantastic so far. They really did a perfect job locating the LED chips to replicate the beam pattern of the original halogens.
The lights look amazing and perform even better. I would say the light output is less than the 55 watt hid kit I had in another car, but it is still more than enough. Also, the beam cutoff is just right. You don't blind people! I did not have to adjust them one bit. I can truthfully say that there has been absolutely no compromise with these bulbs.
I wanted LEDs because of the long life reliability. It's a massive pain to change the headlight bulbs in a 2008 xl7.
I highly recommend the opt7 kit for any application with a reflector housing. Maybe these newer kits are designed well enough for projectors??? As Kuro stated tho, I would still think there would be some shadows in the beam.
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The lights look amazing and perform even better. I would say the light output is less than the 55 watt hid kit I had in another car, but it is still more than enough. Also, the beam cutoff is just right. You don't blind people! I did not have to adjust them one bit. I can truthfully say that there has been absolutely no compromise with these bulbs.
I wanted LEDs because of the long life reliability. It's a massive pain to change the headlight bulbs in a 2008 xl7.
I highly recommend the opt7 kit for any application with a reflector housing. Maybe these newer kits are designed well enough for projectors??? As Kuro stated tho, I would still think there would be some shadows in the beam.
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