car head lights

[johndeeregreg]

not really tractor related, but transportation yes

i have an 06 chrysler sebring and im not real impressed with the brightness of the head lights at night. has anyone used those hid kits and are they worth 130 plus dollars? or any other options to make them brighter?

if i hold the high/low beam switch back when switching from high to low i think it has both beams on at that time, then it isnt so bad, but i dont want to make the bulbs hot and burn them out or something, and im not going to drive holding the switch back all the time either.
 

[JDPHIL]

I had the same problem with my dodge pickup I got new bulbs at walmart SILVERSTARS saw them advertised on TV they are brighter.
 

[rustyfarmall]

Had the same problem on the '08 Equinox we just got rid of. I couldn't find any fault with the brightness, it's just that the light did not project out far enough. I don't think changing the bulbs would have made any difference. I think it is just a very poor design of the lens and reflectors inside the lights. We traded that Equinox for a '12 Silverado, and the difference in the headlights is literally night and day.
 

[the tractor vet]

Myself i was never impressed with the headlights on our 03 Durango , when the one headlight burnt out i went to get a new bulb and instead of the STOCK bulb i went with the Silver Stars and change both . Then i took it out on a back road and readjusted them Now you can see better then you could see on high beam with the stock bulbs and you do not blind the other guy on low beams , when on high OH MY will they light up the road.
 

[Brad Buchanan]

Hey Greg.

Cars and trucks are limited in the wattage that is allowed in headlights. Anything more than 55 watts is not allowed.

From what I have seen most of those 'special' and expensive bulbs are just a different color i.e. white or bluish and tend to bounce back fog or snow at the driver while blinding oncoming traffic.

You might try the old motorcycle trick with a pair of diodes. The idea is to wire the diode between the high and low beam wires. If installed right this allows low beam to function normally and when high beam is selected both filaments burn.

We used to pry the diodes out of a junk alternator but I'm sure you could get them from an electronic supply house or Radio Shack.

Brad
 

[JimEvans]

I have done that with my 04 Chevy pickup. $1 worth of diodes from Radio shack and now when I turn on the brights, the fog lights, high beams and low beams all come on at the same time.
 

[johndeeregreg]

thats a good idea, never thought of using a diode. did you just splice it in on the wires at the bulb or is there a better place/way to do it?
 

[IAtractorKid]

I have been using the Silvania Silverstar Ultras and they are significantly better than stock. Stay away from colored lights, you can look up all the info and color charts online but humans see best with white light. Also, do not concern yourself soo much with the kelvin rating of lights, you are interested in lumens...the higher the better.

I have a friend that just bought a cheap set of HID headlights and he said it was the best thing he has ever done to his truck. He says they are amazing and well worth the money! Im waiting for my current bulbs to burn out and then I will be switching to HID as well.
 

[Cliff Nelson]

If it has plastic lenses for the headlights look closely at them for being cloudy/not clear anymore. Wife had a car with a dull look to the lenses. Didn't matter how good the bulbs were the light couldn't get out of the lens. New lenses made a big difference. My work truck with glass sealed beams gives the best light of any of our vehicles.
 

[JimEvans]

[scotc]

I wasn't impressed with the silverstars. Now the Sylvania Extravisions, I really like.