Fog Lights Melting

[shutterpro]

I bought these after market fog lights and they are melting the reflectors...=(
anyone know why or have this happen to them?

http://www.automotivelightingusa.com/headlight-bulbs/h8/luminics-titanium-white-h8?cPath=10_23

 

[Rey]

Your fog lights are melting because the aftermarket bulbs produce more heat. I am sure you have noted that many drivers continuously use their fog lights. Generally speaking, the theory of fog lights is to use them only in fog etc conditions. This has been ignored by many drivers who use them continuously everywhere , and manufacturers have dumbed down fog lights accordingly by installing comparatively dim bulbs so that oncoming drivers are not offended. Dim bulbs produce less heat. OEM fog lights are almost useless.
You can increase lighting as you have done, but at the risk of heat melt in continuous use. I have HID bulbs in my fog lights, but rarely turn them on. I use them only on country roads and/or in low visibility conditions, but never in traffic. Previously, I had the aftermarket bulbs like yours. Low and intermittent usage have not melted my lights.

 

[shutterpro]

No where does it say how long you can use your fog lights or not to use them for long periods of time.....=(
Do you think the dealer will cover this under warranty?

 

[yuhaze]

I would say that it doesn't need to say anything anywhere .....
fog lights are for FOG. Why else would they be called FOG lights?

 

[Mark_888]

I bought these after market fog lights and they are melting the reflectors...=(
anyone know why or have this happen to them?

http://www.automotivelightingusa.com/headlight-bulbs/h8/luminics-titanium-white-h8?cPath=10_23

PINGGOLF started a long thread in this forum when the same thing happened to him.

 

[nearwater]

Sorry to hear that.
Exactly the reason why I don't mess with lighting on a car.
I've had my share of issues before. Learned not to mess with it.

Hope you get it resolved.
Try putting in the stock bulb and go to a dealer claiming it happened all of a sudden.

Dan

 

[MrB0462]

No where does it say how long you can use your fog lights or not to use them for long periods of time.....=(
Do you think the dealer will cover this under warranty?

Let me understand - you replaced the stock bulbs with non-OEM and want the dealer/Hyundai to warranty an item not made and/or recommended by them?

The same thing happened when HID headlights came out and people wanted them on their cars. If the distance between the element and lens is too close it will melt the lens.

 

[shutterpro]

I should be able to replace the bulb without it melting the reflector. Bulbs burn out and need replacing. Just because I didn't buy from the dealer doesn't mean I shouldn't have replaced the bulb. That just sounds silly.

Sounds to me like the reflector should be of better material. Should be able to handle lights being on as long as your driving and the lights are on!

 

[nearwater]

I should be able to replace the bulb without it melting the reflector. Bulbs burn out and need replacing. Just because I didn't buy from the dealer doesn't mean I shouldn't have replaced the bulb. That just sounds silly.

Sounds to me like the reflector should be of better material. Should be able to handle lights being on as long as your driving and the lights are on!

I agree that it could've been built sturdier.
A little over-engineering isn't bad for us users.
Either way, those bluish tinted aftermarket bulbs do more harm than good.

Dan

 

[Mark_888]

I agree that it could've been built sturdier.
A little over-engineering isn't bad for us users.
Either way, those bluish tinted aftermarket bulbs do more harm than good.

Dan

Not to mention that you should move more to the yellow/red end of spectrum to see well in fog. Blue/white is exactly the wrong choice for fog.

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[Mark_888]

I should be able to replace the bulb without it melting the reflector. Bulbs burn out and need replacing. Just because I didn't buy from the dealer doesn't mean I shouldn't have replaced the bulb. That just sounds silly.

Sounds to me like the reflector should be of better material. Should be able to handle lights being on as long as your driving and the lights are on!

No one says you have to buy the bulb from the dealer, but it should have the same specs. Apparently yours do not have the same specs as OEM?

I have seen some yellow film mentioned on this forum that can be applied to OEM bulbs that should work fine. As I psoted above, fog lights should be more to the yellow side of the specturm, so if you replacing the OEM ones, I would presume you want more yellow and not less.

I suspect that the reason the reflector is so thin is to save weight on the front end. Hyundai took a lot of care to reduce front end weight as much as possible, including putting the battery in rear, and using aluminum for the hood. Maybe they did over-do it, but you have to be careful about replacing OEM items.

 

[ctrcbob]

Not to mention that you should move more to the yellow/red end of spectrum to see well in fog. Blue/white is exactly the wrong choice for fog.

Ditto.

 

[ctrcbob]

I bought these after market fog lights and they are melting the reflectors...=(
anyone know why or have this happen to them?

http://www.automotivelightingusa.com/headlight-bulbs/h8/luminics-titanium-white-h8?cPath=10_23

The package shown shows they are 35W/110W. (35W draw - 110W output) Too much. Too hot.

The stock Osram bulbs, (made in Germany) which I have right in front of me, only show 35W. No double wattage listed.

The bulbs I have in my car now are 35W/55W. Run much cooler than your
35W/110W bulbs. My 35W/55W bulbs are (Yellow) Nokya Brand, with a color temperature of 2500K. (Hyper Look, Stock Wattage). "Hyper Yellow Operates at 2500K on the Kelvin Scale". Nokya Part Number NOK7623. Any parts store can order them for you. I forget just how much they cost me, but it was around $20.00.

Forgot to mention; I've had NO problems with these Nokya bulbs or with anything melting.

 

[MrB0462]

I should be able to replace the bulb without it melting the reflector. Bulbs burn out and need replacing. Just because I didn't buy from the dealer doesn't mean I shouldn't have replaced the bulb. That just sounds silly.

Sounds to me like the reflector should be of better material. Should be able to handle lights being on as long as your driving and the lights are on!

But they were not replaced with equal power (heat producing bulbs). Since you changed them it's your money for the repair.

 

[Paulroger]

The package shown shows they are 35W/110W. (35W draw - 110W output) Too much. Too hot.

The stock Osram bulbs, (made in Germany) which I have right in front of me, only show 35W. No double wattage listed.

The bulbs I have in my car now are 35W/55W. Run much cooler than your
35W/110W bulbs. My 35W/55W bulbs are (Yellow) Nokya Brand, with a color temperature of 2500K. (Hyper Look, Stock Wattage). "Hyper Yellow Operates at 2500K on the Kelvin Scale". Nokya Part Number NOK7623. Any parts store can order them for you. I forget just how much they cost me, but it was around $20.00.

Forgot to mention; I've had NO problems with these Nokya bulbs or with anything melting.

The question I have is why you replaced the bulbs in the first place. Was it to get better fog lighting with a yellow bulb? In too many cases, I see people replacing their fogs to get another set of headlights which are really blinding.

 

[PINGGOLF]

Hey folks, PING here.

Sorry for your bad luck.

Just so all of you know, I RUN MY LOW BEAMS AND FOGS AT ALL TIMES.

Now for the rant:

Seriously though, why in the world would I care about on coming drivers when my sole intent is for ME to see the road and keep MY family safe. 4 lights are better than 2...especially if there is a chance another car could not see me coming.

Nothing, no books anywhere, or laws say that you can only run your "fog lights" during FOG. My advice for ALL of you, BURN EM...for your own safety.

Here is a lesson I learned in CDL school. If the on coming lights are BLINDING, LOOK AT THE LINE ON THE ROAD TO YOUR RIGHT AND FOLLOW THE LINE. That is one reason why they are reflective and BRIGHT!

Telling someone NOT to run their fogs lights unless its foggy is like asking them to disable their passenger side air bag...even though your wife is sitting there. C'mon, common sense here.

Sorry for the rant, but that strikes me in bad way.

Ok, about the housings, THEY ARE CHEAP and its nothing but a THIN layer of aluminum foil wrapped around the plastic.

I currently have a case # through HYUNDAI about the possibility of a FIRE hazard. NO ONE sells the correct bulbs...even Hyundai. After I replaced my new housings I also replaced the bulbs...through Hyundai service dept, and they were not the same either. The tops of my new housings are bubbled as well.

My advice to you is to POUND Hyundai with your situation and get a case #.

Overheating wire harnesses is one thing...but the housing...that is a defect and poor craftsmanship/engineering.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Paulroger]

Hey folks, PING here.

Sorry for your bad luck.

Just so all of you know, I RUN MY LOW BEAMS AND FOGS AT ALL TIMES.

Now for the rant:

Seriously though, why in the world would I care about on coming drivers when my sole intent is for ME to see the road and keep MY family safe. 4 lights are better than 2...especially if there is a chance another car could not see me coming.

Nothing, no books anywhere, or laws say that you can only run your "fog lights" during FOG. My advice for ALL of you, BURN EM...for your own safety.

Here is a lesson I learned in CDL school. If the on coming lights are BLINDING, LOOK AT THE LINE ON THE ROAD TO YOUR RIGHT AND FOLLOW THE LINE. That is one reason why they are reflective and BRIGHT!

Telling someone NOT to run their fogs lights unless its foggy is like asking them to disable their passenger side air bag...even though your wife is sitting there. C'mon, common sense here.

Sorry for the rant, but that strikes me in bad way.

Ok, about the housings, THEY ARE CHEAP and its nothing but a THIN layer of aluminum foil wrapped around the plastic.

I currently have a case # through HYUNDAI about the possibility of a FIRE hazard. NO ONE sells the correct bulbs...even Hyundai. After I replaced my new housings I also replaced the bulbs...through Hyundai service dept, and they were not the same either. The tops of my new housings are bubbled as well.

My advice to you is to POUND Hyundai with your situation and get a case #.

Overheating wire harnesses is one thing...but the housing...that is a defect and poor craftsmanship/engineering.

Good luck and keep us posted!

I guess I didn't explain myself properly. I am not talking about running factory fogs. I am talking about people that mod them and effectively replace the fogs with another set of headlights.

 

[PINGGOLF]

I guess I didn't explain myself properly. I am not talking about running factory fogs. I am talking about people that mod them and effectively replace the fogs with another set of headlights.

No, you did just fine! I just felt like ranting! HA!

A yellow, purple, blue, pink or green fog light bulb that is the exact same wattage as the OEM equipment as well as size...is not a true "mod."...just a different form of diversity and your odds go up in getting a ticket. (yellow, you wont)

Taking a bulb out and replacing it with HID's is more of a mod and requires a tid bit more common sense.

There are ways of doing the HID retrofit for your fogs THE RIGHT WAY but it takes skill and time...of which many lack.

The good thing about the Genny's fogs are they give off the same glare whether HID or stock bulbs. Trust me, I have stenciled a diagram of dots on my garage wall to check it out. (Needless to say, she didnt care for me that day, but the MAGIC ERASER worked wonders!)

True retrofits can get expensive and really...not worth the hassle...especially if you booger one up.

I find myself laughing at those 4X4's and 1990's civics and accords who add the HID's. Its kinda funny ya know! However, there are a few EXPENSIVE kits out there with a device to separate the low reflector from the high reflector and operates with the dimmer switch. Ive actually played with one and its pretty cool and works amazingly well!

Ok...back on topic...

 

[Mark_888]

A yellow, purple, blue, pink or green fog light bulb that is the exact same wattage as the OEM equipment as well as size...is not a true "mod."...

Wattage is not the only specification that matters for a light bulb (especially in this application). That only tells you about the total power draw. It doesn't tell you about the light output and how much heat is generated. Also, I doubt the specs are 100% accurate anyway.

 

[PINGGOLF]

Wattage is not the only specification that matters for a light bulb (especially in this application). That only tells you about the total power draw. It doesn't tell you about the light output and how much heat is generated. Also, I doubt the specs are 100% accurate anyway.

Yerp, you are correct and i failed to mention that part!

However, a $60 pair of PIAA bulbs are probably more to spec than ones sold at autozone.

With all that being said, this is the FIRST car that I have ever had issues with housings melting...and I have modded my fair share. In fact, in most cases, i would upgrade the wiring harness and install 85w bulbs. Housings NEVER melted.

Lets admit, for the normal nerd who takes his car to autozone, asks the dudes for the correct bulb, they give him the correct bulb based on the sylvainia guide, he replaces it and finds a few weeks later that his housings are melted and then blames autozone who will then blame sylvania who will then blame Hyundai for a POS fog light housing and the normal innocent nerd is stuck with burnt housings on a $42K car. Sylvaina then removes the Genesis from its listing and all of us are stuck buying the same exact bulb at double the price from Hyundai that will also...melt our housings. We then blame Hyundai and after about 3 years hyundai finally sees that there is a problem...but for all of us early owners...well, we are SO of L! That is unless someone's car finally burns to the ground due to the cheap housings. But then, even if the nerds car burnt to the ground, Hyundai will say that he just got a lemon. Screw the rest of them...here's you a new car.

Sucks dont it.

Ha! That was kinda fun!