Low beam replacement for halogen lights

[Svionttm]

I have a 2013 sedan with premium only. What is the solution for the crappy halogen low beams? Can just changing bulbs help at all? Do I need an HID kit? Which one, stock or after market?

 

[TerryJ]

According to Daniel Stern lighting, an automotive lighting consultant and supplier the best solution is an allegedly easy modification to the bulb seat (connector) combined with a different and slightly modified bulb There's a good pictorial guide at http://www.Genesis Coupe.com/diy-do-yourself/96522-diy-h11b-h11-conversion.html.

Once you make that bulb seat conversion the best bulb choice is an H9 bulb which is 2100 lumen versus 1350 lumen for the stock H11B bulb that hyundai is putting in many of their vehicles including our Genesis sedans. No other manufacturer has seen fit to using this bulb in any of their vehicles. The H9 bulb can sometimes be found by looking for the high beam replacement bulb for a 2008 Chevy malibu. You may need to shave a small ridge of plastic off the H9 bulb's connector so that your newly modified bulb seat (connector) will snap on. Use a good brand (GE, Philips, Osram-Sylvania, Narva or Flosser) and stick to colorless clear bulbs, not any kind of "whiter light" bulb such as the Sylvania Silver Star scam.

The only disadvantage is shorter low beam bulb life —the H11's are optimised for very long life with relatively modest light output, while the H9 is optimised for very high output with relatively short life. Note that the H9 swap is not universal; it works well in projector-type low beams but is not safe in most reflector-type low beams or in fog lamps of any type.

Most of what I've written above is copied straight from my response from Daniel Stern lighting response to my inquiry for our Genesis and Sonata sedans both of which use this worthless H11B bulb for low beams.

I already purchased 6 of these bulbs from Amazon in a Philips H9 standard version at about $7 or$8 per bulb. I have not done the modifications yet as I plan to either have my mechanic or my car stereo guy do that for me.

I have actually contacted his website for all 3 of our vehicles to inquire about lighting upgrades if and when possible. He is the best source I have found for determining when and if there is a reasonable upgrade for any vehicles light bulbs. He even had a suggestion for my Sienna Minivan's back up lights.

 

[NJTom]

This is very interesting article and I would like to read more about what was said in that article but the link doesn't seem to work. Can you please confirm it was written correct. Thanks.

 

[brfatal]

Confirmed. Common mod on late model Subarus.

 

[ChaoticTies]

With a bit of searching for various genesis forums, I found the correct link.

It should be "Gen(ignore this text)Coupe" not "Genesiscoupe"

www.Gen(no space - forum autocorrect)Coupe.com/diy-do-yourself/96522-diy-h11b-h11-conversion.html

 

[TerryJ]

Low beam replacement for 2013 halogen headlights

At the risk of stirring up more questions and tech issues than I'll know what to do with I am pleased to say that this past weekend I made the very simple plunge with this needed low beam headlight upgrade. I didn't actually do the work myself. A good friend of mine who is an expert in all things automotive and electrical came over and did this simple modification for me on both my low beam headlight bulbs.

I replaced the H11 bulbs that came stock with a pair of H9's from phillips ($8 each on amazon). As posted previously these are the high beam bulbs that fit the 2008 chevy malibu.

I've driven the car twice at night since then and I'll have to say the difference in illumination is quite noticable. It truly is like driving with my high beam headlights on now but without any oncoming cars flashing their brights at me.

I'm absolutely thrilled with the results especially considering how ridiculously cheap this upgrade was compared to most of the other options I read of on here.

 

[amartz]

I have a 2013 sedan with premium only. What is the solution for the crappy halogen low beams? Can just changing bulbs help at all? Do I need an HID kit? Which one, stock or after market?

I had good results by simply aiming the headlight assemblies a little higher. They were aimed too low from the factory for me.

 

[Svionttm]

How do you adjust the lights up or down?

 

[RonJ]

^ what he asked.

 

[amartz]

How do you adjust the lights up or down?

You need a long Phillips screwdriver, about a foot, foot and a half long. If you open the hood, there are adjusting holes on the top of the headlight assembly, one for up and down, one for right and left. It adjusts the entire headlight assembly. With a flashlight, you can peek down a corner of the cover panel and see the adjuster mechanism turning. I had the tech guy at the dealer show me, and I bought a similar screwdriver. If you can't find the adjust holes, I could see if I can grab a couple pictures. This is on a 2012 3.8 sedan.

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[RonJ]

What number Phillips screwdriver?

Thanks, RonJ

 

[amartz]

What number Phillips screwdriver?

Thanks, RonJ

The screwdriver doesn't have a size on it, but it's what I would call an average household size point. Just a little longer.

 

[ShadowZ]

it is PH2, i use a deep point.

Also, on my 09 4.6, I have H11 and just cut the tab on the H9 bulb so it would slide on the factory harness. I do not have H11b in my lights. Who has H11b? Did it vary by year because everyone here seems to say H11b.