Car headlight question - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Prince · 10-03-2004, 04:11 AM

I'm new to American traffic and car regulations and all that, not to mention the 'automotive dictionary', so if I'm not making sense, I apologize.

Basically, our car (Nissan Maxima '96) has rather poor headlights. Visibility at night leaves a lot to be desired. Back in Europe I used to replace my car's (not a Maxima) headlights with halogen lights, as bright as was allowed. I'd like to do the same for this Maxima, here in the States. I live in Texas. If I want the all-time brightest lights for this little car, what sort of lightbulbs should and can I go for? I've looked at some web sites for examples, but I'm not really car savvy enough to know what kind to go with. Some say "High Output", others don't. Some say High Wattage, some Standard Wattage. ANY advice at all would be really welcome.

Also, in Finland (where I am originally from) they are very picky about how the headlights are "aligned". I assume it's the same way here. In order to make sure they're aligned correctly once I put in the new bulbs, should I have them checked out at a shop, and if so how much do they generally charge for something like that?

I just want the road visibility to be as good as possible, because I drive a lot at night due to work, and my eyes aren't really that good when it comes to the dark.

Thank you.

mosha · 10-03-2004, 05:48 AM

From what I have found in the past, there aren't going to be many options on getting brighter bulbs without converting to HID or something.

For the most part there are bulbs out there that will produce a whiter light than stock, something like SilverStars. These will not have as much of a yellowish tint to them and are said to improve visibility. I personally have not tried them so I can not testify to the validity of that statement.

Chosing a bulb with a higher wattage will put you headlight wiring at risk. Higher wattage may cause melting of the wires from over heating. Some bulbs claim to have "80 watt output" from a 55 watt bulb, but that just seems like a marketing ploy if you ask me.

As for aligning the bulbs, I have never heard of this being a problem unless your in an accident or something. I have had to align my headlights after an accident but did it myself. I knew which one was off and which hadn't been affected. I then pulled close to a wall and adjusted until the one that was "off" shined at the same height as the "normal" one.

Prince · 10-04-2004, 08:48 PM

I've been told about some Xenon or whatever lightbulbs...but also that they are illegal in the States. Is this true?

merkerguitars · 10-04-2004, 09:19 PM

Well here's what I've learned about lights.....pretty much any bulbs you find at wal-mart and auto parts stores are perfectly legal boxes...the xenon and other white light bulbs are brighter and you will know a difference. The laws in the state I live in, Wisconsin you can't go over the factory wattage, but if you buy higher wattage bulbs they will be lots and lots brighter...but then can melt wiring like people have said, but will be illegal.

MSD · 10-05-2004, 01:25 PM

I switched my '97 Buick over to Sylvania Cool Blue (bought at Walmart) from the ones that were in there, and my visibility range is almost six times what it was. Silver Star lights are even brighter than Cool Blue, but cost $20 a piece. I aligned my own headlights by using a pair of needlenose pliers to turn the adjusters. Just park in a garage facing the door, three feet away, and measure from the floor to the top of the light assembly. The low beam lights should have a distinctive line at the top of the field of light projected on the door. Adjust the lights until this line is 1/8 inch below the height of the top of the headlights when parked three feet away. If you want to get really technical about it, you want them pointed down at an angle of 4 to 6 degrees. Here in the US, most places don't care about how they're angled, and there are no restrictions on what bulbs you can use.

10-03-2004, 04:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
Prince /nɑndəsˈkrɪpt/ Location: LV-426	Car headlight question I'm new to American traffic and car regulations and all that, not to mention the 'automotive dictionary', so if I'm not making sense, I apologize. Basically, our car (Nissan Maxima '96) has rather poor headlights. Visibility at night leaves a lot to be desired. Back in Europe I used to replace my car's (not a Maxima) headlights with halogen lights, as bright as was allowed. I'd like to do the same for this Maxima, here in the States. I live in Texas. If I want the all-time brightest lights for this little car, what sort of lightbulbs should and can I go for? I've looked at some web sites for examples, but I'm not really car savvy enough to know what kind to go with. Some say "High Output", others don't. Some say High Wattage, some Standard Wattage. ANY advice at all would be really welcome. Also, in Finland (where I am originally from) they are very picky about how the headlights are "aligned". I assume it's the same way here. In order to make sure they're aligned correctly once I put in the new bulbs, should I have them checked out at a shop, and if so how much do they generally charge for something like that? I just want the road visibility to be as good as possible, because I drive a lot at night due to work, and my eyes aren't really that good when it comes to the dark. Thank you. __________________ Who is John Galt?

10-04-2004, 08:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Prince /nɑndəsˈkrɪpt/ Location: LV-426	I've been told about some Xenon or whatever lightbulbs...but also that they are illegal in the States. Is this true? __________________ Who is John Galt?

10-04-2004, 09:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Well here's what I've learned about lights.....pretty much any bulbs you find at wal-mart and auto parts stores are perfectly legal boxes...the xenon and other white light bulbs are brighter and you will know a difference. The laws in the state I live in, Wisconsin you can't go over the factory wattage, but if you buy higher wattage bulbs they will be lots and lots brighter...but then can melt wiring like people have said, but will be illegal. __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

10-03-2004, 05:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
mosha Crazy Location: Htown, NJ	From what I have found in the past, there aren't going to be many options on getting brighter bulbs without converting to HID or something. For the most part there are bulbs out there that will produce a whiter light than stock, something like SilverStars. These will not have as much of a yellowish tint to them and are said to improve visibility. I personally have not tried them so I can not testify to the validity of that statement. Chosing a bulb with a higher wattage will put you headlight wiring at risk. Higher wattage may cause melting of the wires from over heating. Some bulbs claim to have "80 watt output" from a 55 watt bulb, but that just seems like a marketing ploy if you ask me. As for aligning the bulbs, I have never heard of this being a problem unless your in an accident or something. I have had to align my headlights after an accident but did it myself. I knew which one was off and which hadn't been affected. I then pulled close to a wall and adjusted until the one that was "off" shined at the same height as the "normal" one.

10-05-2004, 01:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	I switched my '97 Buick over to Sylvania Cool Blue (bought at Walmart) from the ones that were in there, and my visibility range is almost six times what it was. Silver Star lights are even brighter than Cool Blue, but cost $20 a piece. I aligned my own headlights by using a pair of needlenose pliers to turn the adjusters. Just park in a garage facing the door, three feet away, and measure from the floor to the top of the light assembly. The low beam lights should have a distinctive line at the top of the field of light projected on the door. Adjust the lights until this line is 1/8 inch below the height of the top of the headlights when parked three feet away. If you want to get really technical about it, you want them pointed down at an angle of 4 to 6 degrees. Here in the US, most places don't care about how they're angled, and there are no restrictions on what bulbs you can use.