Car Headlights Brightness Upgrade

GarryRJ on 09/03/2024 - 20:44
Last edited 10/03/2024 - 10:54 by 1 other user

Hello everyone, hopefully I don’t get any hate as I do not have anyone who drives in my family so knowledge is hard to gain haha.

I have recently gone from my L’s to P’s, I am wanting to upgrade my headlights as I feel like they're the standard ones and not very bright compared to the ‘white lights’ I see everyone else on the road have.

I have a Ford Focus 2012 Trend, I am not sure what headlights do I buy, Supercheap Auto suggest a few when I put my rego in, but I am just confused.

Any suggestions? I don’t want illegal or too much brightness but would just like better than my current basic ones, that look yellow.

Automotive Car Ford Headlight

Comments

  • ihfree on 09/03/2024 - 21:02
    +3

    Philips X-tremeVision PRO150 would be my recommendation.

    If your headlights have yellowed, you could look into a restoration kit.

    • GarryRJ on 10/03/2024 - 05:51

      hi mate thanks for the suggest!!!
      i restored the headlights about 3-4months ago and it really did make much of a different I even had a shop look at it and they said it was ok i just want something little brighter like my other car

      is it these one https://www.powerbulbs.com/au/product/philips-x-tremevision-…
      how can i confirm if they would fit my vehicle :) thanks

      • ihfree on 10/03/2024 - 07:50

        Most websites will let you check what fits your vehicle. Australian retailers will let you check by entering your cars number plate.

        That said, I would recommended pulling a bulb and confirming.

        Yes, those look to be correct as long as they for your vehicle.

      • HeWhoKnows on 10/03/2024 - 17:19

        Check the current connection.
        If you have a single globe for both low beam and high beam, then its a 3 pin H4 connection

  • closed on 09/03/2024 - 21:06
    +2

    I am due for new globes. The past few sets were Philips White Vision which are a very crisp white and road legal. There is a better newer globe out I am going to try, Philips GT200, which is meant to be better. I don't think it's as white but it puts out more light and both are road legal.

    OSRAM night breakers are also popular, never tried them though.

    Usually the best prices Powerbulbs

    Also try cleaning your headlights, made a huge difference for me on a 2002 car. I was about to replace the globes and decided to clean the lens first, pretty sure there is nothing wrong with the globes and now I can see properly just after the cleaning. Was only about $17 on sale.

    Turtle Wax Headlight Cleaner and Sealant

    Lights - before/after

    • closed on 09/03/2024 - 21:39
      +1

      Just checked pricing and decided to buy some, the GT200 H7 globes are $135-$145 from Autobarn/Repco or $51 from Powerbulbs.

      I've bought globes from them over the years, they are legit. The White Visions I have currently were from them, 7yrs old and approx 30k kms, always drive with headlights on and still very white and bright now that I cleaned the lens.

    • GarryRJ on 10/03/2024 - 05:53

      Hi mate thanks for the suggestion about cleaning the lens, i did it about 3-4months ago and it did not really do much of a different, i am really wanting something similar to my other car!

  • Euphemistic on 09/03/2024 - 21:20
    +2

    Before you upgrade your headlights…

    1. Ensure headlight lens are clean and not cloudy. It does make a difference.
    2. Use high beam when there is no oncoming traffic
    3. Get you eyes checked.

    Upgraded bulbs may appear brighter, but its probaly because they burn hotter and therefore dont last as long.

    • Malik Nasser on 09/03/2024 - 21:54
      +2

      Newer technologies can have brighter lighting for less energy.

    • GarryRJ on 10/03/2024 - 05:49

      Hi mate thanks for these tips but i think i am okay, i cleaned the cleans up maybe 3-4 months ago and it really made no different I then had a shop check it out they said it was ok… i am just wanting something little brighter as my vy I've had for a few years have brighter lights and shine little farer I rather them lights if I am gonna start driving little more at night now i have my P's, my eyes are okay! I did a check in November

      • Euphemistic on 10/03/2024 - 06:00
        +2

        Aussie designed headlights were normally known to be amonst the best in the world until fancy projector lights took over. Ergo, the VY proably just has a better design than the focus.

        Is there a factory 'premium' headlight available for the focus? Maybe wreckers have some of these and you couls upgrade to that. Otherwise, putting in brighter bulbs is polishing a turd.

        But back to my original points, you shouldt really need brighter headlights when on low beam if they are working OK. Use these in street lit areas and use high beam at every opportunity - yes, even built up areas. Maybe add a light bar. I had a light bar on my old 'yellow halogen' car and it really made the difference for high beam

  • Cave Fire on 09/03/2024 - 21:44
    +1

    those white lights are LED or xenon. Might get by with just new bulbs. Maybe try Repco with your make and model. They've been cheaper a lot of times and have clearances.

    • GarryRJ on 10/03/2024 - 05:47

      see mate this is my problem, I put my REGO into REPCO or SUPERCHEAP and they pop up what is useable with my vehicle it just their are a lot of options and i am clueless…. this is why I made a post, I did not really want to go into store and ask and look like an idiot rather look like a fool online

      • Speckled Jim on 10/03/2024 - 09:14

        Check the spec section of the owners manual. Should list every bulb code fitted.
        From my brief check, your main headlight bulbs should be H7.
        Once confirmed, that's all you need to search for!

  • Sye on 09/03/2024 - 21:50

    Headlight fluid has gone yellow, you need to drain the fluid and replace with dot 3 white headlight fluid.

    • MS Paint on 09/03/2024 - 22:03
      +5

      That makes luminescence. Cheers

      ford focus 2012

      Headlights should be the least of OP's issues

    • GarryRJ on 10/03/2024 - 05:43
      +1

      I am sorry, but I am completely lost…. do u have a guide from google u could share ? thank you

    • JIMB0 on 10/03/2024 - 09:44
      +2

      Just make sure it's headlight fluid and not blinker fluid. Blinker fluid is not as bright as it's made to last for more on/off cycles.

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 10/03/2024 - 15:55

        …Unless you buy BMW blinker fluid, not cycled very often, therefore even duller.

  • Oofy Doofy on 09/03/2024 - 22:27
    +5

    Standard bulbs that say "long life/extended life". Brighter bulbs just burn out faster. It's not worth it. I've tried every fancy bulb out there, it's all BS.

    • GarryRJ on 10/03/2024 - 05:46

      even if I got 2-3 years i would be happy with them, I have a VY I've owned for about 5 years the lights are white and shine longer down the road, I do not drive the vehicle much but I would like something very similar to that, I just do not think my current lights on the focus is bright enough

      • Oofy Doofy on 10/03/2024 - 10:31

        Cheap normal bulbs with blue bulb tint to compensate against the natural yellow kelvin. That way you'd at least get your "white light". That'd be my cheap and long life middle ground.

  • bcarp on 09/03/2024 - 23:13
    +1

    OP has correctly mentioned "not illegal" & "not too bright". If your lights are over a certain brightness, you need to have auto levelling lights. Of course, this is unlikely to be built into a car which doesn't come with bright enough lights to start with. So, just be sure to check the brightness of the lights you're putting in & whether your car has auto levelling or not.

    • GarryRJ on 10/03/2024 - 05:42

      thanks for this i did not know their is such a thing as Auto Leveling Lights?

      i am looking for legal lights only and i am pretty sure on the package it says if their for offroad/not approved, i really just want something little brighter then I currently have the oem ones

      my VY has very bright lights i don't know how to explain it, and they cannot be illegal as I've had to get a blue slip twice over the years of owning that vehicle as I let REGO expire and they have not said anything , they are brighter and shine little farther down the road. sadly this is a tuff topic as I have no one really to ask… and I did not want to go into a store looking like an idiot so i rather post online!

  • PinzVidz on 09/03/2024 - 23:38
    +3

    ford focus 2012

    If it's an auto (Powershit), forget about the headlights, sell it.

    • GarryRJ on 10/03/2024 - 04:52

      Yeah sadly it is a Auto i already know they have a Transmission problem trust me i did a lot of research before I made up my mind! it just i had a Fairlane and a VY as my Learner Cars and i just did not like the size of them, so i started barrowing my aunty car which was this Ford Focus 2012 then when she got sick my grandmother wanted to sell the vehicle as a lot of neighbors were trying to buy it so I bought it at a GOOD PRICE, and i pretty much learnt how to drive in the vehicle so i feel comfortable in it

      but never had any issues. aunty was first owner she always had the car serviced little to much I would say i have that many receipts and stuff in the book its a nightmare lol

      I am the 2nd owner has 110k KMS, I've had the vehicle for maybe 2 years now and only drove it about 4-5k KMS, in the time its been serviced Twice, one including a full service for all breaks, etc, then just basic services as car doesn't get driven much but to keep the oils good inside

      i feel like it was a big upgrade from my 218k VY / 320k FAIRLANE, same as the fairlane my aunty took very good care of it and always serviced it way to regularly.

      honestly at the end of the day if something did happen down the road i don't think i would sell it as i have a bond/reason to keep it i feel, she wanted me to keep the Fairlane and do it up but once I explained I rather a smaller car she let me do what I wanted but deep down I know she did not want me to but it was my Choice and I regret selling that all these years later now…

      i feel like if something did happen to it, ill just sell my SS which i do not drive i just let it sit and start it every once in while i got it very cheap 5 years ago, so sellng that or swapping would get me a new Vehicle!

  • pipboy on 10/03/2024 - 01:01
    +1

    Nothing wrong with yellow headlights. If they don’t seem bright look at cleaning or restoring the headlights.

    Legal bulbs that look whiter (eg Philips white vision) have a blue coating over the halogen bulb that reduces overall brightness. Don’t believe the pictures that show them looking like LEDs either, they don’t. They all have way shorter lives than the standard light bulbs to boot.

    • GarryRJ on 10/03/2024 - 04:42
      +1

      thanks for responding, I'm not sure I just feel like their not bright, this is my 2nd vehicle my first vehicle had white lights which I could see farer and was brighter

      this current vehicle just seems to have oem headlights, the headlights where not that bad, i bought Meguiar's Two Step Headlight Restoration Kit, and fixed them up about 3 months or 4 months ago, did not really seem to make a different, it just now i have my P's i feel like i will be traveling alittle more at night time.

      i have been slowly upgrading my car over time headunit, wheels, more stuff inside vehicle, I feel like I am only lacking on the headlights now and I have been wanting to do it since i bought this vehicle!
      even if i got 2-3 years out of these new bulbs i would be more then happy, as its only like $100-150 or something not really much

  • GarryRJ on 10/03/2024 - 05:53

    wow I did not really expect so many responds from people, thanks everyone so far for their suggestions I do appreciate it!

  • Karfaffel on 10/03/2024 - 09:52
    -4

    OP really needs to prioritise English language lessons over spending funds on making the roads less safe with the latest craze of unreasonably bright headlights. Many of the SUV headlights these days -should- be illegal.

    Karfaffel on 10/03/2024 - 09:52 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • ihfree on 10/03/2024 - 09:54
      +1

      OP is driving a focus. That's hardly a SUV.

      As long as they stick with halogen bulbs, they're unlikely to be blinding anyone.

      • Karfaffel on 10/03/2024 - 09:56
        -4

        My post did not imply that OP was driving an SUV.

        • ihfree on 10/03/2024 - 10:14
          +2

          Got it, off-topic rant.

          It might be more be valuable telling OP about HIDs in vehicles that weren't designed for them and their impact on other road users.

    • pegaxs on 10/03/2024 - 10:12
      +1

      OP really needs to prioritise English language lessons…

      And I am sure on your regular holidays to Bali and Thailand, you are 100% proficient in their local languages as well.

      But well done on bringing up something totally off topic and pointless to what OP was asking.

      • Karfaffel on 10/03/2024 - 10:18
        -4

        Oh, is OP here on holiday?
        Well done on focusing on the wrong point and critquing my post with a false comparison.

  • KovinKing on 10/03/2024 - 09:59

    The newer ultra bright headlight bulbs are known to actually damage (cloudy, yellow or brittle) the clear front part of the plastic housing even faster esp. on older cars or cheaper / imports that have less UV stable plastic… the OP will eventually need to replace the whole unit…
    Pro tip: When the sun goes down in the evening, remove your sunglasses when driving… headlights will seem so much brighter…

    • ihfree on 10/03/2024 - 10:01

      Are we talking halogen? Or aftermarket HIDs/LEDs?

  • bobbified on 10/03/2024 - 11:44

    There's an app for that! jks!

    Is it the brightness or could it be the angle the headlight is pointing at?
    My own car's headlights are bright, but they seem to be angled in such a strange way that it doesn't go far into the distance. The dealer has adjusted it a couple of times but can't seem to get it to a position that I'd like it to be.

  • sprocketoctopus on 10/03/2024 - 16:11

    I'd try an aftermarket light bar. QH are what they are, LED's (conversion) would be illegal.

    You can get a mounting kit that fits behind front numberplate.

    HTH

    • mapax on 10/03/2024 - 16:22

      Not going to help if OPs issue is low beam.

  • 2esc on 10/03/2024 - 18:12

    Sometimes the headlights actually need adjusting but you have to be careful to get it right. The headlights have adjustment screws. Your mechanic can also check this.

  • skillet on 11/03/2024 - 12:40
    -1

    Forget about high output filament bulbs they burn out in no time. You can google 'Ford Focus projector HID headlight upgrade'. Your welcome.

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