Headlights upgrade?

[Simjag]

Hi all,

One thing that I don't like about my jag is the headlights, I find the dipped beams very poor. I have changed the bulbs to upgraded ones which claim to be 50% brighter but they still are not very good.

I also go through loads of screen wash by using the power wash all the time.

Just wish all S types came with xenons as std.

Is then any other way to improve them?

I understand that you can't fit after market xenon kits to these headlights as the bulbs need different pattern of light.

Thanks.

[Russ68]

Hi Simon,

Mine were also shocking, which was largely down to them pointing about 6' in front of the car and also having clouded polycarbonate lenses. I did the lenses with the 3M kit, changed to Osram Nightbreakers and adjusted the elevation to where they should be and now they're great, some of the best I've had on any car. On my 2001 you can adjust with a big 8mm allen key, but I understand later models have an auto adjust that drops and needs more difficult remedial action. 

You can get HID kits based on replacement bulbs which may be worth a look before considering the expense of replacing the entire units, but standard units with improved bulbs, set up properly, work quite well ;)

Hope this helps, Russ

[Raistlin]

The big problem with fitting HID burners in standard headlight units is, of course, the focussing properties of the headlight lens. They are not designed to suit HID and therefore cause scattering of the HID light which in turn will probably make you very unpopular with drivers coming towards you at night

 

In addition, the headlight lens may not be capable of dissipating the extra heat generated by HID bulbs.

 

Just a thought :)

 

Simon, the powerwash is related to the screenwash so not sure how you're using more because of the headlights?

[Russ68]

Sounds like good advise that, my knowledge of the HID's hadn't gone much further than seeing them listed and considering them for my MGF, which also has poor lighting. Other than working out that one doesn't need the higher spectrum blue light so beloved by the boy racer fraternity with HID's (c6K give a white light similar to standard). I'll be giving the Bulb based HID kits a wide berth after the concerns that Paul has highlighted ;)

[Raistlin]

Russ,

It mght be that HID bulbs will not cause dazzle or heat damage in your car. The only way to be sure would be to try it and see. I have, perhaps been too general in my previous post above.

However, I will say that such problems have been reported many times iin other car fora.

I know from personal experience that exactly those problems existed in my Rover 75 because I tried the kits, only to be almost constantly flashed by other road users and seeing my headlight lenses begin to distort owing to heat damage. Perversely, the lenses also reduced the light output of the HID bulbs as well.

[Russ68]

Hey Paul,

Being that we both know Osram Nightbreakers provide a reasonable upgrade over standard bulbs, and that Xenon is available for our S-Types, I think we can negate cheapo HID kit's as an option if they've already proved problematic. So I'm sure you're right ;)

Cheers, Russ

[Simjag]

2 hours ago, Raistlin said:

The big problem with fitting HID burners in standard headlight units is, of course, the focussing properties of the headlight lens. They are not designed to suit HID and therefore cause scattering of the HID light which in turn will probably make you very unpopular with drivers coming towards you at night

 

In addition, the headlight lens may not be capable of dissipating the extra heat generated by HID bulbs.

 

Just a thought :)

 

Simon, the powerwash is related to the screenwash so not sure how you're using more because of the headlights?

What's the same as I understand about HID light kits, so it's a no-go for me.

I use the screen wash/wipers alot to make sure the headlights are keep clean.

Thanks.