I'm getting my xA today (YEAAAAAAA!). One of the first things I'd like to do to it is change the OEM headlight bulbs to Sylvania SilverStars. What's involved in getting to the bulbs on an xA? Is it simple, or do you have to dismantle half the car? Also, could someone please confirm for me that I need the 9003 bulb? -Thanks.

It took me a good 10 min to do the headlight, the right side was a PITA. But, if you take your time and hopefully have small hands (I do and it still sucked) and not do it at 10pm at night... Your be fine

Cool...thanks. I pick the car up at noon. First stop after that is the local stereo shop for keyless entry. Second stop is Wal-Mart for the SilverStars. 8)

Nice, are you going to get the alarm with the lcd screen? My friend has it and that thing is awesome, wished I picked that up instead of the toyota one.

Changing the bulbs is pretty easy. I did it not too long ago for my Eurodezign Hyperwhite Xenon Krypton bulbs. As TakumiJr said, the right side is more difficult than the left because the fuse box is in the way, but installation is exactly the same.

1) Unclip/remove the wiring that is connected to the housing
2) There is a donut like rubber cover to keep out the elements, remove that
3) There are wire clips that are holding in the bulb. The prongs on the connectors will be greasy, so you might want to clean them off first if you don't wanna get it all over your hands. Unclip the harness by pushing the wires into the bulb, which will release the bulb. Careful, the bulb might fall out so be ready to catch it.
4) Put in your new Silverstars and reverse the process

Be sure not to touch the bulbs with your hands as the oil will create hotspots on the bulb, causing them in the long run to explode or burn out quickly. I just handled my bulbs with clean tissue. The whole process took no more than 10 minutes and most of the time was working in the small space on the right.

9003 is the right bulb. It should be H4 fitting.

Hope that helps and good luck.

Nah...I'm sure it's awesome, but I'm trying to keep everything as cheap as possible. I'm just doing a basic remote keyless entry for $140. That's a LOT less than the dealer wanted, and they give me a lifetime warranty on it.

Changing the bulbs is pretty easy. I did it not too long ago for my Eurodezign Hyperwhite Xenon Krypton bulbs. As TakumiJr said, the right side is more difficult than the left because the fuse box is in the way, but installation is exactly the same.

1) Unclip/remove the wiring that is connected to the housing
2) There is a donut like rubber cover to keep out the elements, remove that
3) There are wire clips that are holding in the bulb. The prongs on the connectors will be greasy, so you might want to clean them off first if you don't wanna get it all over your hands. Unclip the harness by pushing the wires into the bulb, which will release the bulb. Careful, the bulb might fall out so be ready to catch it.
4) Put in your new Silverstars and reverse the process

Be sure not to touch the bulbs with your hands as the oil will create hotspots on the bulb, causing them in the long run to explode or burn out quickly. I just handled my bulbs with clean tissue. The whole process took no more than 10 minutes and most of the time was working in the small space on the right.

9003 is the right bulb. It should be H4 fitting.

Hope that helps and good luck.Awesome...Thanks!

Changing the bulbs is pretty easy. I did it not too long ago for my Eurodezign Hyperwhite Xenon Krypton bulbs. As TakumiJr said, the right side is more difficult than the left because the fuse box is in the way, but installation is exactly the same.

1) Unclip/remove the wiring that is connected to the housing
2) There is a donut like rubber cover to keep out the elements, remove that
3) There are wire clips that are holding in the bulb. The prongs on the connectors will be greasy, so you might want to clean them off first if you don't wanna get it all over your hands. Unclip the harness by pushing the wires into the bulb, which will release the bulb. Careful, the bulb might fall out so be ready to catch it.
4) Put in your new Silverstars and reverse the process

Be sure not to touch the bulbs with your hands as the oil will create hotspots on the bulb, causing them in the long run to explode or burn out quickly. I just handled my bulbs with clean tissue. The whole process took no more than 10 minutes and most of the time was working in the small space on the right.

9003 is the right bulb. It should be H4 fitting.

Hope that helps and good luck.Awesome...Thanks!
just an addition... note the position of the lights when removing them... it'll keep you from fumbling with them, turning them to find how they're keyed

Thanks fireballfish, I forgot to add that. I believe they are usually positioned like this:
__
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I wish there was an easier way to get to the driver's side bulb. . . I'm not happy with my bulbs, but I don't want to deal with the damned process again. I cut my hands up pretty bad, as I have larger hands, and I forced them into that teeny tiny area. . .

i'll do it for cheap cheap

I'd feel like a panzy if I didn't change my own bulb. . . but I am sooo lazy too. . . and cheap. . .

I live life one dollar store at a time.

I thought about removing the fuse box and it would clear up room for the driver side. Does anyone know if that'll work? I think there's only 2 10mm socket bolts on there..

my last pair of silverstar didn't last very long.

How long did they last you?

silverstars aren't nearly as great as people make them seem.

silverstars aren't nearly as great as people make them seem.They aren't HID...that's for sure. If that's what you are expecting from SilverStars, you'll be disapointed. But, they are the best DOT compliant, regular bulb I've seen yet. The won't melt anything, and they are a big improvement over OEM.

silverstars aren't nearly as great as people make them seem.They aren't HID...that's for sure. If that's what you are expecting from SilverStars, you'll be disapointed. But, they are the best DOT compliant, regular bulb I've seen yet. The won't melt anything, and they are a big improvement over OEM.
I went with PIAA 85 watters... I know they're not lawful, but I've yet to have problems with the cops... nobody has flashed their highs at me either. I think they'll last me until I can make some custom Headlights for my car...

how much did you get the PIAA's for and where did you buy them?

How long did they last you?

one blew in 2 month and another one lasted over 4.

I bought Osram Silverstars, which is the same company as Sylivian, but from Germany, but when I saw them, comparing to the stock headlights, I didn't see a very noticeable difference. They seemed slightly whiter, but not much brighter.

Does anyone have any before and after pictures? I'm running on Eurodezign Hyperwhite bulbs right now (DOT approved) and I definetly see a difference in color and clarity.

How long did they last you?

one blew in 2 month and another one lasted over 4.Wow...that's strange. I had SilverStars in my Silverado (Both high and lows) for over two years. They were still fine when I sold it last week. I also have 4 SilverStars in my wifes Buick. They were put in at the same time two years ago and they are still good too.

How long did they last you?

one blew in 2 month and another one lasted over 4.Wow...that's strange. I had SilverStars in my Silverado (Both high and lows) for over two years. They were still fine when I sold it last week. I also have 4 SilverStars in my wifes Buick. They were put in at the same time two years ago and they are still good too.

it was the H1's in my acura. i wrote to them and they did send me some new bulbs for replacement, however i didn't wanna go through the trouble of taking off my headlights and install them again. maybe it was just some random bulbs but i kinda lost faith in that product. never the less their customer service was excellent.

I've got the PIAA GT-X bulbs and smaller hands, but the right side was still a royal pain. Here's a shot:

http://www.clifjohnston.com/images/blog_varad.jpg

I had one silverstar in my xA ($25!!!). It was brighter than stock...but lasted only 3 1/2 months. So no thanks, I'm going back to the eurodezigns and their lifetime replacement warranty. Not as bright, but the color is cool and they look good contrasting with the little 'yellow' parking lights built-in to the xA stock headlights. Cheers.

purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrdy blue

You might want to check out Luminics bulbs:

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=51813
I have the JDM Yellows on my xA and have no complaints...they also make Hyper White and Ultra Violet. There is 15 pages to that thread, lots of peeps have them and are happy. Only $30 w/free shipping and one year warranty

Hey everyone. I just want to make sure that the headlight bulb size is correct with the 9003. I read that someone here said "YES" to 9003 being correct, but in my 2005 xA manual it states the Headlight Bulb size being that of a HB2. Can someone please solve this mystery for me?
Thanks :clap:

9003 = H4 = HB2, so yes, they are the right size.

The European size "H4" bulb has been around for ever, along with H1s, H2s, H3s, I think even H6s for some Porsches. I was using H4s in the Hella headlamps I bought for my Volvo in '84. I think they came up with this 9003 designation so it would fall into line with the other US sizes like 9005, 9006, etc. But it's still an H4. I don't know why they needed to add the HB2 name to the confusion. Cheers.

Thanks all!!!
That settle the confuzion in the manual!
:relief: