The Complete Low Down in HIDs
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From: Wantagh, NY
The Complete Low Down in HIDs
I always see questions on HIDs. Here the end-all questions guide.
Color Temp: This is the k rating on the bulbs (Ex 4300k, 6000k). Factory vehicles with HIDs come equipped with either 4100k or 4300k bulbs. Going higher from there gives off a blueish (6000k-8000k) to purpleish color (10000k +). Going lower will give off a yellowish color. Even though the number is higher, anything higher than 4300k will put off less light. If your going for performance, go 4300k. For looks, I guess thats a preference thing.
Bulb Sizes: No OEM bulb will fit in to factory non-HID housings without modification. The easiest way to find HID kits that are plug and play is to find ones that have rebased bulbs. These bulbs are usually OEM and have a new base put on them to fit standard housing sizes (9006, 9007, H1, ect). The tC comes with 9006 for low beams. Some bulbs may be manufactured with standard bulb sizes, but usually found in aftermarket kits.
Reflector and Projector Housings: This usually applies to rebased bulbs. A D2R bulb is designed to be used in vehicles that have standard reflector housings (not projectors) such as the 2001-2003 Acura 3.2TL and the Lexus IS300. D2S bulbs are designed for vehicles with projector housings.
OEM of Aftermarket?: For me, OEM. I don't trust HIDs from aftermarket companies since most are unknown imports from China and they're too expensive to risk. Denso, Philips, HELLA (I don't believe OEM, but high quality) are trustworthy names. I have Denso ballasts from Toyota with rebased Philips bulbs.
Installation: Most HID kits are plug-and-play. Some require splicing wires. Either way, DO NOT USE PLUG-AND-PLAY. Not to say don't buy plau-and-play. But, don't hook up the power and ground to the factory wiring harness. Why? Because, although they only draw 35w, upon startup they draw a much larger current and it's not safe on the factory wiring. What about the fuse? Won't that prevent a short? Even so, there is still a small chance of burning out the wiring or the switch. And if that happens, your dealer will welcome your wallet with open arms. I suggest, as I did myself, run the power through a relay. This way the lights themselves don't draw off of the factory wire. If you don't know how to use a relay, Google it.
Legalities: For some dumb reason HIDs on cars that do not have them as OE are illegal. I don't care what you say (unless you have something to prove it), they are not DOT approved UNLESS they are the DOT approved kits from HELLA. Even when they say legal. They are not. I have seen the documents that say they're illegal. HIDs are not legal on cars that do not have them as origional equipment.
You may or may not have noticed the fact that I did not mention the size of the high beam bulb. There is a reason for that. I don't know it off hand. Other than that, and more importantly, do not use HIDs for high beams. Why? Because HIDs take 30-60 seconds to warm up and a lot of power to turn on and it's very bad for them to be turned on and off rapidly. And unless you are planning on driving with your high beams (you jackass), your just going to ruin them. What about cars that have high beam HIDs factory? Those are called bi-xenon. It's actually one bulb with a glass over it that aims the beam downward and when the highs are on, the glass lifts and the beam is redirected upward.
Sad to say, I've done a lot (I mean A LOT) of research on HIDs. There are a lot of myths. Trust this guide. It will do you well. With that said (and here comes the kicker), I am not at all responsible for anything that goes wrong with your HIDs. This is simply a guide to help you out. Don't blame me. But feel free to ask questions. This was put together during my Chinese class. I may be missing something. And, if anything here is incorrect, please say so. Hope this helps someone. Cause I'm probably going to fail my class because of it.
Color Temp: This is the k rating on the bulbs (Ex 4300k, 6000k). Factory vehicles with HIDs come equipped with either 4100k or 4300k bulbs. Going higher from there gives off a blueish (6000k-8000k) to purpleish color (10000k +). Going lower will give off a yellowish color. Even though the number is higher, anything higher than 4300k will put off less light. If your going for performance, go 4300k. For looks, I guess thats a preference thing.
Bulb Sizes: No OEM bulb will fit in to factory non-HID housings without modification. The easiest way to find HID kits that are plug and play is to find ones that have rebased bulbs. These bulbs are usually OEM and have a new base put on them to fit standard housing sizes (9006, 9007, H1, ect). The tC comes with 9006 for low beams. Some bulbs may be manufactured with standard bulb sizes, but usually found in aftermarket kits.
Reflector and Projector Housings: This usually applies to rebased bulbs. A D2R bulb is designed to be used in vehicles that have standard reflector housings (not projectors) such as the 2001-2003 Acura 3.2TL and the Lexus IS300. D2S bulbs are designed for vehicles with projector housings.
OEM of Aftermarket?: For me, OEM. I don't trust HIDs from aftermarket companies since most are unknown imports from China and they're too expensive to risk. Denso, Philips, HELLA (I don't believe OEM, but high quality) are trustworthy names. I have Denso ballasts from Toyota with rebased Philips bulbs.
Installation: Most HID kits are plug-and-play. Some require splicing wires. Either way, DO NOT USE PLUG-AND-PLAY. Not to say don't buy plau-and-play. But, don't hook up the power and ground to the factory wiring harness. Why? Because, although they only draw 35w, upon startup they draw a much larger current and it's not safe on the factory wiring. What about the fuse? Won't that prevent a short? Even so, there is still a small chance of burning out the wiring or the switch. And if that happens, your dealer will welcome your wallet with open arms. I suggest, as I did myself, run the power through a relay. This way the lights themselves don't draw off of the factory wire. If you don't know how to use a relay, Google it.
Legalities: For some dumb reason HIDs on cars that do not have them as OE are illegal. I don't care what you say (unless you have something to prove it), they are not DOT approved UNLESS they are the DOT approved kits from HELLA. Even when they say legal. They are not. I have seen the documents that say they're illegal. HIDs are not legal on cars that do not have them as origional equipment.
You may or may not have noticed the fact that I did not mention the size of the high beam bulb. There is a reason for that. I don't know it off hand. Other than that, and more importantly, do not use HIDs for high beams. Why? Because HIDs take 30-60 seconds to warm up and a lot of power to turn on and it's very bad for them to be turned on and off rapidly. And unless you are planning on driving with your high beams (you jackass), your just going to ruin them. What about cars that have high beam HIDs factory? Those are called bi-xenon. It's actually one bulb with a glass over it that aims the beam downward and when the highs are on, the glass lifts and the beam is redirected upward.
Sad to say, I've done a lot (I mean A LOT) of research on HIDs. There are a lot of myths. Trust this guide. It will do you well. With that said (and here comes the kicker), I am not at all responsible for anything that goes wrong with your HIDs. This is simply a guide to help you out. Don't blame me. But feel free to ask questions. This was put together during my Chinese class. I may be missing something. And, if anything here is incorrect, please say so. Hope this helps someone. Cause I'm probably going to fail my class because of it.
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Originally Posted by SquallLHeart
of course we do...well it still helped :D
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I buy cheap Chinese made HID kits and never had a problem with them.. and they perform just like any Philips kit i've seen ;)
Perhaps just luck on my part, but the whole HID thing is hit or miss on any car, just make sure you buy your kit from a reputable seller who will honor warranty with a smile and don't look back.
I went with 6000k, and I feel they are a bit too blue for me, prolly should have went 5000~K. Cops haven't bothered me yet, though.
Jay
Perhaps just luck on my part, but the whole HID thing is hit or miss on any car, just make sure you buy your kit from a reputable seller who will honor warranty with a smile and don't look back.
I went with 6000k, and I feel they are a bit too blue for me, prolly should have went 5000~K. Cops haven't bothered me yet, though.
Jay
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