ford escape headlights too dim

[jasonsmaglites]

im trying to hook up a friends escape for her. i drove her car home from a mall the other night and the low beams were just pathetic. high beams were about 5x as bright. i guess they get used more than the highs and have just plain wore out. what do you guys recommend for a replacement. i wouldn't mind adding a few watts onto the stock light while we're at it, tim taylor style :twothumbs how do i do that?

 

[Ken_McE]

It wouldn't hurt to measure what voltage you're getting at the bulb, check if the wiring's adequate.

 

[Random Guy]

If it has long life halogens in the headlights, that is entirely possible. I believe the Escape takes a H4 (9003) lamp. High efficacy versions this are readily available. Look at Candlepower (no relation to this forum) for options.

 

[Burgess]

to Random_Guy --


Thank you for that interesting Link.


:thumbsup:
_

 

[Kremer]

I picked up a set of the Philips Xtreme power in 9007 about 2 weeks ago for my car, so far I am quite impressed with them. They are the first ones listed in that link above.

 

[JohnR66]

Same old song and dance.

1) Get higher performance bulbs. Philips Extreme Power are the best but expensive. Higher wattage can damage the reflectors and connectors.

2) Upgrade the wiring to the headlamps using a heavier guage wire.

3) Avoid the blue tinted bulbs. They claim more light but it is not true. It is a gimmick.

 

[smokinbasser]

I just bought a set of the Phillips silverstar ultras for my explorer and was amazed at the improved light coverage on a nighttime drive, if you go to their website they point out that headlights dim over time and it is not noticeable till you install new units. It might be marketing to an extent but I will be replacing wayyy more frequently from now on.

 

[-Virgil-]

There's no such bulb as Philips Silverstar Ultra. Silverstar Ultra is a Sylvania bulb, and it's just another blue glass "whiter light" scam that puts out less light, has a ridiculously short life span, and costs far too much.

There is no "improved light coverage" from Silverstar Ultra or any other blue-glass "whiter light" bulb. Colored glass can only reduce the amount of light reaching the road; it cannot increase or improve it. The "improvement" you think you are seeing is an optical illusion. Put some real (non-scam, clear glass) bulbs in and you'll immediately see what I (and others in this thread and many others) are talking about.