Car light bulbs??

[Dodger]

Took my Passat for it's 1st long run at the weekend and it drove well but the lights are absolutely crap,in fact they are not that good!!

Now,I had read on the net that folk were moaning about them before I bought the thing but I didn't think they would be that bad but they are like candles!

I am utterly clueless on cars so someone help me out here,is it a simple case of buying some 100 watters like you would to see better in your living room,is there only one bulb in each light etc etc???

As I said I am clueless,I know how to switch the thing on and how to fill it up with diesel but beyond that I need help so any tips,links to bulbs etc would be appreciated!

 

[Lump]

Uprated bulbs are a no no. They are not road legal.

If money is not a worry. Look at PIAA bulbs. You'd be looking at £50-60 for a set of main dipped, but they are the best money can buy.

For lesser money £30-45 look at philips xenon look stuff. Stay away from Osram, they may be well priced but don't last too long.

A HID kit may be a option if you have projector lenses in your headlights (very possible in a passat)

I'll get some links from ebay for you.

 

[madandra]

Al look here. I got some for the wife's VW Beetle as they were psh poor too.


http://www.powerbulbs.com/bulb_finder.as...=648&bulb=6

 

[Region3]

Stupid question, but have you had a look to see if there's a load of muck all over the glass, inside or out?

 

[Dodger]

Yes and there is none,spotless.I do know that surprisingly.

 

[Lump]

PIAA bulbs-
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_t...-All-Categories

Philips- http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=Phili...6.c0.m270.l1313

EDIT:

Thinking outloud here, but are the lights lining up right. They may have been knocked and the beam pattern may be out. Worthwhile getting it checked as lights out of alignment are a MOT failure.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8011
The above might be a option also if the lights are showing some dulling.

 

[chrisd]

I am utterly clueless on cars so someone help me out here,

As I said I am clueless,I know how to switch the thing on and how to fill it up with diesel but beyond that I need help so any tips,links to bulbs etc would be appreciated!

Dodger .... should you really be going out at night??



Chris

 

[grumpyjock]

Took my Passat for it's 1st long run at the weekend and it drove well but the lights are absolutely crap,in fact they are not that good!!

Now,I had read on the net that folk were moaning about them before I bought the thing but I didn't think they would be that bad but they are like candles!

I am utterly clueless on cars so someone help me out here,is it a simple case of buying some 100 watters like you would to see better in your living room,is there only one bulb in each light etc etc???

As I said I am clueless,I know how to switch the thing on and how to fill it up with diesel but beyond that I need help so any tips,links to bulbs etc would be appreciated!

have you taken the sunglasses off?

 

[Aztecs27]

Another thing to check would be to make sure the lights are aligned properly. When I first got my SEAT Toledo, my lights were terrible. Ended up taking it to SEAT and they were completely misaligned. "It's a wonder you could see anything" the bloke said. It also explains why I was getting flashed at all the time by oncoming drivers.

After he'd adjusted them it made the world of difference.

 

[CliveW]

I use PIAA bulbs in my classic car, if you excuse the pun, compared with regular halogen bulbs they are like night and day!

 

[Smiffy]

Uprated bulbs are a no no. They are not road legal.

Correct. But I have been using 100 watters in all of my cars and motorbikes for the past 20 odd years and never been stopped or pulled up at MOT time.
If the headlamps are aligned correctly, no-one will ever know.

 

[grumpyjock]

Uprated bulbs are a no no. They are not road legal.

Correct. But I have been using 100 watters in all of my cars and motorbikes for the past 20 odd years and never been stopped or pulled up at MOT time.
If the headlamps are aligned correctly, no-one will ever know.

too true its only the boys with the blue ones that get pulled.

 

[need_my_wedge]

My Saab was the same, normal headlamps were dull as dishwater, couldn't see the road at all. I uprated mine the other week for Halfords own Extreme Brilliance, massive improvement, have replaced both normal and high beam with these, all lights on gives me a daytime effect They are curently on a buy one get one free deal (£22 for the pair).

 

[USER1999]

Don't know what I have in my Chrysler, but when you turn them on, they flash bright very briefly, then dim, and then get brighter over a few seconds. They sound expensive?

 

[brendy]

I'll be switching to 100 watters shortly as the Impreza headlights are average. The only thing I will be worrying about will be the quality of wires running the lights as they can be prone to melting if you put too much juice down them.

Failing that, these bad boys with HID 6000k's fitted.

 

[viscount17]

I made the mistake of getting the AW bulbs, great in fog and don't dazzle but I need some candlepower to put out to counteract the inconsiderate (expletives deleted) with over-bright lights. It's physically painful some nights.

 

[Smiffy]

My Saab was the same, normal headlamps were dull as dishwater, couldn't see the road at all.

Not a 9.3 was it?
I'm currently driving a 9.3 Estate and on dip beam it is lethal. Main beam is fine, but dipped lights have me guessing. Fecking dangerous for such a safety conscious manufacturer.

 

[Lump]

Don't know what I have in my Chrysler, but when you turn them on, they flash bright very briefly, then dim, and then get brighter over a few seconds. They sound expensive?

Sounds like HID(Xenon lights).

 

[need_my_wedge]

My Saab was the same, normal headlamps were dull as dishwater, couldn't see the road at all.

Not a 9.3 was it?
I'm currently driving a 9.3 Estate and on dip beam it is lethal. Main beam is fine, but dipped lights have me guessing. Fecking dangerous for such a safety conscious manufacturer.

Yep, 2005 9-3 convertible. I drive Milton Keynes to Reading and back every day across the lanes. Total guesswork at times, lucky (I Think?) that I've been doing it for 8 years, so drive on auto pilot a lot of the time. Put the brighter lights in, makes a massive difference

 

[boyzzee]

Dodger

I've had a Passat just over a month and I agree - terrible lights, bloody nightmare.

Currently looking at some new ones so will have a look at what's been suggested