Halogen headlights

FirstTimer4Me

I have a Vectra 07 plate, standard FF headlights, thinking of changing the headlights to halogen.

If it's as simple as changing the bulbs, my local auto car spares may sell headlight bulbs, or do I require a specialist garage?

enfield_freddy

I would image a Vectra already has halogen headlights , are you thinking of HID lights?

neilmcl

As above, your "standard" headlights will be halogen. Do you want to upgrade the existing halogen bulbs or retrofit HID or LED headlights?

FirstTimer4Me

My car knowledge shows

I've seen halogen lights on cars which look "brighter" than my standard headlights, however, recently, I've noticed some headlights much more effective which give a panoramic view, rather than my standard view.

ShandyAndy_2

They're all halogen nowadays, try Osram Nightbreakers, about the best bulbs you can buy, about £10 ish on ebay for a pair then spend an hour fitting them............modern cars.........argh.

Strider590

FirstTimer4Me wrote: »

I have a Vectra 07 plate, standard FF headlights, thinking of changing the headlights to halogen.

If it's as simple as changing the bulbs, my local auto car spares may sell headlight bulbs, or do I require a specialist garage?

Vectra is well known for having poor headlights......

The problem is they're projection headlights and they have a VERY sharp horizontal cut off line..... On most cars the light feathers out gradually above the cut off line, but on the Vectra it's literally all versus nothing.

Having upgraded bulbs actually makes it worse, it just makes the difference below/above the cut off line even more noticeable.

A lot of owners set the adjuster to position 2 and then physically adjust the alignments to get them level (as though in position 1), that way when set back to position 1, they're actually higher and you can see further. Then for the MOT you set them back down to position 2 and it passes.

Joe_Horner

Strider590 wrote: »

A lot of owners set the adjuster to position 2 and then physically adjust the alignments to get them level (as though in position 1), that way when set back to position 1, they're actually higher and you can see further. Then for the MOT you set them back down to position 2 and it passes.

And, in the meantime, dazzle the crepe out of oncoming cars. There's a reason for the cut-off and it's not just there to pass an MOT!

DUTR

FirstTimer4Me wrote: »

My car knowledge shows

I've seen halogen lights on cars which look "brighter" than my standard headlights, however, recently, I've noticed some headlights much more effective which give a panoramic view, rather than my standard view.

They may look brighter because it is an 8 year old car, and perhaps the headlight lens is frosted and/or the windscreen.

Jonesya

Another brand to consider is Ring Xenon Ultima as they score well in the reviews.

My car has projector type headlines with a sharp cut off and the factory fit bulbs had lasted well (7+ years) but were very dim, the upgraded bulbs made a vast improvement.

I'd considered fitting HIDs but was put off by the issues around them being an MOT failure item if they're after-market without auto level, washers etc. Upgraded halogens seemed less hassle.

Iceweasel

Another vote for the Osram Nightbreakers.

Strider590

Joe_Horner wrote: »

And, in the meantime, dazzle the crepe out of oncoming cars. There's a reason for the cut-off and it's not just there to pass an MOT!

I swear I've been over this before...........

It actually doesn't dazzle oncoming cars, due to the cut off line being so abrupt. Most cars emit light above that line and the MOT test is designed to stop THOSE cars dazzling other road users.