General Headlight help please

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General Headlight help please

Midlife Crisis

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I have been searching the forum for an answer to this but have just managed to get more confused so apologies that I have had to start a new thread even though this subject has been discussed before:eek:

Maybe it is old age creeping up, but these days I find driving in the dark particularly stressful and am wondering if I can change the bulbs in the 500c to something which will give better visibility as at the moment I just feel uncomfortable that I cannot always see ahead properly. When the lights are on full beam things are OK but with the dipped lights I do find it a struggle at times.

I see that Osram and Phillips bulbs have been discussed but which ones would I need to get just for the dipped beam? Am not bothered about the DRL's or full beam. Also, I assume the dealer is not worth approaching and best thing is to buy bulbs and either fit myself or ask friend who is a mechanic?

In same way, would I also be able to change the bulbs in my old W124 E class Merc? The existing ones are really crap and sometimes wonder if I have forgotten to put them on:D

Thanks so much if you can help as really getting pretty stressed about going out in dark at moment (no streetlights really near me and the motorway is a nightmare) and would be great to find a solution. Am already feeling like an old wreck having to admit I have a problem:)
 
Hello!

I don't know what the lights in the 500 are like but I know where you're coming from.

The headlights in my Saab were rubbish. Must be an age thing as you said.

I changed mine for some extra bright/blue bulbs from Halfords. They were about £15 each but it was bogof. I know they were a bit pricey but I put them in 2 years ago.

I can see much better now, so unless someone can come up with a better plan, I'd go with them.

Hope this helps.
 
The headlamp bulbs are H7 fitment and 55w (I think) so just nip out to Halfords or get some online (Even a cheap place like Aldi sells good ones) then fit them yourself, it takes less than 5 minutes. I did my last ones in Halfords car park in the dark!
 
I have been searching the forum for an answer to this but have just managed to get more confused so apologies that I have had to start a new thread even though this subject has been discussed before:eek:

Maybe it is old age creeping up, but these days I find driving in the dark particularly stressful and am wondering if I can change the bulbs in the 500c to something which will give better visibility as at the moment I just feel uncomfortable that I cannot always see ahead properly. When the lights are on full beam things are OK but with the dipped lights I do find it a struggle at times.

I see that Osram and Phillips bulbs have been discussed but which ones would I need to get just for the dipped beam? Am not bothered about the DRL's or full beam. Also, I assume the dealer is not worth approaching and best thing is to buy bulbs and either fit myself or ask friend who is a mechanic?

In same way, would I also be able to change the bulbs in my old W124 E class Merc? The existing ones are really crap and sometimes wonder if I have forgotten to put them on:D

Thanks so much if you can help as really getting pretty stressed about going out in dark at moment (no streetlights really near me and the motorway is a nightmare) and would be great to find a solution. Am already feeling like an old wreck having to admit I have a problem:)

Have you tried adjusting the dipped beam up using the instrument cluster buttons ?
 
Have you tried adjusting the dipped beam up using the instrument cluster buttons ?

Yes, I have tried this on both the Merc and the Fiat but I don't notice any significant improvement. Thanks for the information about Halford bulbs, especially the size I need to get. I think a trip to Halfords is going on my 'to do' list!
 
In same way, would I also be able to change the bulbs in my old W124 E class Merc?

Before making any changes to an older car it is worthwhile systematically cleaning up all the contacts in the circuit because over the years electrical resistance will have built up. Clean up the contacts on the bulb itself, the fuse for the circuit and the relay(s). The dashboard switch will be fine as it's only operating the relay (unless the Merc uses the same system as my Triumph where the whole current for the headlights passes through the stalk! :eek:).
 
I am looking to replace the headlights on my Fiat 500 - as they are pretty poor. Especially when compared to my other half's car.

Looking at a recent Auto Express roundup they seem to suggest that the Phillips headlights (especially their +80% bulb) are generally the best - with Osram taking second. They do suggest to have the beam pattern checked - to ensure you are not dazzling oncoming traffic.
 
not being rude but have you considered it might not be the car?

do you need glasses or an eye test?

Rude is exactly what you are being.

The 500 headlights are poor compared to many other cars - and there is nothing wrong with wanting to better headlights that illuminate the road better and that are ultimately safer.
 
Rude is exactly what you are being.

The 500 headlights are poor compared to many other cars - and there is nothing wrong with wanting to better headlights that illuminate the road better and that are ultimately safer.
The 500's headlights are fine. What people fail to realise is that your dipped beams are there with the main purpose of making you more visible. In the situation where you have oncoming traffic the standard lights along with the light from other cars should be more than enough for safe motoring and when there's no oncoming traffic you use your high beams.
 
The 500's headlights are fine. What people fail to realise is that your dipped beams are there with the main purpose of making you more visible. In the situation where you have oncoming traffic the standard lights along with the light from other cars should be more than enough for safe motoring and when there's no oncoming traffic you use your high beams.

The 500 has some of the weakest headlights of any car I have driven. This is an opinion that is shared by many people (including others who drive my car on the rural A-roads near my house). Most notably for me is when I am driving my wifes car which has great headlights and then drive my 500 - which has much weaker headlights.

You dismissing other people concerns as because you dont share them, or have no experience to what problems this can cause. Maybe you should either help - or stop critising people?



Might be
 
The 500 has some of the weakest headlights of any car I have driven. This is an opinion that is shared by many people (including others who drive my car on the rural A-roads near my house). Most notably for me is when I am driving my wifes car which has great headlights and then drive my 500 - which has much weaker headlights.

You dismissing other people concerns as because you dont share them, or have no experience to what problems this can cause. Maybe you should either help - or stop critising people?



Might be
I drive on rural roads too and don't have a problem with the 500's lights. People got around with crappy lights in the 50's and 60's and having owned some 70's cars I can comfortably say that the 500 is heaps better.

I have a good idea of the problems that not having properly illumination can cause, I simply don't think that the 500's lights are so poor as to cause a problem. Perhaps you need to slow down if you feel that you wouldn't have time to react to a hazard that your other car would illuminate but the 500 wouldn't.
 
Rude is exactly what you are being.

The 500 headlights are poor compared to many other cars - and there is nothing wrong with wanting to better headlights that illuminate the road better and that are ultimately safer.

i said i wasn't being rude so i wasn't :bang:

the Original Poster (not you Mr Thread hi-jacker) said they thought they might be getting old...

in my experience there is nothing wrong with the headlights - as maxi says use the main beams when you can

also check you haven't got the angle dipped
and that you have actually got the light turned on not just the drls! (rotary knob on lhs steering column)
 
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the Original Poster (not you Mr Thread hi-jacker) said they thought they might be getting old...

I was only being half serious - don't think I am quite ready for the knackers yard yet... By the way, have had eyes tested etc and all fine on that score.

in my experience there is nothing wrong with the headlights - as maxi says use the main beams when you can

I do.

also check you haven't got the angle dipped
and that you have actually got the light turned on not just the drls! (rotary knob on lhs steering column)[/QUOTE]


I might be female but yes, I do have lights turned on;)

Fortunately it doesn't seem to be a problem for some of you but pleased that I, at least, am not the only one who thinks the visibility could be better. Perhaps the problem is also worsened by lack of funding into roads. My real problem is being able to see middle lane markings, especially on country roads and even the motorway in places. There seems a lack of cat's eyes (or at least ones that work) compared to when I was younger (and no that was not 60 years ago:)).

Sorry I have had to edit this with bold and italics but the 'quotes' thing didn't work. Perhaps that is my age too.:p
 
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Fortunately it doesn't seem to be a problem for some of you but pleased that I, at least, am not the only one who thinks the visibility could be better. Perhaps the problem is also worsened by lack of funding into roads. My real problem is being able to see middle lane markings, especially on country roads and even the motorway in places. There seems a lack of cat's eyes (or at least ones that work) compared to when I was younger (and no that was not 60 years ago:)).

Of course visibility could be better but the question is does that actually make things safer or does it just give you the idea that they are? There's a fine balance to be struck also between seeing a lot of the road in front and dazzling oncoming drivers.
 
I can see the point about the lights seeming a bit dim. I'm OK with them as my driving style is a bit banzai, but the OH doesn't like them much.

Compared to other cars they are definitely a bit dim.
 
the Original Poster (not you Mr Thread hi-jacker) said they thought they might be getting old...

I was only being half serious - don't think I am quite ready for the knackers yard yet... By the way, have had eyes tested etc and all fine on that score.

in my experience there is nothing wrong with the headlights - as maxi says use the main beams when you can

I do.

also check you haven't got the angle dipped
and that you have actually got the light turned on not just the drls! (rotary knob on lhs steering column)


I might be female but yes, I do have lights turned on;)

Fortunately it doesn't seem to be a problem for some of you but pleased that I, at least, am not the only one who thinks the visibility could be better. Perhaps the problem is also worsened by lack of funding into roads. My real problem is being able to see middle lane markings, especially on country roads and even the motorway in places. There seems a lack of cat's eyes (or at least ones that work) compared to when I was younger (and no that was not 60 years ago:)).

Sorry I have had to edit this with bold and italics but the 'quotes' thing didn't work. Perhaps that is my age too.:p[/QUOTE]


3 suggestions then:

check the headlights are clean

check they are aligned properly

fit some uprated bulbs
 
I'd say the lights in the 500 are no worse than those in my Ford S-Max and both are significantly better than those in my Triumph and all three are adequate. :cool:

I'd rather have slightly worse visibility than risk dazzling someone, after all I have control over my own actions and know what I'm going to do if I can't see properly (slow down) but I have no idea how oncoming vehicles are going to react to being dazzled.
 
I'd say the lights in the 500 are no worse than those in my Ford S-Max and both are significantly better than those in my Triumph and all three are adequate. :cool:

I'd rather have slightly worse visibility than risk dazzling someone, after all I have control over my own actions and know what I'm going to do if I can't see properly (slow down) but I have no idea how oncoming vehicles are going to react to being dazzled.
Exactly.
 
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