what should i know before buying Zenon bulbs for my car?

Question

i have a 95 dodge intrepid with really crappy headlights. i saw zenon bulbs on ebay for a decent price, but there are many types. what numbers should i know? i want the super bright foreign style lights (with the blueish tint). what is the 4000k or 7000k mean? what other facts should i know before buying?

Answer 1

4000k is low beam 7000k is high beam

Answer 2

To be honest, your problem most likely isn't your current bulbs, but is the headlight lens themselves. Newer cars that have clear acrylic lenses often become dull, yellowed, or hazy after a period of time.
You can either replace them with new ones, or a body shop can restore them for you. The cost is usually about $20/lens.

What they do: Wet sand the lenses with 1,000 grit sandpaper which removes any scratches, haze, or yellowing. Then, they buff it using 3,000 grit liquid buffing compound, this restores the clarity of the lens, and gives it a brand new crystal clear appearance. Then, they buff ift with polish, which gives it it's final clarity and sparkle, and also removes any remaining swirl marks from the prior step. What you are left with are lenses that are practically good as brand new, at a fraction of the cost. However, there is a down-side. Once they have been restored, you will need to maintain them with regular applications of cleaner wax to keep that crystal clear appearance, as the original clear coating that once protected them from the elements will be gone.

You can still upgrade to the fancy lights, just make sure that you get the same bulb type as required for your car (can be found on one of your old bulbs, should read 9004,9006, or such) As for the designation you referenced, 4,000k, and 7,000k, this refers to the color of the bulb.
9,600k is equal to daylight. The lower the number, the cooler the color (bluer) The "k" references temperature in kelvin

As for blowing if touched, that is correct. Any Halogen, HID, or Xenon buld operates at a much higher temperature than a standard incadecent bulb. The oils from your fingers will cause hot spots on the glass bulb when it is heated, greatly reducing it's lifespan. Never touch the glass part of any Halogen,HID, or Xenon bulb. Always handle it with a Kleenex, or rubber surgical gloves.

Another poster warned that you may find other drivers get offended by them. This also is correct, they tend to blind oncoming traffic even at a low beam. They are extremely annoying if they are in the car behind you also. And as said, you may find that they really offer very little actual improvement over stock headlights.

My perrsonal preference is Sylvania Silver Star headlights. They are by far the brightest,whitest lights I have found. And they are of extremely high quality. They also will interchange with your existing lights with no modifications. You can get them at many auto parts stores.

Answer 3

If these are the HID light like used on many high end cars today (BWM, MB, Jag ect...). You will get no improvement from them because you do not have the power needed to run them in your car. If they are the Sulvania bulbs in the blue pack don't wast your money. I did them for a while They were just blue colored and offered less light output than normal bulbs and did not last but two or three months.

The HID lighting system require a special wiring adapter for provide the high voltage needed to run these lights. While the bulbs might cost $40 the wiring kit will cost form $330 to well over $500.

Answer 4

Those numbers indicate which bulb they are on your car...You have the regular driving low beams and the High Beam lights which are the middle ones...Just to let you know if you want those SUPER Bright foreign style lights. Sorry but you cannot get them with regular light bulbs. They are all halogen filled gas. The only way to get them bright as lexus', mercedez and bmw is to lookinto a kit called...HID (High Intesive Discharge) Regular bulbs for old car like yours is burning at 4200 Degrees and lower...6000 This blue/white then..12000 is prule, blue and 20000 is Gold the brightest ever manufactured. But if you wanan go cheap...go to a local part store and get Silvista ULTA blue...its not blue as mercedez blue but they are bright. Just to let you know the ones on ebay with a blue tint film around them are ****. Don't get them some bulbs like that will cause fire lol. HID is the way to go.

Answer 5

The "k" is the color of the light. For example regular fluorescent tubes would be 3500k or 4100k for Cool White.
Find someone who has em and sit behind the wheel or go for a ride. They look good from the outside but I couldnt see very well with mine and took em out

Answer 6

First off, that it's spelled Xenon, not with a 'z'. Second, wherever you buy them (Auto Parts Store) will tell you what they have in stock for your make/model, and they can tell you what the brightest is. Just ask 'em, it's their job. Third, the numbers you listed (4oook & 7000k) probably refer to the low & hi beam strengths and or color.

Answer 7

Go look at the racks of bulbs and lights at Walmart, Pep Boys, AutoZone, or whatever nifty stores you know about.

Look in their catalogs. Learn about the costs of the traffic tickets you might get where you drive.

Answer 8

Well are your headlights aftermarket or stock?
If stock: Get your car manual, look up the specs on bulbs/replacement.

If aftermarket: Pretty much same deal, but you have to look it up in the manual the headlights came with.

Also, I'd check http://www.xenonlightshid.com can put in your make/model/year and they can give you some idea as to what you need.

Answer 9

You should know the fact that they will really tick off a lot of other drivers, so expect to get bright lights flashed in your face every time you drive at night.

They are really obnoxious.

Answer 10

expensive. hot to touch. do not touch with your bare skin,they will blow!! no lie dude.