Mk2 headlight bulbs

[Jordan99]

Hi all. Finally did a longish drive at night last night. I’ve just realised how crap my headlights are! Unlit Road, I can only see around 10 meters in front of me! Whats the best type of bulb I can fit to increase how far I can see without fitting hids. Thanks! 

[TomsFocus]

Dipped beam or main beam?  Dipped is usually poor on unlit dual carriageways, but it's a compromise between being able to see and not blinding oncoming cars.  

If you still can't see with main beams, Osram nightbreakers or Phillips extreme are good.

[Jordan99]

Dipped beam, sorry. & are they plug and play? Or will it need an upgraded bulb holder? 

[TomsFocus]

As I say, dipped are always poor at distances so they don't blind other people.  I've got factory HIDs and still can't see anything at 70 on unlit dual carriageways...

 

The bulbs I suggested are plug and play.  

 

[Jordan99]

Brilliant, thank you. I’ll look at getting some tomorrow 😎

[zain611]

I've heard philips xtreme vision are good. They also do a white vision which gives a more whiter light buts gives about 60% more light compared to the 130% more light from the xtreme vision. I have HIDs on my car and I would say you can clearly see the beam pattern on the road however I don't know about the amount of light it throws at a distance; don't really drive a lot in the dark to give a proper opinion. I would say though things which reflect light such as high visibility jackets, cones and signs you can see the light reflecting of them from a distance. 

[Jordan99]

Also what does h7 or h4 actually mean? Other than a massive price difference? The bulb list on this forum does say I need h7 for my dipped beam. 

[andypsp]

h7 or h4 are the type of bulb fittings some have 1, 2 or 3 connectors at the end of the bulb fitting

[Jordan99]

Okay so that’s just the fittment, nothing to do with brightnes, power usage or heat. 

[Ratters]

You should try driving a 46 year old Mk1 Escort in the dark!! May as well have a couple of candles on the front!!! Luckily it's a very rare occurrence!!

 

Sounds stupid.... But have you checked headlight alignment?? 

Dipped is H7

Main is H1

Fog is H8 (?) i think

[Guzzilazz]

Just now, Ratters said:

You should try driving a 46 year old Mk1 Escort in the dark!! May as well have a couple of candles on the front!!! Luckily it's a very rare occurrence!!

 

Sounds stupid.... But have you checked headlight alignment?? 

Dipped is H7

Main is H1

Fog is H8 (?) i think

Pah! Mk 1 Escort! I can trump that with a Honda CD175 with 6V electrics.  A torch strapped to my head would be better!

[Jordan99]

54 minutes ago, Ratters said:

You should try driving a 46 year old Mk1 Escort in the dark!! May as well have a couple of candles on the front!!! Luckily it's a very rare occurrence!!

 

Sounds stupid.... But have you checked headlight alignment?? 

Dipped is H7

Main is H1

Fog is H8 (?) i think

This may sound stupid too but how do I do that 😂

[zain611]

I'd say best way is to take it to a MOT centre so you know it's properly aligned and not blinding anyone. I'd say face the front of the car not too close to a wall with the lights on. The beam shouldn't be above the bonnet. Still best to get it done professionally. 

[Jordan99]

okay that seems pretty simple. Thanks! 

One last question on headlight then I’m done I promise! 

Looking at two different sets. Which is best?? 

https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Ford_Focus_1.6_2005/p/car-parts/car-electrics-and-car-lighting/lighting1/car-bulb/?48177022P&&cc5_847

or

https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Ford_Focus_1.6_2005/p/car-parts/car-electrics-and-car-lighting/lighting1/car-bulb/?48177022Z&0&cc5_847&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIscP7zdi51wIVRDPTCh21kwdQEAQYASABEgLRivD_BwE

[TomsFocus]

It would've been checked at MOT anyway...

Certain testers like to charge you £30 for headlight alignment because it's something you can't really check at home to prove otherwise. 

Remember they are 'dipped' though, they're meant to aim low, full beams are for distance.

[TangoDaz]

Just s thought but have you got the levelling switch in the correct position for normal unlayden position? 

[Guzzilazz]

There are usually adjustment screws  for horizontal and vertical alignment, BUT.....    PLEASE!!!! do not do it without having access to a proper beam checker ( as opposed to measuring marks on a wall).  The bane of driving in winter is people who have adjusted their own lights and proceed to dazzle everyone driving in the opposite direction..

[trailertrash]

11 hours ago, TangoDaz said:

Just s thought but have you got the levelling switch in the correct position for normal unlayden position? 

What he says...

[Jordan99]

18 hours ago, trailertrash said:

What he says...

Which one is ‘normal’? 

[wilto]

Sit in the car on a level unlit road or car park and turn the switch on way or another and you'll see the bulb pattern move up or down accordingly, chose which one is best for your  situation.

[FatHead1979]

Off the top of my head I think "0" is the highest aiming of the settings on a MK2.

[TangoDaz]

yes I think you are right just thought I would mention it as when I have had my car washed at the hand wash (£ 5.00 bargain bucket) they can some time move the switch and you end up with your headlights pointing towards the ground right in front of the car 

[zain611]

3 hours ago, wilto said:

Sit in the car on a level unlit road or car park and turn the switch on way or another and you'll see the bulb pattern move up or down accordingly, chose which one is best for your  situation.

Really it shouldn't shine too far out as it can blind people who's coming towards you. Like I said it's best to get them aligned in the MOT centre. Strangely I had no advisory about my HIDs but I still keep them around 3 and a half. 

 

1 hour ago, TangoDaz said:

yes I think you are right just thought I would mention it as when I have had my car washed at the hand wash (£ 5.00 bargain bucket) they can some time move the switch and you end up with your headlights pointing towards the ground right in front of the car 

I've ended up cleaning the car myself. These hand car wash places wouldn't take as much care. On my previous car I would take it once a month to get it cleaned and after 2 years I could see the heavy swirl marks on the paint in direct sunlight. It takes me around 4 hours to clean it. snow foam, hand wash, finish the paint off with finish spray (use one which removes water spots) and dress the tires. This was a few months ago. The driveway was dirty but pressure washed it. 

[Ratters]

Yeah, you can't really set alignment  yourself exactly at home.... 

 

But parking level facing a wall will give you some indication as to whether the beams are too high/low. Same as something silly like following a workmate home from work, driving towards a mate...... I have a feeling mine are a little high [I've had to replace the passenger unit - driver's hasn't been touched] but I've never been flashed & mates/neighbours etc haven't said anything about it....

[DJ_Andy_M]

16 hours ago, zain611 said:

Really it shouldn't shine too far out as it can blind people who's coming towards you. Like I said it's best to get them aligned in the MOT centre. Strangely I had no advisory about my HIDs but I still keep them around 3 and a half. 

 

I've ended up cleaning the car myself. These hand car wash places wouldn't take as much care. On my previous car I would take it once a month to get it cleaned and after 2 years I could see the heavy swirl marks on the paint in direct sunlight. It takes me around 4 hours to clean it. Snow foam, hand wash, finish the paint off with finish spray (use one which removes water spots) and dress the tires. This was a few months ago. The driveway was dirty but pressure washed it. 

I'm surprised you didn't get a fail or pulled for your HIDs in reflectors tbh. They spray light out like no ones business and blind people. I absolutely hate people who install these bulbs without conforming to the specification required to have these bulbs in the first place.