Very poor headlights

[ren531]

Our 2013 Fiat has very poor headlights, nothing amiss clear lense and clean reflector , I've been given some more powerful bulbs 80/100w the current ones are 55/60w ,, but there are concerns about it blowing fuses . Has anyone tried this what's the general consensus about doing this.

 

[Drago]

It's illegal for a start...

 

[biggs682]

The other thing we use to do back in the day was to wire the dip beam in via a relay so they came on when main beam was selected.

And yes I know it won't help you with poor dip beam lighting.

Just pop the more powerful bulbs in and see what difference they make ?

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Everyone's 2013 Fiat has terrible dipped beams. Ask me how I know (2013 Panda 4x4)

Being serious, yes the canbus on these seems very sensitive and to blow bulbs for fun* I've never seen anything like it. I'd stick some Philips or Osram extra bright but legal bulbs in and drive within their limits, not much else to be done.

*Oh and melt the contacts on the (very expensive) bulb holders

 

[fossyant]

As has been said, illegal to start, but the potential for heat damage is high, and expensive. I'd go take a look for Osram/Ring/Philips 'plus' style bulbs. They are much better and run a bit brighter, but are legal. They don't last as long, but do make a difference to poor lights. Often you can get them on a deal.

 

[the_mikey]

I wouldn't install '100W' bulbs, it's not only illegal but could blow fuses, damage the wiring or start a fire. You can buy 'brighter' bulbs, but they're compromised in terms of lifespan since they're changing the specification of the tungsten filament in some way so it's hotter and therefore brighter without consuming more power, but this leads to failure sooner than a standard halogen lamp.

 

[Bristolian]

Our 2013 Fiat has very poor headlights, nothing amiss clear lense and clean reflector , I've been given some more powerful bulbs 80/100w the current ones are 55/60w ,, but there are concerns about it blowing fuses . Has anyone tried this what's the general consensus about doing this.

I'd be more worried about it frying the cables on a Fiat. As a company they are not renowned for their electrical designs.

I was at Royal Portbury Docks several years ago when a line of Fiat Stilo cars self ignited - twas a mess

 

[ren531]

It's illegal for a start...

Is it ,that I didn't know, but was something I was concerned about.

 

[ren531]

Everyone's 2013 Fiat has terrible dipped beams. Ask me how I know (2013 Panda 4x4)

Being serious, yes the canbus on these seems very sensitive and to blow bulbs for fun* I've never seen anything like it. I'd stick some Philips or Osram extra bright but legal bulbs in and drive within their limits, not much else to be done.

*Oh and melt the contacts on the (very expensive) bulb holders

Yes I've ordered some Phillips bulbs of the correct wattage that promise better lights , this seems a better idea than the ones I've been given.

 

[ren531]

As has been said, illegal to start, but the potential for heat damage is high, and expensive. I'd go take a look for Osram/Ring/Philips 'plus' style bulbs. They are much better and run a bit brighter, but are legal. They don't last as long, but do make a difference to poor lights. Often you can get them on a deal.

Got some Phillips plus on order, sounds like they will work for me, I don't drive much at all and even less in the dark but I have a event I must drive to coming up that's all unlit country roads so any improvement above the awful lighting it has will be a bonus.

 

[Gunk]

Check the adjustment, our Citigo had terrible lights, I upgraded the bulbs and also realised that they were on the lowest setting

 

[ren531]

Check the adjustment, our Citigo had terrible lights, I upgraded the bulbs and also realised that they were on the lowest setting

It has adjustable load leveling to alter the height, I've tried different levels but it makes no real difference.
Hopefully the upgraded bulbs will do it.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Install four candles for an upgrade. Two is dipped, and four main beam.

 

[Gunk]

I fitted these in our Skoda Citigo, definitely much brighter. They are also the correct Wattage

 

[fossyant]

I find the higher quality bulbs do have a tighter focus, improving the output.