Dave in VA

As most of you know, I purchased my car used and the previous owner installed real blue headlight bulbs and fog light bulbs (along with license plate bulbs). I guess I am getting old but I can see anything with them at night, so I am looking to change them to a more white bulb.

But my big question is why does the Owner manual say bring it to the Dealership to change the low beams. Everything else it tells you how to do, but how to change out the low beam.

Has anyone done this? My car is a 2011 and from what I have found I have a D1S bulb that is an HID lighting. It is an arc source type of lighting available as an upgrade feature in new vehicles from dealers. I really don't care to get shocked if there is a discharge to worry about and would like to know how to discharge the bulb prior to swapping them out.

Thanks for any insight/recommendations,

Dave

overZealous1

don't try to change it while they are on and you should be ok, lol. i can only imagine they want the dealer to change it to charge you $250 to do it.

should be able to remove upper plastic piece by removing push in fasteners. then remove headlight back by twisting cover. move tabs to side holding in bulb, and wiggle out.

Benz-O-Rama

Front bumper has to come off. If you have REALLY small hands, you can do the driver side, but the passenger side is damn near impossible to reach, due to the placement of the SBC pump.

okbarnett

No Way, just take the round cover off, twist. then the bulb has 2 spring metal straps, unlatch from hook. Then pull the box out and unplug connector. Swap out.
You can see anything you have to feel it.
This is tedious job but takes 1/2 hr or so. Dont handle the bulb, use plastic gloves
Pass side is easier than drivers.

okbarnett

Yes they are D1S and you can buy any mfg you find. 5000k matches stock fairly well. I would put in complete pr to match perfectly
I got off ebay for $25 pr

Benz-O-Rama

You've been able to get your hand behind the SBC pump? You're better than me! Getting the cover off, is the easy part. Trying to disconnect/reconnect the ballast to the bulb is the real hard part. Might be that it's just tighter in there on the V12 cars? Here's a pic of mine getting changed. And in the second picture, you can see how tight the black portion of the SBC pump is tucked in there. You need to reach your hand BEHIND that. Impossible.

Dave in VA

Thanks for the input, looks like it might be a bit of a challenge. But at least I know to look for 5000k, D1S bulb, to replace the blue ones that are in there now. I have heard it would be hard to remove the bulb from the ballast. Hopefully since this has been done once, it should be a little easier.

Thanks again.

Dave

mjr24

I don't know if the 2009-2012 models might be a bit different than the 2003-2008 models...so take everyone's posts here with a grain of salt as they mostly have the 2003-2008 models.

I was able to change both on my 2004 (medium sized hands). The passenger one is definitely a PIA and I scraped up my wrist pretty good doing it (I did it a couple summers ago, too, and it took 2 hours to do that side....because as someone said, the hard part is screwing the ballast and rotating locking cap back on).

Dave in VA

Thanks mjr24,

Looking at the front end on my car it appears it will be tight but do-able. My Wife has smaller hands than I do and can be available to help (she is the one who helped me change out the starter on my '76 XJS V-12 Jaguar) so doing a headlight bulb shouldn't be a big deal. I am looking at the 5000K range (Osram Sylvania SilverStar) D1S bulbs, that appear to be the best selection and has the best reviews. $95.92 per bulb on Amazon, which doesn't appear to be too bad of a price.

Again thanks everyone,

Dave