Members J. Posted September 30, 2008 Members Share Posted September 30, 2008 My girlfriend has a 1995 Geo Prizm. She likes the car for the most part, but she thinks the headlights are way too dim. I took a look at it, and the headlights seem fine - if it was my car I wouldn't think twice about it. The wiring is fine and everything works, it's just that an old little car's headlights can't compare to some of the newer cars that have lights that burn with the intensity of a thousand suns. She's a terrible driver, and I think better lighting *might* help her just a little bit when she's driving at night. Anyway, I have a few solutions. I wonder if they make aftermarket headlight lenses. I know that her car has those diffused/textured plastic lenses, whereas many new cars have clear plastic. I don't know if this is an option. Most importantly, are there any replacement bulbs that would really amp up the brightness? I've looked at a bunch in the store, but since every maker touts their headlamp bulbs as the brightest thing ever, it's hard to know what to believe. Any suggestions? Also, I have a 1998 Chevy Prizm, which is essentially the next redesign of the 95-97 Prizm. The headlights on my car are the same as hers in terms of brightness, which is fine with me. I guess I'm just looking for simple aftermarket 'improvements' for her vehicle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members slapthefunkyfour Posted September 30, 2008 Members Share Posted September 30, 2008 Go look at these. I've used the cool blue ones before in all of my vehicles. I know the silverstar ones are brighter, i just could never afford them at the time. They definitely help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members J. Posted September 30, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 30, 2008 Cool. I've seen those at Wal*Mart. Are those brighter than those Xenon bulbs everyone is trying to push? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members driverhasabomb Posted September 30, 2008 Members Share Posted September 30, 2008 Every time I see someone with those ultra bright "asshole headlights" I seriously consider delivering them a nice head-on collision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GreaserMatt Posted September 30, 2008 Members Share Posted September 30, 2008 I only know about the old stuff.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 82Daion Posted September 30, 2008 Members Share Posted September 30, 2008 Are her headlight lenses plastic? Are they cloudy or fogged? It can make an incredible difference (if they are) if you replace them with fresh, clear ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members slapthefunkyfour Posted September 30, 2008 Members Share Posted September 30, 2008 Are her headlight lenses plastic? Are they cloudy or fogged?It can make an incredible difference (if they are) if you replace them with fresh, clear ones. Yes. If they are cloudy, a buffer and some cleaner wax will take the cloudiness right off. just don't buff too hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members J. Posted October 1, 2008 Author Members Share Posted October 1, 2008 Okay, I think I'll do both. I can recount the results here if/when she decided to get it done. What exactly would I use to clean the lenses? What exactly is cleaner wax, and could I the little buffer wheels on my dremel tool? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fretless Posted October 1, 2008 Members Share Posted October 1, 2008 The super brights can get super hot and melt the plastic covers even the bulb itself , I recommend what ever the manual suggest . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members J. Posted October 1, 2008 Author Members Share Posted October 1, 2008 The super brights can get super hot and melt the plastic covers even the bulb itself , I recommend what ever the manual suggest . . Holy crap that would suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 82Daion Posted October 1, 2008 Members Share Posted October 1, 2008 Okay, I think I'll do both. I can recount the results here if/when she decided to get it done. What exactly would I use to clean the lenses? What exactly is cleaner wax, and could I the little buffer wheels on my dremel tool? Cleaner wax contains a polishing compound that buffs out the fog. A Dremel might work, but use a soft wheel and keep the speed low or you'll buff right through the lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members HoldingThsMoment Posted October 1, 2008 Members Share Posted October 1, 2008 I would highly recommend Osram SilverStar lights... not the Sylvania ones. The Sylvania ones are okay but they really are just more white... not necessarily brighter. The brightest lights you will get are HID (high intensity discharge, aka "xenon") lights that come factory in BMW, Audi, Benz, etc. It is not a good idea to put those 'kits' in cars not factory equipped with them as the reflectors are not designed to reflect the light - aka they turn into 'asshole lights' as previously mentioned. For the best information you could possibly find, check out: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/ Email him, talk to him, he will point you in the right direction and get you what you need. Avoid the autozone/walmart stuff because it really is just an illusion when it comes to 'better' lighting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ec437 Posted October 1, 2008 Members Share Posted October 1, 2008 I installed 4 Hella european-spec motorcycle headlights on my car and I think I used hella bulbs also. My car has the brightest headlights I have ever seen on any vehicle, and amazing beam distribution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Zon5string Posted October 1, 2008 Members Share Posted October 1, 2008 I would highly recommend Osram SilverStar lights... not the Sylvania ones. The Sylvania ones are okay but they really are just more white... not necessarily brighter. The brightest lights you will get are HID (high intensity discharge, aka "xenon") lights that come factory in BMW, Audi, Benz, etc. It is not a good idea to put those 'kits' in cars not factory equipped with them as the reflectors are not designed to reflect the light - aka they turn into 'asshole lights' as previously mentioned. For the best information you could possibly find, check out:http://www.danielsternlighting.com/Email him, talk to him, he will point you in the right direction and get you what you need. Avoid the autozone/walmart stuff because it really is just an illusion when it comes to 'better' lighting. Best advice yet. I completely forgot about that guy. He knows everything about car headlights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members J. Posted October 1, 2008 Author Members Share Posted October 1, 2008 Thanks for all the advice guys. My girl was over last night so I looked at her car again. The lenses over her turn signals are a little foggy, but her headlight lenses are still clear. Her stock headlights are fine, so I don't really see the problem (I took yet another good long look at them last night, and I've ridden in her car numerous times), but we all know how women are. I think she wants something unattainable. Heck, half the time she drives around with her brights on, in the city. Anyway, I emailed that Daniel Stern guy for his opinion. I'm thinking I might get some replacement bulbs for just a little more brightness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fretless Posted October 1, 2008 Members Share Posted October 1, 2008 Thanks for all the advice guys. My girl was over last night so I looked at her car again. The lenses over her turn signals are a little foggy, but her headlight lenses are still clear. Her stock headlights are fine, so I don't really see the problem (I took yet another good long look at them last night, and I've ridden in her car numerous times), but we all know how women are. I think she wants something unattainable. Heck, half the time she drives around with her brights on, in the city. Anyway, I emailed that Daniel Stern guy for his opinion. I'm thinking I might get some replacement bulbs for just a little more brightness. this may have been mentioned but make sure they are adjusted properly , if they are too low or shooting off to the side , they won't be on the road where they should be , you can do this by parking in front of a wall and making sure they are even and straight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chunky-b Posted October 1, 2008 Members Share Posted October 1, 2008 this may have been mentioned but make sure they are adjusted properly , if they are too low or shooting off to the side , they won't be on the road where they should be , you can do this by parking in front of a wall and making sure they are even and straight +1 Way too many people on the road do not know that headlights require aiming and adjustment and can get bumped out of direction... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hawkhuff Posted October 1, 2008 Members Share Posted October 1, 2008 I bet if they make the brighter lights for that particular model car the heat won't be an issue. I've never seen any of those lights melt a lens. Not to say it wouldn't happen but I've never seen it. It won't improve her driving though. Being more confident with brighter lights might just make her more dnagerous. Some of the most dangerous drivers I see on the road here in Maryland and the DC area lately are females. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hearafter Posted October 1, 2008 Members Share Posted October 1, 2008 I opened this thread expecting to see pics of chicks with their "high-beams" on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members J. Posted October 1, 2008 Author Members Share Posted October 1, 2008 They seem to be aimed straight, at least up against the straight back of a truck. I can check again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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