2010-2014 Mustang Information on The S197 {GenII}

Headlight Bulbs

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11/22/16 | 09:58 PM
  #1  
Josh13mustanggt's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: November 4, 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, California
Headlight Bulbs

What is everyone using for headlight bulbs besides the OEM bulbs? I can't see at night so I need something bright. Got a set of the Silverstar bulbs and those are not much better. I did not realize that changing these bulbs are such a pain, especially on the passenger side. There is no room over there to see and you have to unscrew the little screw that holds the bulb in.


When I had my Camaro I found some cheap lights on Ebay that worked great. I can't seem to find the same ones for the Mustang.
Old 11/22/16 | 10:47 PM
  #2  
ElkGroveFordGuy's Avatar
Mach 1 Member
 
Joined: February 3, 2014
Posts: 877
Likes: 43
From: Elk Grove, CA
What year mustang do you have?
Do you have the factory HID bulbs?
Old 11/22/16 | 10:49 PM
  #3  
Josh13mustanggt's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: November 4, 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, California
I have a 2013. As far as I know they are the factory bulbs (D3S).
Old 11/23/16 | 05:29 AM
  #4  
David Young's Avatar
legacy Tms Member MEMORIAL Rest In Peace 10/06/2021
 
Joined: September 16, 2009
Posts: 3,377
Likes: 125
From: Clinton Tennessee
I paid $525 for my factory option HID headlights on my 2011. HID headlights are standard from the factory on all 2013-2014 Mustangs
Old 11/23/16 | 10:32 AM
  #5  
5.M0NSTER's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: August 2, 2013
Posts: 3,090
Likes: 254
From: Little north of Stuttgart, Germany
Wait, you have HIDs and can't see at night??? Something is off. Are the headlights pointing too high or too low? I have factory lights on my '14 and they are some of the best lights I've ever had.
Old 11/23/16 | 11:27 AM
  #6  
Joeywhat's Avatar
Cobra R Member
 
Joined: February 6, 2014
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 41
From: Motor City
You won't get brighter lights unless you upgrade the ballasts as well.

Not sure how the stock HID bulbs aren't enough... Any brighter and they'll burn the retinas of anyone in front of you.
Old 11/23/16 | 02:06 PM
  #7  
David Young's Avatar
legacy Tms Member MEMORIAL Rest In Peace 10/06/2021
 
Joined: September 16, 2009
Posts: 3,377
Likes: 125
From: Clinton Tennessee
He said he replaced his bulbs with 'silverstar bulbs' and the light output didn't get much better I told him once he needs to run his VIN to see what he has. He's having all kinds of problems
Old 11/23/16 | 03:08 PM
  #8  
HOSS429's Avatar
legacy Tms Member
 
Joined: January 27, 2007
Posts: 4,428
Likes: 160
From: alerbamer
i dont know if they are anything like my toyota but you can put the bulbs in wrong and lose brightness .. mine can go in 3 ways but only one is correct ...
Old 11/24/16 | 09:57 PM
  #9  
Josh13mustanggt's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: November 4, 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, California
Originally Posted by 5.M0NSTER
Wait, you have HIDs and can't see at night??? Something is off. Are the headlights pointing too high or too low? I have factory lights on my '14 and they are some of the best lights I've ever had.


I am just blind at night lol. Need something just a little brighter then the stock lights.
Old 11/24/16 | 10:01 PM
  #10  
Josh13mustanggt's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: November 4, 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, California
Originally Posted by David Young
He said he replaced his bulbs with 'silverstar bulbs' and the light output didn't get much better I told him once he needs to run his VIN to see what he has. He's having all kinds of problems


Where would I run the VIN and what will it tell me? I don't remember you recommending that. I'm not having a lot of problems. Nothing wrong with the headlights, I just want something brighter. I did post about a noise when turning. That has since been fixed, it was a loose bolt somewhere up there. Brought it to a shop for them to check out.
Old 11/24/16 | 10:02 PM
  #11  
Josh13mustanggt's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: November 4, 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, California
These are the headlights I took out of the car. I will be putting them back in.
Attached Thumbnails Headlight Bulbs-20161124_152330.jpg  
Old 11/25/16 | 07:38 AM
  #12  
David Young's Avatar
legacy Tms Member MEMORIAL Rest In Peace 10/06/2021
 
Joined: September 16, 2009
Posts: 3,377
Likes: 125
From: Clinton Tennessee
Were the silverstar bulbs something like 2 for $40? Even from American Muscle the factory HID bulbs are almost $400 for 1 bulb. The reason I tell you to run your VIN number is to see if your Mustang was a lemon buy back or even been in a flood it will tell you the history. Your local Ford dealer should be able to do this for you. They are probably somewhere on line you can check it yourself. I'm not being a wise butt to you, I'm being a wise butt to whoever sold you your Mustang

Last edited by David Young; 11/25/16 at 07:40 AM.
Old 11/25/16 | 09:17 PM
  #13  
Josh13mustanggt's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: November 4, 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, California
Originally Posted by David Young
Were the silverstar bulbs something like 2 for $40? Even from American Muscle the factory HID bulbs are almost $400 for 1 bulb. The reason I tell you to run your VIN number is to see if your Mustang was a lemon buy back or even been in a flood it will tell you the history. Your local Ford dealer should be able to do this for you. They are probably somewhere on line you can check it yourself. I'm not being a wise butt to you, I'm being a wise butt to whoever sold you your Mustang


Got you. I did get a car fax with the car and then went to the dealership with my VIN to see if any warranty work has ever been done and when my factory warranty ended. Everything checked out, the car only has 24,000 miles on it. The way the car was setup when I bought it leads me to believe a younger person was driving it and the parents set restrictions on it. Overall, the car has been great. I am just very particular with my cars and want everything perfect. Working out the little kinks now and then the power adders will start!!!
Old 11/25/16 | 10:38 PM
  #14  
TheReaper's Avatar
Cobra Member
 
Joined: August 27, 2007
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 26
From: Southern Al
Originally Posted by Josh13mustanggt
Got you. I did get a car fax with the car and then went to the dealership with my VIN to see if any warranty work has ever been done and when my factory warranty ended. Everything checked out, the car only has 24,000 miles on it. The way the car was setup when I bought it leads me to believe a younger person was driving it and the parents set restrictions on it. Overall, the car has been great. I am just very particular with my cars and want everything perfect. Working out the little kinks now and then the power adders will start!!!
You still have a Drive Train warranty.
Old 11/26/16 | 01:10 AM
  #15  
Joeywhat's Avatar
Cobra R Member
 
Joined: February 6, 2014
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 41
From: Motor City
Silverstars are garbage. Worse than OEM.

Seriously, you can't get brighter without changing the ballasts. They are most likely 35 watt right now, and you can't just toss in a brighter (55w) bulb. In most cases, 55 watt bulbs are VERY bright and you'll **** off everyone in front of you.
Old 11/29/16 | 07:22 AM
  #16  
JonsMustang's Avatar
Bullitt Member
 
Joined: August 4, 2015
Posts: 222
Likes: 5
From: Chicago
You need D3S bulbs. I'm running a set of Morimoto's D3S at 6000K. Been on there for over 1.5 years now. No issues and I like the tint of blue.
Old 12/7/16 | 03:58 PM
  #17  
FromZto5's Avatar
I Have No Life
 
Joined: September 24, 2011
Posts: 10,141
Likes: 172
^ yes... Silverstars are crap. They may make "HID" bulbs, but they are poor. You truly get what you pay for. For ALL my vehicles, I run OSRAM's. Hands-down, the best HID bulbs out there. True, I paid more for these...significantly more than your $40 Silverstars, but trust me, they are WORTH it.

http://www.xenondepot.com/d3s-cbi-66...p/66340cbi.htm

But yes, it is no surprise you are having visibility issues at night with your current setup. Those are terrible. Sorry.
Old 12/7/16 | 07:32 PM
  #18  
TheReaper's Avatar
Cobra Member
 
Joined: August 27, 2007
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 26
From: Southern Al
Originally Posted by FromZto5
^ yes... Silverstars are crap. They may make "HID" bulbs, but they are poor. You truly get what you pay for. For ALL my vehicles, I run OSRAM's. Hands-down, the best HID bulbs out there. True, I paid more for these...significantly more than your $40 Silverstars, but trust me, they are WORTH it.

http://www.xenondepot.com/d3s-cbi-66...p/66340cbi.htm

But yes, it is no surprise you are having visibility issues at night with your current setup. Those are terrible. Sorry.
FYI.......I'm pretty sure that Osram makes Silver-stars and all the HID's for Ford. SilverStar® ULTRA

Last edited by TheReaper; 12/7/16 at 07:35 PM.
Old 12/8/16 | 08:16 AM
  #19  
Joeywhat's Avatar
Cobra R Member
 
Joined: February 6, 2014
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 41
From: Motor City
Originally Posted by TheReaper
FYI.......I'm pretty sure that Osram makes Silver-stars and all the HID's for Ford. SilverStar® ULTRA
They're a large company, they probably make a lot of different lights for various companies.

The products under their own name are good quality, however.
Old 12/15/16 | 02:17 PM
  #20  
FromZto5's Avatar
I Have No Life
 
Joined: September 24, 2011
Posts: 10,141
Likes: 172
Originally Posted by TheReaper
FYI.......I'm pretty sure that Osram makes Silver-stars and all the HID's for Ford. SilverStar® ULTRA
Yes, probably... whether they do or not, I do know that the Osram's are fantastic. I always thought bulbs were bulbs were bulbs were bulbs. But there's a big difference in color, light output, and reliability.

Originally Posted by Joeywhat
They're a large company, they probably make a lot of different lights for various companies.

The products under their own name are good quality, however.
agree.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:16 PM.