THSCC Forums

Steve, are the lenses cloudy? I've had two 99-03 super duty Fords, and I thought the headlights were decent. Nothing like the HIDs in my former S2000, but not as bad as what you're describing.

This trick won't get you show car results, but really badly clouded plastic headlights can be brought back with simple metal polish, like Mothers mag and aluminum polish. Just spread some on, count to 50, and wipe it off. It'll make a big difference with basically zero work.

Years ago this guy's site was very informative.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/home.html

It has changed and I don't know how much practical info is still online since I haven't read the current content.

My 2012 Mustang has the standard headlights. Didn't want the extra cost (originally and repairs) of the optional HID's.

> My 2012 Mustang has H13 bulbs. What can you tell me about
> the performance of H13s compared to any others than would
> "fit and otherwise work" in my car?

There is no other type that will fit and work. Each headlamp must use the type of bulb it was designed for. There are a few cases in which a different type of bulb can be substituted, but they are a tiny minority and none of them involves a 2-filament bulb such as H13. The best H13 bulbs presently on the market are the Philips Xtreme Vision items:

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/739636.html

A close second preference would be the Philips Xtreme Power
items: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00480KPLW

Do not buy blue or "extra white" bulbs (Silver Star, Crystal Vision, Hoen, PIAA, etc.); despite the heavy advertising push and claims of "brighter and whiter" light, they actually produce _less_ light due to the blue glass they use. Also, "HID kits" in halogen-bulb headlamps or fog/auxiliary lamps (any kit, any lamp, any vehicle no matter whether it's a car, truck, motorcycle, etc.) do not work safely or effectively, which is why they are illegal. See http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech ... sions.html .

> Can you provide relative performance information of the
> two Philips bulbs you mentioned with the likely Ford OEM
> bulbs (Sylvania maybe)? That is, how much "better" would
> they be than relatively new OEM bulbs? My guess is "not
> much" until the OEM bulbs have deteriorated with age.

"Slightly" is the best you can hope for.