Joined
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207 Posts
Hello to all 
There are many, many topics on this forum about headlights, HID lights, fog lights, different ways of modifying running lights, brake lights, and more!
There are discussions about what is legal to use, and, what will simply upset all oncoming cars. This is about my search for more light, that is either completely legal, or, if not legal, it is impossible to tell it is not legal. I do not want to modify my wiring to do it, nor do I wish to risk melting any wiring either.
Many people have differing opinions about what is best. My best is simple, not too spendy, legal enough to never get stopped in Ohio, easy to do, and will not upset anyone when it's time to sell it.
The car is an 06 Tucson GLS 2.7L 2 wheel drive in the stock silver color. Stock wheels, and nothing special to look at.
My reason for different / better lighting is not so much about looks, but rather helping the guy behind the wheel to see better at night, and during poor weather.
Some basics you need to know before you start.
What size/type bulbs you have. What works on my Tucson, may not work on your Veracruz - you need to confirm before buying! Your Owner's Manual will give you some info, but this page will teach you everything! Philips bulb selector site
OR this Sylvania site Sylvania bulb selector site
The key is to determine the 'size' or 'type' of bulb in each position you wish to change out.
I wished to change:
My headlights - brightest, legal bulb I could.
My foglights - from clear to yellow, and brighter if possible
My front 'parking lights' - from clear to AMBER (who ever heard of white parking lights?! - YUCK!!), and, if possible, brighter
My headlights are 9003, also known as 'H4' bulbs, and also as "HB2" - generally, get one of the comman names and you'll be safe.
My foglights are "881", and my front 'parking lights' are "168".
Using your favorite search engine, and by putting in a search string like " 168 bulb yellow" - you will find many different brands and styles to choose from! Be careful because, many sites will tell you that the 168 and 194 are the same bulb - sadly, not quite true! The '168' tip is straight, but some of the other bulbs have a 90 degree bend in the tip, or may be a different wattage!
Speaking of wattage... Two important factors here, generally more 'watts' means more light, AND, more heat, and more current draw through your wiring. So, unless you know what you are doing, or like to roll the dice, swapping out a stock bulb for a higher wattage bulb *can* be a risk! This is something to consider - many people tell you that you can double (the wattage) safely, or you simply need to put in a higher rated fuse - OK?! True, most of the wiring in my car is tougher than it needs to be for the stock bulbs - but *I* think it is because they (the car maker) want it to live a long and trouble-free life - and, who am I to mess with that?
I did go up slightly on my foglights however - but, they are not on all the time, they are on their own circuit, and not many will be able to tell they are not DOT legal for on-road use - as the Owner of the car, I choose to roll the dice on this one.
The headlights '9003' bulb stock is 55 watts lowbeam, and 60 watts highbeam, or 55/60W. There are many aftermarket bulbs that stay with the stock wattage. Some have different shades of white, some go to a bluish-white, but many say something like "+50%" or "+80%" meaning they provide 50% or 80% more light for the same watts used. This is LEGAL!!! And it will say right on the bulb case if they are "DOT approved" or not for on-road use, or off-road use only.
The Sylvania "SilverStar" is a well known and popular bulb (9003ST) and the "SilverStar Ultra" (newer and whiter) is 9003SU - these are what I have used in the past.
Recently I have found out about the Philips "X-treme Power" bulb.
This bulb strikes me as the current best of show, and I ordered a set back on 08-28-09 and they just arrived today!
Whenever I can, I try to buy my stuff on Amazon (as I like shopping there), but I find I can't always get exactly what I want on Amazon, so then I need to find an outside vendor like the one above. Good knowledge on the site, great prices and selection, horrid shipping! No tracking to speak of - you get it when you get it...PERIOD!
For the front parking lights I bought some cheap $2.99 special no-name bulbs at my favorite auto-store. But, being me, I had to see if there is anything better, so for roughly $13 bucks, I got the PIAA bulbs - we shall see how different they are from the $2.99 specials...
For the foglights, I did go through Amazon, but from a different vendor that sells through Amazon - still, shipping not as good as Amazon themselves, but better than SUVlights!
Headlights - $39.99 plus $4.95 shipping - 11 days bulb
Foglights - $28.00 plus $4.25 shipping - 8 days bulb
PIAA front parking lights $12.85 plus free shipping - 3 days bulb
no-name front parking lights $2.99 locally.
Your Hyundai Owner's manual will tell you how to replace these bulbs, and, if desired, the proper way to aim them - the biggest caution I'd point out - DO NOT TOUCH the glass part of the bulb - you *may* put enough oils on it to shorten the life (I also wash my hands after taking everything apart, and prior to installing the new bulbs).
Personally, I believe yellow (amber) foglights do a better job than clear ones. I read a paper recently that stated otherwise. I have also read many old papers that agreed to having a yellowish tint providing better light in poor weather conditions. Only you can decide for yourself! Also, the *cool* factor of NOT having what every other Tucson Owner has is for me
Same reason for the amber front parking lights - it makes zero difference driving at night, but makes a GREAT difference (to me) sitting in a parking lot - same thing, makes mine a bit different.
One point to remember? "+%" type bulbs will have a shorter life than the standard bulb. How short really depends on how much you use your lights? In the past, I normally get 8-14 months before losing one, and as most all bulbs dim with age, I always replace in pairs.
One last point if I may? Generally speaking, most ALL automotive lighting is made by either Philips, or Sylvania - even HELLA does not make though own bulbs! So, buying a 'brand' doesn't really do too much for you in my book - the brand *might* SPEC out the bulb slightly different than the version sold by Philips or Sylvania - but it beats the no-name stuff all to ****! So, be careful of where or whom you buy your lights from!
I don't really consider this a 'mod' - but whatever, it's a nice safe, fairly easy change that can bring you great satisfaction if you drive a lot at night or in poor weather.
Below are a few images of the bulbs.
[attachment=14190IAA_168.jpg] [attachment=14191hilips_...me_Power.jpg] [attachment=14192:Luminics...og_light.jpg]
The 168 -front parking light / The 9003 headlight / The 881 fog light
There are many, many topics on this forum about headlights, HID lights, fog lights, different ways of modifying running lights, brake lights, and more!
There are discussions about what is legal to use, and, what will simply upset all oncoming cars. This is about my search for more light, that is either completely legal, or, if not legal, it is impossible to tell it is not legal. I do not want to modify my wiring to do it, nor do I wish to risk melting any wiring either.
Many people have differing opinions about what is best. My best is simple, not too spendy, legal enough to never get stopped in Ohio, easy to do, and will not upset anyone when it's time to sell it.
The car is an 06 Tucson GLS 2.7L 2 wheel drive in the stock silver color. Stock wheels, and nothing special to look at.
My reason for different / better lighting is not so much about looks, but rather helping the guy behind the wheel to see better at night, and during poor weather.
Some basics you need to know before you start.
What size/type bulbs you have. What works on my Tucson, may not work on your Veracruz - you need to confirm before buying! Your Owner's Manual will give you some info, but this page will teach you everything! Philips bulb selector site
OR this Sylvania site Sylvania bulb selector site
The key is to determine the 'size' or 'type' of bulb in each position you wish to change out.
I wished to change:
My headlights - brightest, legal bulb I could.
My foglights - from clear to yellow, and brighter if possible
My front 'parking lights' - from clear to AMBER (who ever heard of white parking lights?! - YUCK!!), and, if possible, brighter
My headlights are 9003, also known as 'H4' bulbs, and also as "HB2" - generally, get one of the comman names and you'll be safe.
My foglights are "881", and my front 'parking lights' are "168".
Using your favorite search engine, and by putting in a search string like " 168 bulb yellow" - you will find many different brands and styles to choose from! Be careful because, many sites will tell you that the 168 and 194 are the same bulb - sadly, not quite true! The '168' tip is straight, but some of the other bulbs have a 90 degree bend in the tip, or may be a different wattage!
Speaking of wattage... Two important factors here, generally more 'watts' means more light, AND, more heat, and more current draw through your wiring. So, unless you know what you are doing, or like to roll the dice, swapping out a stock bulb for a higher wattage bulb *can* be a risk! This is something to consider - many people tell you that you can double (the wattage) safely, or you simply need to put in a higher rated fuse - OK?! True, most of the wiring in my car is tougher than it needs to be for the stock bulbs - but *I* think it is because they (the car maker) want it to live a long and trouble-free life - and, who am I to mess with that?
I did go up slightly on my foglights however - but, they are not on all the time, they are on their own circuit, and not many will be able to tell they are not DOT legal for on-road use - as the Owner of the car, I choose to roll the dice on this one.
The headlights '9003' bulb stock is 55 watts lowbeam, and 60 watts highbeam, or 55/60W. There are many aftermarket bulbs that stay with the stock wattage. Some have different shades of white, some go to a bluish-white, but many say something like "+50%" or "+80%" meaning they provide 50% or 80% more light for the same watts used. This is LEGAL!!! And it will say right on the bulb case if they are "DOT approved" or not for on-road use, or off-road use only.
The Sylvania "SilverStar" is a well known and popular bulb (9003ST) and the "SilverStar Ultra" (newer and whiter) is 9003SU - these are what I have used in the past.
Recently I have found out about the Philips "X-treme Power" bulb.
This bulb strikes me as the current best of show, and I ordered a set back on 08-28-09 and they just arrived today!
Whenever I can, I try to buy my stuff on Amazon (as I like shopping there), but I find I can't always get exactly what I want on Amazon, so then I need to find an outside vendor like the one above. Good knowledge on the site, great prices and selection, horrid shipping! No tracking to speak of - you get it when you get it...PERIOD!
For the front parking lights I bought some cheap $2.99 special no-name bulbs at my favorite auto-store. But, being me, I had to see if there is anything better, so for roughly $13 bucks, I got the PIAA bulbs - we shall see how different they are from the $2.99 specials...
For the foglights, I did go through Amazon, but from a different vendor that sells through Amazon - still, shipping not as good as Amazon themselves, but better than SUVlights!
Headlights - $39.99 plus $4.95 shipping - 11 days bulb
Foglights - $28.00 plus $4.25 shipping - 8 days bulb
PIAA front parking lights $12.85 plus free shipping - 3 days bulb
no-name front parking lights $2.99 locally.
Your Hyundai Owner's manual will tell you how to replace these bulbs, and, if desired, the proper way to aim them - the biggest caution I'd point out - DO NOT TOUCH the glass part of the bulb - you *may* put enough oils on it to shorten the life (I also wash my hands after taking everything apart, and prior to installing the new bulbs).
Personally, I believe yellow (amber) foglights do a better job than clear ones. I read a paper recently that stated otherwise. I have also read many old papers that agreed to having a yellowish tint providing better light in poor weather conditions. Only you can decide for yourself! Also, the *cool* factor of NOT having what every other Tucson Owner has is for me
Same reason for the amber front parking lights - it makes zero difference driving at night, but makes a GREAT difference (to me) sitting in a parking lot - same thing, makes mine a bit different.
One point to remember? "+%" type bulbs will have a shorter life than the standard bulb. How short really depends on how much you use your lights? In the past, I normally get 8-14 months before losing one, and as most all bulbs dim with age, I always replace in pairs.
One last point if I may? Generally speaking, most ALL automotive lighting is made by either Philips, or Sylvania - even HELLA does not make though own bulbs! So, buying a 'brand' doesn't really do too much for you in my book - the brand *might* SPEC out the bulb slightly different than the version sold by Philips or Sylvania - but it beats the no-name stuff all to ****! So, be careful of where or whom you buy your lights from!
I don't really consider this a 'mod' - but whatever, it's a nice safe, fairly easy change that can bring you great satisfaction if you drive a lot at night or in poor weather.
Below are a few images of the bulbs.
[attachment=14190
IAA_168.jpg] [attachment=14191hilips_...me_Power.jpg] [attachment=14192:Luminics...og_light.jpg]The 168 -front parking light / The 9003 headlight / The 881 fog light
