Upgrading your headlights?

[armoredsaint]

I was surprised that even the SEL version doesn't have projector beam headlights - just your typically run of the mill cheap ones.

 

Anyone upgraded it with HID or just a bulb upgrade? Also what size is it BTW? Thanks.

[BigRed]

Indeed, what size are the bulbs? I am interested in getting some brighter/whiter ones after my car gets in.

[armoredsaint]

I found it's H11 and it's a PITA to replace one side of them I believe?

[altabrig]

http://fordcmaxenergiforum.com/topic/981-hid-retrofit-from-europe/?do=findComment&comment=5182

 

Thread on the Energi forum.  A member is elbows deep in an HID retrofit using lights and hopefully a harness that works from Europe.

[C-MAXER]

amoredsaint, I know from another thread you're coming from a Prius.  I had a 2010 prius level 3 with those projector beam headlights and frankly find the c-max units just as good and maybe a tad better on high beams.   

[wamba2000]

I posted this in another thread with a couple pictures:  http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/index.php?/topic/1195-replaced-low-beam-oem-bulbs-pictures/

 

I originally was going to pull out the headlamp assemblies, but managed to replace bulbs without removal.  Maybe I have long fingers or something, but the toughest part was aligning the rubber boot after replacing the bulbs.

 

I was taken to task by others, as I used Sylvania H11 Silverstar ZXEs which have a bluish glass coating.  the lighting appears "whiter" to my eye in night driving.

There are many others available in this size. 

 

I am glad I made this change.

[armoredsaint]

I posted this in another thread with a couple pictures:  http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/index.php?/topic/1195-replaced-low-beam-oem-bulbs-pictures/

 

I originally was going to pull out the headlamp assemblies, but managed to replace bulbs without removal.  Maybe I have long fingers or something, but the toughest part was aligning the rubber boot after replacing the bulbs.

 

I was taken to task by others, as I used Sylvania H11 Silverstar ZXEs which have a bluish glass coating.  the lighting appears "whiter" to my eye in night driving.

There are many others available in this size. 

 

I am glad I made this change.

 

 

How much of a difference in driving at night did it make? More light coverage?

[wamba2000]

armoredsaint, it is hard to quantify if there is any difference in distance.  driving within a city with ambient lighting makes it hard to determine.  I do think the light spectrum is better for clarity.  Think of it being like a CFL warm white bulb with a light temperature of 2700K versus a CFL with Daylight output, light temperature in the 4500K range,  the whiter the light it seems easier to distinguish the contrast.

 

I believe jewelry stores tend toward the "cooler" light range for their display cases so that precious stones show their facets and contrast more. (another example.)

 

See my pictures to get the difference in spectrum. 

 

I have a trip planned later this year where I will be driving in the mountains where there will be nothing but moonlight ( if any) which will give me a better chance to evaluate.

[timwil56]

I'm another crossover C-Max owner from the Energi forum. I would like to upgrade my halogen headlights to a whiter, brighter bulb with a wider beam. I don't want to retro fit to HID's (too many bad luck stories out there from using the Chinese kits), just a better halogen bulb. Any suggestions on a good bulb? When I search for H11 bulbs on Amazon and use the does it fit your vehicle feature, it states it fits the 2013 C-Max but does not fit the 2014. Was there a change to the bulb or headlamp housing/socket between the two years, or is it that Amazon hasn't caught to include the 2014's?