Honda Fit - Poor Headlights according to IIHS
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,421
From: Upstate New York
Will do. Keep in mind the LEDs are also serving as DRLs, so they’re “always on.”
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/3rd-...ml#post1384450
Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 369
From: Southern Indiana
I am a self proclaimed professional at driving with some of the lousiest headlights ever placed on a vehicle... The Jeep Cherokee is what defines the lowest achievable standard and is still called headlamps. They may as well be oil lamps from a horse carriage.... But anyways..... Thank goodness the Fit came into my life.
Has anyone ever checked the voltage getting to the headlight sockets? I may attempt to this on my lunch break. The Jeep Cherokee is plagued with undersized wire and poor grounding. I am fairly confident that most test reveal only 9-10 volts making it to the bulb. All this headlamp talk makes me wonder about the Fit and how common it may be for other vehicles to suffer from the same issue.
Has anyone ever checked the voltage getting to the headlight sockets? I may attempt to this on my lunch break. The Jeep Cherokee is plagued with undersized wire and poor grounding. I am fairly confident that most test reveal only 9-10 volts making it to the bulb. All this headlamp talk makes me wonder about the Fit and how common it may be for other vehicles to suffer from the same issue.
Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,098
From: Friendswood, TX
Cheapest upgrade: Lights Sylvania Silverstar ULTRA 9003/H4 Pair $26.49 for Honda Fit in eBay. Installed 2/18/18. Performance still OK so far.
My biggest problem with replacing the bulbs is the removing and attaching the spring loaded holding clips in a blinded location.
My biggest problem with replacing the bulbs is the removing and attaching the spring loaded holding clips in a blinded location.
Last edited by wasserball; Nov 13, 2018 at 11:44 AM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 369
From: Southern Indiana
Just checked at 14.22v with the car running. This is a 2018 EX CVT. So voltage drop at the socket is not apparent.
Well I spent a relative small fortune on these. They were well worth it.
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/3rd-...ml#post1384450
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/3rd-...ml#post1384450
Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 565
From: Asheville NC
They have started to put LEDs on to the North American Fit - the 2018 has LED brake lights along with some other lessor things so I'd guess cost is no longer a real barrier. To go to LED headlights they'll probably need a new design headlight lens and electrical changes so I'm guessing we really won't see anything until the next major Fit redesign. There's the possibility of seeing adaptive headlights since the IIHS has been looking at that and seems to like the opportunity to reduce crashes and save lives.
Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 565
From: Asheville NC
Seems like 9003 and H4 are 2 different specifications from 2 different organizations. Bulbs that meet one spec are almost always going to meet the other spec, and typically bulbs are designated with both numbers, that is, the bulb that is designated 9003 in one country is exactly the same bulb that is designated H4 in another country. Package labeling will typically list both names. There is also an HB[n] designation for the same bulb. I think its HB3 but I could be wrong.
ahhh, that makes sense. thanks. 
havent been around halogens in a while forgot about all the different standards and which ones were identical/interchangeable.
but 180 for LED's for a GK? no thanks.
havent been around halogens in a while forgot about all the different standards and which ones were identical/interchangeable.but 180 for LED's for a GK? no thanks.
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 157
From: Spokane, WA
This is probably the reason I have never through too much about the lights. My fogs are on 100% of the time and that must be helping a bit.
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,421
From: Upstate New York
H-4 was the original spec as released in Europe and used in the US in motorcycles. When the DOT considered allowing them in automobiles, they decided the tolerance for filament location needed to be tightened. The new spec was called 9003. Today nearly all bulbs are manufactured to the same spec and H4 and 9003 are used interchangeably.
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 997
From: Chicago
Silverstars Love Them Or Hate Them.
Cheapest upgrade: Lights Sylvania Silverstar ULTRA 9003/H4 Pair $26.49 for Honda Fit in eBay. Installed 2/18/18. Performance still OK so far.
My biggest problem with replacing the bulbs is the removing and attaching the spring loaded holding clips in a blinded location.
My biggest problem with replacing the bulbs is the removing and attaching the spring loaded holding clips in a blinded location.
Some like them other hate them. I'm going to try the Silverstars when my stock lights go out.
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,329
From: Cleveland, GA
The set I bought for our Fit a few years ago were ZERO better than cheap halogens as far as light output. Maybe even less lumens. Just slightly less yellow.
H-4 was the original spec as released in Europe and used in the US in motorcycles. When the DOT considered allowing them in automobiles, they decided the tolerance for filament location needed to be tightened. The new spec was called 9003. Today nearly all bulbs are manufactured to the same spec and H4 and 9003 are used interchangeably.
arent those the ones that burnt out on my GK just a few wks ago (11 month life)? why buy such crappy bulbs when people are saying they burn out prematurely. as GAFIT noted it's not much brighter than stock, maybe a little whiter hue at best. my wife is okay with the factory halogens i put back on the car for now.. she only drives around well lit streets so.
Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 37
From: New Orleans, LA
I found the headlight situation got much better after we lowered my girlfriends fit. Its like the headlights actually cast on the ground in front the car. Which leads me to believe the lights might be aligned improperly from factory.
did you use the tanabe with boat look? then maybe. the aim was set too low on my GK. i aimed it up a little bit and helped a little.
so been running the factory halogens and while it's the ugly halogen brown/orange hue, it has BETTER illumination vs that phillips bulb i was running earlier. unless youre going LED, id stick with stock.
so been running the factory halogens and while it's the ugly halogen brown/orange hue, it has BETTER illumination vs that phillips bulb i was running earlier.
unless youre going LED, id stick with stock.
Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 37
From: New Orleans, LA
did you use the tanabe with boat look? then maybe. the aim was set too low on my GK. i aimed it up a little bit and helped a little.
so been running the factory halogens and while it's the ugly halogen brown/orange hue, it has BETTER illumination vs that phillips bulb i was running earlier. unless youre going LED, id stick with stock.
so been running the factory halogens and while it's the ugly halogen brown/orange hue, it has BETTER illumination vs that phillips bulb i was running earlier.
unless youre going LED, id stick with stock.No I used H&R springs for the GE8
