replacing stock Halogens with silverstar ultra

[XIS]

Since my last two cars over the last 9+ years have had HID headlights, I was a little suprised at the low light output of my EX35 during a test drive a dusk. It seemed like just DRL's were on, but this EX35 doesn't have DRL's! After doing a little research, I realized that halogens were standard .... shocking, but not a deal breaker. I didn't want to mess with a kit or the expense of changing systems, so upgrading the bulbs was the quickest and cheapest upgrade.

Some reasearch led me to Sylvania Silverstars... a little more led me to the Silverstar Ultras... even more led me to ZXE (some new 'xenon' filled halogen bulbs) - not enough user experience out there (very new, I guess) so I passed on those....for now...and went with the Ultras.

Strange way to access the bulbs, but you get to them from inside the fender and above the tire, not from the hood.

step 0 - disconnect battery (even though I skipped this, it is suggested)
step 1- jack up your car till the front tire leaves the ground (turn wheel outward)
step 2- remove about 3 screws and 5 or 6 of the little plastic clips (the plastic clips - just use a flat-head screwdriver, gently pry the plastic button up and then pull the plug assy out with your fingers.) (when you put them back in, have the head pulled out slightly and then push through the hole till it 'clicks')
step 3 - bend the plastic liner down and wedge it behind the tire.
step 4- locate the white cap behind the halogen. turn about 1/4 turn and remove.
step 5- grasp the halogen plug from behind, turn 1/4 turn and pull out.
step 6- unclip the bulb from the socket with a flathead screwdriver and remove the bulb
step 7- without touching the glass of the new bulb, insert it into the plug, put it back into the hole, turn it 1/4 turn and it is in there. (connect battery and turn on lights to verify connection)
step 8- reverse steps, starting with replacing the white cap that seals the headlight (1/4 turn)...re-inserting the plastic clips and the screws...

repeat steps 0-8 on opposite side. First side took about 25 minutes. opposite side took about 10 minutes.

results:for less than $50, a huge improvement in function and appearance. More light projection, wider light, brighter light. Whiter (not blue - YUCK!).
Highly recommended improvement for those with stock halogens.

[gio14]

How do u know if u have stock halogens? we've got journey with premium package 2011. Great writeup btw! Pics would be great!!

[XIS]

Thanks!
Being a photographer, you would have thought I would have taken photos too....but...
It is very simple though.
You would know if you have halogens if the light color is more yellowish than white/blue. The stock halogens are very dim by comparison. This simple bulb change made an obvious improvement.

The Luxe Elite package has the xenon HID lights. (premium adds the Bose, bluetooth, memory seats, etc) (Journey adds the leather, power rear seats, sonar, etc)... just fyi

[EXceptional]

I thought all the fully equipped EX35's came with Xenon Bulbs.

[XIS]

I thouhgt they ALL came with them till I got mine! I was wrong...

[XIS]

But honestly this was very simple and well worth it.
:-)

[dinhx35]

fwiw, i was able to do this without removing wheel or jackin it up-
Just turn the wheel far right for the left wheel, far left for the right-...remove clips under wheel well and pull back the covering- you sort of have to pull it a bit, but it won't crack or break plastic...you can easily reach in (i got big hands). helps to use other head guiding from top as well.

[jamesstock]

I have a question. It seems to me the silver star bulbs are running at 55w (compare to 35w stock), that's part of the reason why the lights are brighter. If this is the case, will the electrical wires be able to handle the extra 20W load?

[XIS]

Hi - it is the Xenons that are 35W.

Halogen low beams are 55W (H11 bulbs) and Halogen high beams are 65W (H9 bulbs)