I've read on previous threads about people replacing the stock high beam bulbs with higher wattage "xenon" type bulbs in order to match the HID's.

My question is, is it safe to do this? Will the aftermarket bulbs be too hot and blow up, cause damge to the housing, crack the headlight lense, etc., etc.?

 

The proper way to do it is to upgrade the wiring cables as well to handle the new wattage. Though most don't really care about that and you should not have any problems just changing to a higher wattage halogen bulb if you don't leave it on for a long time.

Though there are barely no warning signs, the consequences not done properly are quite sever. If you're lucky, the bulb just fuses out ... If you're unlucky, it might melt the wiring cable because the wattage and heat output is higher than standard or worse ... The bulb shatters and blows into little pieces inside the glass holding, imagine how you will clean that up.

 

I and bbsilver have upgraded to NAXOS highbeams. They are super bright and better match the stock bulbs. I don't use them like ever so heat and breakage shouldn't be a problem.

The only cars I have ever had any bulbs cracking and blowing up are in damn american cars. So just don't drive with them on for a few hours at a streatch you should be all set.

 

pinky, what wattage are your upgrade bulbs and how much of an increase is this over the stock bulbs?

I am using gold/yellow 70 watt bulbs in my high beams right now. They are very bright. however, the HID's are already very bright, so they don't really add much.

 

I thought to get the full effect of Xenon, you had to replace the reflectors too. If you look at our xenon headlights, you'll notice that the optics are totally different.