How To Install an HID Headlight Kit

[EricTheCarGuy]

I had a lot of fun making this video and I hope you enjoy it. Even though this video shows a Honda Element the procedure is similar with other vehicles. So what do you think of HID kits?

Topic

[Wayne]

Eh, it’s a very small percentage that gets truly rude at any personal level, most of which was on the youtube comments, which isn’t exactly unusual. Seems pretty standard fare for youtube.

I’d certainly keep that flavor of HID (that keeps scatter to a minimum), but I would try to get it to what most factory HID sets usually are, like stated, around 4600-5500k.

I made the same gist of comment in that scotty kilmer one done a few weeks ago. HIDs aren’t inherently a bad thing, but most are a bit put off by them being done by 17 year olds in civic type R’s, being 8500k, made by “wesucky INC” in China, pointed to sear oncoming traffic’s retinas out. So the bias tends to be a bit big.

Should the mood strike you, there is an interesting couple year old article on the subject here:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html

[Howard]

Dear Eric,

As ECTG grew, the followers and critics automatically grew along. You stick out your neck, so you can reach higher but also leave more room to be chopped. As you have stated before in videos, where you hinted at you taking a break from ECTG to ‘regroup’ and refocus, it was all about you focus on what you had in mind with ECTG. You make it for us, people who are interested in the way you think about doing ‘stuff’, giving us a way to maybe solve a problem or two we might encounter, not to proclaim the one and only vision on the solution. You started to take ECTG so serious, that you were in danger of loosing the focus and took a step back, which shows a lot of insight. Now, you’re back, focused and with a plan. Keep that focus for us, don’t loose yourself into, or give into people that are out there to just piss on the parade, people that show they have some difficulty communicating their opinion in a normal (constructive) way. Trying to correct that is useless, and therefore “RE: videos”tend to miss that goal of trying to (again) get a point across. The intention, like you state in the introduction, is to correct mistakes that you might have made, or concerns that might have come up regarding what you did. What you did is fine, it’s your way, it’s your idea, and…it’s your car. Don’t let yourself get trapped into the abyss of negative comments on Youtube videos, no matter what you will post, you will have those. Always. Focus on us, the people out there (in growing numbers by 500-1000 a day) that appreciate your work, your expertise, your efforts and time, and humor. Keep focused and we will be there along the way.

All the support from Down Under (yes,we have internet too 😉

[LF4RUNNER]

[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=58334]I had a lot of fun making this video and I hope you enjoy it. Even though this video shows a Honda Element the procedure is similar with other vehicles. So what do you think of HID kits?

Hey Eric,

I love all your videos man!

I just have a quick question for you in respect to this HID kit. You know here in Ontario it’s legislated that all vehicles on the street to have DRL. So my question is will the stock DRL function persist after the installation of this HID kit?

Thanks a ton in advance for your reply.

Brgds,

Dan

[EricTheCarGuy]

[quote=”LF4RUNNER” post=59645][quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=58334]I had a lot of fun making this video and I hope you enjoy it. Even though this video shows a Honda Element the procedure is similar with other vehicles. So what do you think of HID kits?

Hey Eric,

I love all your videos man!

I just have a quick question for you in respect to this HID kit. You know here in Ontario it’s legislated that all vehicles on the street to have DRL. So my question is will the stock DRL function persist after the installation of this HID kit?

Thanks a ton in advance for your reply.

Brgds,

Dan[/quote]

Good question! Since the kit ties directly into the headlight circuit all functions such as DRL will be maintained. So yes, you will still have your DRL’s if you have the HID’s installed on your low beam circuit.

[EricTheCarGuy]

[quote=”indiolatino” post=59302]I just registered here after seeing the RE: HID video because I had to put in my 2-cents. I was quite shocked and saddened at ETCG’s demeanor after being treated disrespectfully by some of the forum posters. I have found Eric to be quite a gentleman and a very important part of what makes the web what it is. I have learned from him, have been entertained by him and I expected for him to deserve at least respect if not admiration for his services. I apologize to you, Eric…anyone with a soul could see you were genuinely hurt by these unnecessary comments. I appreciate you, my friend![/quote]

No need to apologize. I wasn’t singling anyone person out I was just hoping to set the record straight on a few of the concerns that were posted in the comments. I apologize if I came off a bit too harsh.

[Bill]

Holy CRAP! I can’t believe how many experts there are out there. Some of you people must think Eric it completely stupid. If those people know so much why are you watching Erics vids?
At lot of effort goes into these vids to help people complete repairs correctly. I watch to learn new things. I don’t agree with everything but i feel many of the ups and downs that Eric feels and talks about as he’s completing his work.

If his lights are too bright and annoying others i think he’s sharp enough to do something else with his lights.

SHEESH!

[Darren]

I’m in the UK and apparently they’re not allowed in my country. Such a shame. You can however install the ‘whole kit’ which is the HID’s themselves, AND the projector assembly. Meaning everything has to be replaced. They, unfortunately don’t make these for my Hyundai i10. So I think I’ll be sticking to the normal halogens for a while!

[AKGC]

I’m stating this as just info thats out there.
I don’t really stand on either side of the fence on this topic, but just think this is info that needs to be heard.

Pretty much what I posted in the RE. video.

I was going to say something in the other vid, but my youtube inbox started blowing up when I posted something in the scotty kilmer vid.
As far as legalese
National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, states that as far as 50 state laws that OEM halogen headlights are to only have halogen bulbs.
SAE J1383-2005
I will also state, will you get a ticket? Most likely not. just throwing this out there.

To continue, the legal actions haven’t really been given to the “users,” but to the venders, and is the reason why no “parts stores” carry HID kits or even the blue-ish halogen bulbs anymore, and can for the most part, only be found online.
NHTSA has given fines to vendors of such kits of $10,000
RM Racing was fined this and were trying to go after other vendors.
Google all this stuff. Youtube doesn’t like posting links in the comment section.
EDIT: What I mean by “other vendors” is that they were trying to go after vendors, with and address and an actual business license. Thats why in one of the links, it states the business name, and not the manufacturer.

Now since I can post URLs on here:
Fines given
http://www.nhtsa.gov/Laws+&+Regulations/Civil+Penalty+Settlement+Amounts
(search on the page for “hid” or “RM Racing”

Police forum
forums.officer.com/t41131/
(4th post down give the documentation and NHTSA lighting regulations)

I know the info is pretty old, but lighting regulations haven’t changes all that much

[EricTheCarGuy]

[quote=”AKGC” post=60025]I’m stating this as just info thats out there.
I don’t really stand on either side of the fence on this topic, but just think this is info that needs to be heard.

Pretty much what I posted in the RE. video.

I was going to say something in the other vid, but my youtube inbox started blowing up when I posted something in the scotty kilmer vid.
As far as legalese
National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, states that as far as 50 state laws that OEM halogen headlights are to only have halogen bulbs.
SAE J1383-2005
I will also state, will you get a ticket? Most likely not. just throwing this out there.

To continue, the legal actions haven’t really been given to the “users,” but to the venders, and is the reason why no “parts stores” carry HID kits or even the blue-ish halogen bulbs anymore, and can for the most part, only be found online.
NHTSA has given fines to vendors of such kits of $10,000
RM Racing was fined this and were trying to go after other vendors.
Google all this stuff. Youtube doesn’t like posting links in the comment section.
EDIT: What I mean by “other vendors” is that they were trying to go after vendors, with and address and an actual business license. Thats why in one of the links, it states the business name, and not the manufacturer.

Now since I can post URLs on here:
Fines given
http://www.nhtsa.gov/Laws+&+Regulations/Civil+Penalty+Settlement+Amounts
(search on the page for “hid” or “RM Racing”

Police forum
forums.officer.com/t41131/
(4th post down give the documentation and NHTSA lighting regulations)

I know the info is pretty old, but lighting regulations haven’t changes all that much[/quote]

I think as you pointed out it boils down to enforcement. True there is a federal law regarding what equipment should come on a vehicle but I believe it’s up to the states to enforce things such as HID headlights. BTW I know for a fact that the 99-03 Acura TL’s and CL’s came with HID’s in reflector housings and other viewers have pointed out that there are a few other vehicles that came stock that way as well. So we’re back to enforcement. I think it’s really up to the individual officer to decide if the lights are deemed ‘offensive’. Even if that’s the case the biggest penalty I found was a minor misdemeanor which is nothing more than a modest fine in the state of OH. I would think you would get pulled over for some other violation and the HID violation would be tacked on rather than someone getting pulled over for just the lights alone unless they were driving recklessly or something like that. If they did get pulled over for the lights I would say it would likely be because they were not aligned properly and are causing too much glare OR they were of a color that attracted too much attention.

There are some people who dislike these lights very much, I get that. As for the laws, at this time they either aren’t clear or aren’t enforced with any kind of regularity, at least where I am in Ohio. As for me personally, as of this posting I have yet to see a set of fog lights in my P.O. box. I also have not been flashed by oncoming drivers nor have I gotten pulled over by highway patrol which would indicate that my kit is not causing undo glare to oncoming traffic, or attracting the attention of law enforcement. Trust me, if it was I would remove them and go back to the halogens. I can say however that it’s much easier for me to see at night and as a result nighttime driving is a lot more enjoyable.

[AKGC]

As I stated, I simply am posting the previous info as info only.
Police aren’t required, and aren’t able to keep track of all theses regulations and violations, so most just simply don’t know.

I never said that HIDs had to be in projector housings, just said in the documentation that headlights had to be designed for HIDs. If you compare the how the HID light is projected between the ones made for them and then the halogen ones on google images, you can tell that there was some engineering that went into light projection.

Not saying that you should take them off, just presenting this as just some info on the subject.
I have HIDs on my car and haven’t had any issues with anybody

[Michael Gegzno]

Thinking the best solutions. Stay away from the blue colors. It’s a dead give away that one has done something different.
The 4300 and 6000K are the best anyway, Same white as Silver Stars or one step down from them. Any more Kelvin is just a negative when the pavement is wet and pitch dark out.

[AKGC]

IIRC all OEM HID (xenon) bulbs are 4200k, which I believe you can’t get unless you get OEM replacement xenon bulbs.

[Jose]

Thank you Erick for making the “how to install an HID headlight kit”, video. I do appreciate the time and effort you spend to make the videos that teaches us humble people about automotive repair. I could not believe the put downs I read from this topic. For all you haters out there, stay out of Eric’s web site. Ericthecarguy.com is a place of learning and teaching, not a place of trash talking and ill criticism. And who ever has a problem with HID headlights because of legal issues or because you might blind someone, just don’t put them on your vehicle and shut up.

And for the one who called Eric a mediocre, man… I don’t see you making any electrical videos. how dare you come to someones home and attack him. your are very disrespectful.

Erick, thanks again buddy. I have learned a lot from your videos.

[James R]

[quote=”jalcaraz” post=60191][/quote]

“And who ever has a problem with HID headlights because of legal issues or because you might blind someone, just don’t put them on your vehicle and shut up.”

This is ridiculous. By this logic I can run lights that are used on rallye cars during night stages and when i recieve criticism just say “Dont istall them if you dont like them”.

Trash talking? Ill criticism? One guy came with personal attacks and 9/11 BS, and he got banned. The rest was civilized discussion.

[EricTheCarGuy]

[quote=”AKGC” post=60058]As I stated, I simply am posting the previous info as info only.
Police aren’t required, and aren’t able to keep track of all theses regulations and violations, so most just simply don’t know.

I never said that HIDs had to be in projector housings, just said in the documentation that headlights had to be designed for HIDs. If you compare the how the HID light is projected between the ones made for them and then the halogen ones on google images, you can tell that there was some engineering that went into light projection.

Not saying that you should take them off, just presenting this as just some info on the subject.
I have HIDs on my car and haven’t had any issues with anybody[/quote]

No worries and no hard feelings, I appreciate your input. You had just given me the opportunity to address the federal law issue that I had not addressed in previous postings. Once again thanks for your input.

[Author]

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