HID Retrofit for Your Headlights: Here are the Pros and Cons

Does your vehicle have halogen headlights? And do you usually drive at night? If you need excellent visibility without blinding motorists on the road, then perhaps you might want to "retrofit" your lights with HID.

HID, or High Intensity Discharge retrofits allow you to install "or retrofit" HID projectors inside a halogen headlight. This allows your headlight to have around three times more light compared to your original halogens.

There are cars already fitted with HIDs in the market today. For instance, Toyota Camry, Honda CR-V, Subaru Impreza, Corolla Altis, Mitsubishi Pajero, and many Mercedes Benz and BMW models come with this kind of lighting system.

Pros and Cons

Doing a retrofit is quite straightforward, and usually takes around a day if it's not a customized, one-off build. Usually, a professional would open a headlight, and separate its lens from the body. Afterwards, an HID projector is placed inside the reflector housing, making sure that they are properly aligned and sealed completely.

Pros of HID Retrofits

  • The bulbs generally last a long time when used moderately. For instance, a Philips HID bulb will last around five years if you use it for two hours per day. Meanwhile, Original Equipment Manufactured (OEM) bulbs can last for three years. Note that this is a conservative figure. Most exceed these numbers.
  • It effectively reduces blinding glare, preventing accidents on the road.
  • It gives 3x more light compared to traditional halogen headlights.

Cons of HID Retrofits

  • They can get expensive. The best ones start at around PHP20,000++.  Meanwhile, the inferior ones--which we don't recommend--can go for as low as PHP10,000 (service charge included).
  • The visibility of HID retrofits function less efficiently if your car has dark tints. Ideally, it's better to first convert your car's windows to light or light-medium tints before you do an HID retrofit.
  • Headlamp lens with lines or ridges (EDITOR's NOTE: Also known as fluted lens) can't be retrofitted with HIDs. This means you need to convert to clear lens before you do an upgrade.

HID retrofit process

Taken from Wikimedia Commons

A typical HID retrofit service from a professional often comes in a package. This includes: HID projectors (such as FXR, H1,H7 and other D2S projectors), HID bulbs like Osram Nightbreaker, and Philips (usually using around 4300k-5000k color temperature for maximum lighting output), shrouds (cover for the back part of the projector, like the E46 and ocular shrouds), mounting parts, sealants (non-silicone is better), HID ballast (like Matsushita and Morimoto), wiring, and the company's service charge.

By the way, how will you know if their work is good? Check if the HID lights have clean cutoffs, without visible hot spots, misaligned light, and too much glare. Moreover, the color should look sharp and crisp. Too much blurred edges are a sign of poor installation.

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Featured Cars

  • Upcoming

Car Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • Toyota GT, GT Racing concepts showcased at 2025 Goodwood FOS
    Toyota GT, GT Racing concepts showcased at 2025 Goodwood FOS
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Hyundai Motor PH showcases new Santa Fe variant at HME tour Alabang leg
    Hyundai Motor PH showcases new Santa Fe variant at HME tour Alabang leg
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Incoming Denza D9 makes Goodwood debut
    Incoming Denza D9 makes Goodwood debut
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Tesla PH delivers over 1.5K units so far
    Tesla PH delivers over 1.5K units so far
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 17, 2025
  • Nissan Alabang recognized as best dealer at 2025 DOYA
    Nissan Alabang recognized as best dealer at 2025 DOYA
    Paulo Papa . Jul 17, 2025
  • Interesting police cars from around the world
    Interesting police cars from around the world
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 17, 2025
  • Affordable EV matchup: Dongfeng Nammi vs VinFast VF 5
    Affordable EV matchup: Dongfeng Nammi vs VinFast VF 5
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 16, 2025
  • Is driving stick still relevant to youngsters?
    Is driving stick still relevant to youngsters?
    Paulo Papa . Jul 15, 2025
  • Auto, motorcycle brands with horses in their badges
    Auto, motorcycle brands with horses in their badges
    Paulo Papa . Jul 14, 2025
  • Subaru Crosstrek vs. the competition
    Subaru Crosstrek vs. the competition
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 14, 2025
  • Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Cesar Miguel . Jun 12, 2025
  • What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 11, 2025
  • Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 26, 2025
  • Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • Honda BR-V S CVT: all about that ‘base’
    Honda BR-V S CVT: all about that ‘base’
    Paulo Papa . Jul 09, 2025
  • Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper: ideal entry-level truck
    Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper: ideal entry-level truck
    Paulo Papa . Jul 07, 2025
  • First drive: MG ZS Hybrid+
    First drive: MG ZS Hybrid+
    Cesar Miguel . Jun 30, 2025
  • BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain: MPV for modern families
    BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain: MPV for modern families
    Paulo Papa . Jun 18, 2025
  • Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid: modest mover
    Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid: modest mover
    Paulo Papa . Jun 05, 2025