Hi. I try to find out what bulbs I have on my car but I do not find in the manual the specifications. I want to buy a better one than the one OEM fitted. Does anyone recommend some better and brighter bulbs? I am planning to change only the low beam at the moment. What bulb type can I replace with?

Thanks

 

Lotsa threads and posts on this topic in the Octavia 3 section and quite a few recent ones so you only have to go on to the next page or two or do a search.

You don't say whether your Octavia is fitted with halogen or Xenon? I'm presuming it is not a brand new one with LED's fitted

 

Usual recommendation for halogens are Osram Nightbreaker series but there are alternatives.

Just be wary of some of the Chinese supplied bargains (they are not always all they claim to be).

 

 

4 minutes ago, Gerrycan said:

Lotsa threads and posts on this topic in the Octavia 3 section and quite a few recent ones so you only have to go on to the next page or two or do a search.

You don't say whether your Octavia is fitted with halogen or Xenon? I'm presuming it is not a brand new one with LED's fitted

 

Usual recommendation for halogens are Osram Nightbreaker series but there are alternatives.

Just be wary of some of the Chinese supplied bargains (they are not always all they claim to be).

 

 

That is what I do not know if it is with Xenon or halogen. How can I find out? I do not have LED fitted. I only want to find out what kind of bulbs I have.

5 minutes ago, decebal said:

That is what I do not know if it is with Xenon or halogen. How can I find out? I do not have LED fitted. I only want to find out what kind of bulbs I have.

 

If you have got Xenons fitted then they are an expensive (and powerful) upgrade that requires lens cleaning water jets, and a self levelling system.

When you turn on the headlights at night you would notice they go through an initial 'dance' to orientate themselves. They are also capable of optimising the projection to suit traffic conditions or switch sides automatically when driving on the continent.

Or you have what I have, which are the basic Halogen bulbs fitted on most cars for years, which do none of the above, that are adequate in dry clear conditions but struggle in wet or adverse conditions.

This link is as good a place to start as any:

 

Probably help people to answer your questions if you offer some initial background information such as type of car, year, specification etc

Halogens are fitted to projectors that have no lens, just the usual mirrors. HID (xenons) have the added lens to better concentrate the beam pattern. Also, you could just open the headlight lid and remove the bulb for inspection: H7/H4 (any H for that matter) means you have halogen, whereas D3S stands for xenon.

8 hours ago, paulsoava said:

Halogens are fitted to projectors that have no lens, just the usual mirrors. HID (xenons) have the added lens to better concentrate the beam pattern. Also, you could just open the headlight lid and remove the bulb for inspection: H7/H4 (any H for that matter) means you have halogen, whereas D3S stands for xenon.

Mine doesn`t have any added lens and I presume are H7. Thank you. That was the answer I was looking for. I am looking at the Ring brand to buy the repacement. What dod you think?

These ones: https://www.amazon.co.uk/CCA-RING-Halogen-Headlamp-Xenon150/dp/B075N5J41L/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1513074745&sr=8-3-fkmr1&keywords=h7+ring+bulbs+super+white

 

I have not used any of their products so I can't make any comments. On my old Octavia 2 I changed the H7 bulbs (Philips I think) after a few years (both were still functional) with Osram Night breaker ("plus" or something, their product family name keeps evolving). It was noticeably better right away (not as much as their eye-watering claims on the package though). I loved them every moment and did not regret spending a little for such a clear improvement. (They are said to last less than OEM bulbs but I ran the car some 4 years after switching to Night breakers and they held on nicely; sold it one year ago and from what the buyer told me one of them failed some months ago; still, not bad if you ask me). Make sure to not touch the surface of the bulb when installing them as that shortens their life.

I bought these last year, older version I think. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B016OQPNUA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Seem good, no issues. Big improvement over the OEM.

9 hours ago, paulsoava said:

Halogens are fitted to projectors that have no lens, just the usual mirrors. HID (xenons) have the added lens to better concentrate the beam pattern. Also, you could just open the headlight lid and remove the bulb for inspection: H7/H4 (any H for that matter) means you have halogen, whereas D3S stands for xenon.

Also, can I put the xenons one if I do not have the added lenses?

45 minutes ago, decebal said:

Also, can I put the xenons one if I do not have the added lenses?

No.

Too difficult. Too expensive. Easier to change the car for one with the lights fitted at factory.

1 hour ago, Gerrycan said:

No.

Too difficult. Too expensive. Easier to change the car for one with the lights fitted at factory.

So, what is the difference between H7 halogen and H7 xenon? I know they have a different gas in them but don1t they do the same thing?

Not sure of the uk prices but its something like a 500 pound factory option if ordering a new car.

Legally you are required to have washers and a self levelling system.

Also it comes with a sophisticated mirror and control system to do the things I described before.

In other words it ain't just a different more powerful bulb you can install.

Just get the halogen upgrade and you will be fine.

+ 1, too much of a hassle to fit xenons. As for the product you quoted, it is ambiguosly described as xenon but under type they wrote halogen. It may just be a branding thing and actually contain halogen but give a "xenon" effect. It is however not the gas per se which influences the performance but rather the entire unit consisting of power source, metal coating, lens etc. The gas is just a part of it. (If I noted correctly, the ones you quoted only claim 350 hours of running time, which seems rather poor) Anyway, for a much better explanation of the different systems check this out: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/battle-of-the-headlights-halogen-vs-xenon-vs-led-26530.html

Edited 12 December, 20178 yr by paulsoava