The Ripper Posted July 30, 2012 Report Share Posted July 30, 2012 Hey Everyone, I've had a 2013 Edge for two months now, and it seems to me that the headlights are kind of shitty. And by shitty, I mean they're weak/soft/vague... basically NOT VERY BRIGHT. Had anyone else suspected that. I'm even thinking of going out and buying some other bulbs to try, but I have the feeling the bulbs for an Edge aren't just $10 bulbs. Any comments are appreciated. Andreas Lac du Bonnet, CANADA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott011422 Posted July 30, 2012 Report Share Posted July 30, 2012 Ripper, The bulbs in the edge are the brightest non hid bulbs you can get. They are 9012 HIR1's, running at 55 watt. A couple of things, If your new to projectors, they tend to take some time getting used to. Their beam is not typical of a halogen reflector and can seem to be dim based on the weird beam shape. Also, we just bought a 2013 last week and noticed the headlights are aimed WAY too high. May be something to look at. Should be 2 inches below the center of the projector lens at 20 feet. That also being said, my wife hates the dull yellow color so will be installing a 6k 55 watt HID system in it shortly. ( This will also make it a little brighter) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candurin Posted July 31, 2012 Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 Like Scott said. Go with HIDs and you'll be good to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingo Posted July 31, 2012 Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 I wish you didn't live in Canada. I have a set of hids to sell... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ripper Posted July 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 Thanks for the comments, folks. I think I'll try and lower the beam, and if they still seem dull, maybe I will go out and buy different bulbs. Be excellent to each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crikboy Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 I wish you didn't live in Canada. I have a set of hids to sell... how much do you want for the kit ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iqoair Posted December 2, 2012 Report Share Posted December 2, 2012 I also noticed our headlamps are aimed too high. On low beam going down the highway I must have had 1/2 a dozen cars flash me going down a 5 miles stretch. When the high beams don't seem to make a difference in brightness, you know there must be an issue. I haven't contacted ford yet about it, but I'm going to have to do something. I'm wondering if it's because we have the sport model and it's slightly taller with the bigger wheels and they didn't adjust the headlamps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishx65 Posted December 2, 2012 Report Share Posted December 2, 2012 Very easy is to adjust your headlights down. If you don't know much about cars, just take it to the dealer and they will aim them properly. With your projectors, the high beams do not get brighter they just allow the light to project higher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadioBob Posted October 17, 2013 Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 Hello to all of you frustrated with the less than spectacular performance of the headlights. I have owned my 2013 Ford Edge SEL for three months now and I just cannot get used to the headlight brightness (or rather, dimness) and the beam pattern. I think I could live with the pattern if the lights were just brighter. I have done a modest amount of searching online and talking to my service representative and parts department guys at the Ford dealership and I have learned that perphaps the Sylvania SilverStar Ultra 9012 is brighter than the OEM bulbs. Do any of you know this to be case? The online Sylvania bulb replacement guide indicated part number 9012, but I have not yet found it at any parts store. Do any of you know where I can purchase the Sylvania SilverStar 9012? The Ford parts guy sent me to Walmart and, in fact, they have SilverStar and they, in fact, show that 9012 is the replacement bulb, but there are none on the display rack and the parts guy had never heard of the 9012. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. RadioBob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyEdge Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 I have used the silverstar's in my previous cars and definately liked the output, much better than stock. I know at least with HID upgrades you can use a 9005 or 9006 size bulb as a replacement for the 9012's as I can't seem to find the silvestars in that size either. Honestly though, if you don't mind a little extra work on the installation for the price I would go with a full HID kit from DDMtuning.com. The 35w kit is only $29.99 + shipping and you will have a much better output than the silvertars alone which run around $35 depending on where you shop. -Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadioBob Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Thanks for your reply, Russ. I have heard and read horror stories about HID bulbs melting the OEM halogen headlight lenses. Is this really a safe upgrade? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyEdge Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 I haven't heard antyhing of that nature with HID's in these housings. Now I have heard of that if you were to install those horrible blue bulbs into a regular housing, i.e. ricer civic upgrades, but these are safe. Lots of people on here have the same HID kits or others and have not had any noted issues. I've had mine installed for about 6 months and going strong, others have had then for much longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candurin Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Don't confuse "xenon" bulbs with HID ballasts and bulbs. HIDs run the same wattage (and really close heat/temp) as stock incandescent, The crappy aftermarket xenon bulb are essentially blue coated bulbs (in order to created the white bluish light effect of HIDs). They then use higher wattage bulbs (65-85W) to compensate for loss of light/lumens caused by the blue coating. HIDs won't melt housings (you still need to be cautious if your installing in a 15w fog light housing), but doubling the wattage with crappy xenon bulbs will. I've been using 55w HIDs for over a year and a half with zero issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpgao Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 I wish you didn't live in Canada. I have a set of hids to sell... Dingo:what do you mean"wish you didn't live in Canada"? Is it illegal for use HID in Canada? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normcloutier Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 I think what Dingo meant is that if you lived in the USA, it would be easier to sell you his kit. To cross border ship to Canada would cost too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingo Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 I had to scroll back a year and a half, and but I meant the shipping thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droth33 Posted December 16, 2013 Report Share Posted December 16, 2013 So I've had my 2013 Edge Sport for a few months now and am disappointed by the seemingly low brightness.................since this thread is pretty old, do you guys still recommend the HID replacement solution? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgieguy Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Absolutely. Best lighting upgrade you can make. 35W or 55W the difference is amazing. A lot of people have used DDM HIDs me included and after 2 years the DDMs are beginning to fail, not a huge deal since they cost only $40 but its still a hassle. Morimoto seems to have a good name in HIDs now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arabski Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 +1 from my side here - lights in 2013 sport are BAD. I am looking for a set of HIDs but I am concern about the warranty and amount of modifications you need to make to fit 9006 bulbs into 9012 HIR projectors... is it that scary? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droth33 Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 (edited) I don't mind just changing bulbs, but if other gear (ballast units?) needs to be added, I'm losing interest. Edited December 18, 2013 by droth33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12Edge Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 (edited) I don't mind just changing bulbs, but if other gear (ballast units?) needs to be added, I'm losing interest. If you don't want to do any work then a HID upgrade is probably not for you. No matter what you have to mount a ballast and route the wires to and from it for the bulb/power. I think most of the direct plug in systems are having difficulty igniting so the only choice is to run a direct to battery wire and use a relay which means you have to route those wires from the battery/fuse box to each side which means a long wire across the front. Basically, if you want an effortless upgrade.... forget it. I did a full write-up on my upgrade on this board and you will see to do it VERY well takes time. If I just half assed it then it would still have taken a couple of hours. Edited December 18, 2013 by 12Edge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droth33 Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 If you don't want to do any work then a HID upgrade is probably not for you. No matter what you have to mount a ballast and route the wires to and from it for the bulb/power. I think most of the direct plug in systems are having difficulty igniting so the only choice is to run a direct to battery wire and use a relay which means you have to route those wires from the battery/fuse box to each side which means a long wire across the front. Basically, if you want an effortless upgrade.... forget it. I did a full write-up on my upgrade on this board and you will see to do it VERY well takes time. If I just half assed it then it would still have taken a couple of hours. Thanks 12Edge.................I'm just not equipped to do this kind of work (no garage..........no real tools.........no competency), so I'm glad I asked the questions........... I may purchase the parts and find a respected electrics shop and pay to have them installed, so just finding the best solution is a step forward for me. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candurin Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 You're talking yourself out of an excellent lighting upgrade. I did aftermarket hid cars on my last three vehicles. My first was in my parking lot in front of my first apartment (2001!). You don't need any tools. On some kits, the 9006 bulbs are a bitch to get in, but others have reported that the 9005 bulbs are much easier (no difference in performance). The only extra things you need are 3M dual lock fasteners (high strength Velcro) and some zip ties). This assumes you go with a 35w kit and no harness. It's completely plug and play (30 minute job). If you decide to go with a wire harness/relays then you only need a wrench (adjustable) to loosen the battery terminal connections in order to secure the wire harness. It's so much easier than you think. 12Edge did an elaborate setup (which looks great BTW). I took the easier method and purchased the TRS morimoto kit, which includes everything you need (and is fantastic quality). We can all walk you through it. It's worth an hour (being conservative) and $120 (max, there are cheaper kits) for the HUGE lighting improvement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droth33 Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 You're talking yourself out of an excellent lighting upgrade. I did aftermarket hid cars on my last three vehicles. My first was in my parking lot in front of my first apartment (2001!). You don't need any tools. On some kits, the 9006 bulbs are a bitch to get in, but others have reported that the 9005 bulbs are much easier (no difference in performance). The only extra things you need are 3M dual lock fasteners (high strength Velcro) and some zip ties). This assumes you go with a 35w kit and no harness. It's completely plug and play (30 minute job). If you decide to go with a wire harness/relays then you only need a wrench (adjustable) to loosen the battery terminal connections in order to secure the wire harness. It's so much easier than you think. 12Edge did an elaborate setup (which looks great BTW). I took the easier method and purchased the TRS morimoto kit, which includes everything you need (and is fantastic quality). We can all walk you through it. It's worth an hour (being conservative) and $120 (max, there are cheaper kits) for the HUGE lighting improvement. Thanks for the pep talk..............I can do it, once I have the right gear................sounds like the best solution might be the TRS morimoto kit and follow 12Edge's instructions. I just tried to find his instructions and can't locate...................can someone give a link so I can print the his instructions off? Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12Edge Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 (edited) Mine wired in directly to the fuse box, no battery connection and I put most of the harness inside the lamp housing itself. I also removed both headlights to do it. It was pretty intricate. You can just attach the relay and ballast to the inside body panel or side of the lamp housing. I noted in my install that I could have probably easily just poked a hole in the side of the lamp housing where the ballast is mounted and used a plastic push pin from an auto parts store. It really is a GREAT upgrade to the vehicle and seriously improves ability to see at night. I know Dan with http://www.daytimebrightlites.com/ posted a youtube video on his plug & play 35W kit install with no harness but I don't know where I saw that link now. Here is the link to my install: http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/13572-my-hid-upgrade-with-close-to-factory-lookoperation-for-80/ As Droth said, if you have any questions or concerns post them here and we will do our best to offer help, tips and suggestions. Edited December 19, 2013 by 12Edge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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