[Hmilton]

Daughter called, one low beam is out and the other is dim. The dim bulb had a discolored glass envelope. Replaced with H7 SilverStar Ultra from Walmart ($47/pair retail). I got them for free, but that's another story. Here is the replacement procedure. Super easy, no tools required!

2009 Smart Car Headlight Bulb Replacement

 

[mattwithcats]

Just make sure you don't get any fingerprints on the glass of the bulb.

The skin oils will cause premature failure...

Great bulbs!

 

[NCC1701]

Very nice step-by-step. I've had more practice than I'd like. But, I wish I'd seen something like this before I made my first change.

 

[Brabus007]

Buy 6 and have enough to last 100,000 Miles... Smart Cars are like that...hmmmmm
http://www.meritline.com/h7-12v-55w-car-super-white-light-bulb---p-60509.aspx

 

[NCC1701]

Buy 6 and have enough to last 100,000 Miles...

Hmmm. Six would last me about 3 years, or 36,000 miles.

 

[SmartDigger]

HID and forget it. About the same price as replacing all the blow outs.....

 

[NCC1701]

HID and forget it. About the same price as replacing all the blow outs.....

I'm almost sure you're right. The main reason I haven't done it yet is concern about blinding oncoming traffic. I see a lot of HIDs that irritate me with their glare and I don't want to be one of them.

 

[JohnnyM]

I just changed another set of lamps a couple of days ago. Very nice how to photos!

 

[smark]

6 last me 4.5 years.

 

[Hmilton]

Buy 6 and have enough to last 100,000 Miles... Smart Cars are like that...hmmmmm
http://www.meritline.com/h7-12v-55w-car-super-white-light-bulb---p-60509.aspx

The two reviews on this link say they last 2 months and melt the socket.

 

[shack01]

Thanks HMilton !

Excellent review and very timely. Just replaced both low beams in 30 minutes or less (including the round trip to O'Reilly's !) Couldn't have done it as easily without your tutorial. Went with a mid-range upgrade Sylvania that only set me back $32 for the pair.

BTW, in the wife's '08, the tab goes at about 4 o'clock (as viewed from the front of the vehicle)

Mission complete and more importantly, Wifey Likey!

tm

 

[ssppxyz]

Heavy duty bulbs for off-road motorcycles (Heavier Filament?)...

Light Bulbs - H7 HEAVY DUTY HALOGEN BULB 12V 55W : H755BP Jazz Motorsports
Product Model: H755BP

GE H7-55/BP is standard duty and also available from Philips, Hella, Etc...

Hella also makes an off-road 100W H7 bulb...It would run too hot IMHO...

My smart had GE H7 (made in Hungary) as the original OEM bulb.

 

[NCC1701]

Heavy duty bulbs for off-road motorcycles (Heavier Filament?)...

Intriguing. Looking forward to others' thoughts on this.

 

[Hmilton]

Long Life Bulb Contest?

Thanks HMilton ! Couldn't have done it as easily without your tutorial.

Glad it helped.

Here's a link to what is claimed to be a H7 Long Life Bulb:
Narva® Long Life H7 55w Bulb
Data Sheet
Claims to last 930 hours, DOT certified & 1500 Lumens. If these do burn out frequently, planning for the next lamp change may be in order.

Let's see who can find the DOT certified bulb with the longest life rating.

 

[Hmilton]

H7 OSRAM Ultra Life 12V 55W Bulb Longest Lasting Bulb?

At 3000 hours, is H7 OSRAM Ultra Life 12V 55W Bulb the longest lasting H7 bulb? :huh:

H7 Long Life Bulb List

 

[chieftmc]

Wholesale Digital Slim H7 HID Xenon Conversion Kits/Headlights

Install and forgitaboutit

AND cheaper than the Ultra's

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Properly adjusted (and properly made) HID lamps won't blind traffic.

I've had two* versions of Uptown Dog Co's HID set in my car since delivery and couldn't be happier. You can see wider, farther, and with a much much longer lifespan.

*My first set (his Gen 1 set) began to dim prematurely, so he sent me his new (gen 2) kit right to my door! His new kit features mini ballasts that mount flush to the rubber grommets so it's airtight and very clean!

And installation is not really much work at all! They come with an easy to read instruction sheet too.

Cut a hole in the grommet.
Screw in the ballast.
Connect all connections.
Enjoy! Done in less than 30 minutes

You'd have the same kit that others sell for $250 but for much less dough!

 

[ml9204]

Perfect! 10 minutes to go buy the new bulbs...5 minutes to remove the cover, pull the old ones insert the new ones, replace them and close the cover. Thank you!

 

[trashguy]

I recommend doing it when the vehicle is cold, especially if its the drive side. Learned that quickly the first time