Notices
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013) Discussion about the 2006+ model IS models

Do I have HIDs?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 19, 2012 | 10:04 PM
  #1  
jooksingja's Avatar
jooksingja
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Default Do I have HIDs?

Hello,

I have a 2007 Lexus IS250 from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I would like to know if anyone call tell if I have HIDs just by looking at my headlight?



Thank you!
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2012 | 10:07 PM
  #2  
Fizzboy7's Avatar
Fizzboy7
Lexus Test Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 241
From: California
Default

Doesn't look like it. Turn on the headlights to see. It will be quite obvious.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2012 | 10:16 PM
  #3  
sallydrive's Avatar
sallydrive
Driver
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default

If your light is yellowish white, then you don't. if your light is bluish white you do! At least if it's stock bulb.

People think that just because there's a projector (ball bulb) it's a HID but that's not always the case.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2012 | 10:35 PM
  #4  
jooksingja's Avatar
jooksingja
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Default

Thank you for the clarification guys.

If I wanted to change the headlights to a more bluish color, w/o going to the HID route, which bulbs should I be changing?
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2012 | 11:06 PM
  #5  
Sango's Avatar
Sango
Pole Position
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,382
Likes: 8
From: Vancouver, BC / Seattle, WA
Default

sallydrive,

Note quite because depends on when Lexus changed their stock light to Toshiba, Philips HID stock was like yellowish white as well.
----

If you hear the hum (car off) when HID is on, you have HID. Or when you turn the HID on (car off) you should hear the spark like sound.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2012 | 11:43 PM
  #6  
Kauro's Avatar
Kauro
Pole Position
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: CA
Default

Go with the HID route, spend another 20-30 dollar on top of what you were going to pay for the bulb. Lots of vendors here that sells the kit. You wont regret it.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2012 | 04:10 PM
  #7  
sallydrive's Avatar
sallydrive
Driver
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default

Originally Posted by Sango
sallydrive,

Note quite because depends on when Lexus changed their stock light to Toshiba, Philips HID stock was like yellowish white as well.
----

If you hear the hum (car off) when HID is on, you have HID. Or when you turn the HID on (car off) you should hear the spark like sound.
Oh, I didn't know that. But the sound thing I, forgot to mention that. Sorry, I thought I knew my answer.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2012 | 05:45 PM
  #8  
fraga's Avatar
fraga
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Tx
Default

An easy way to tell...turn them on after they've been off for a while...you should see them fade on...not instantly turn on full...and color usually gives them away...I own an 08'...and the color is a nice bright white slightly blue...halogen bulbs are usually yellowish leaning...
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2012 | 10:44 PM
  #9  
Kurtz's Avatar
Kurtz
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 7,810
Likes: 14
From: NC
Default

Originally Posted by fraga
An easy way to tell...turn them on after they've been off for a while...you should see them fade on...not instantly turn on full...and color usually gives them away...I own an 08'...and the color is a nice bright white slightly blue...halogen bulbs are usually yellowish leaning...
An even easier way to tell-

The easiest is for 2011+ cars: If you have a 350 you have HIDs, period. If you have a 250 and have LED strips you have HIDs. If you don't, you don't.

Next easiest (for 06)- If your car has memory seats, it has HIDs. If not it doesn't.

And only slightly less easy, for the 07-10 guys without memory seats (because again if you have em, you have HIDs for all years):

Look through the menu options on the multi-switch. If you see AFS ON/OFF you have HIDs. If you don't, you don't have em.

the multi-switch is the thing to the left of the steering wheel that looks like <o>

For the life of me I can't figure out why people stand around trying to judge if they have HIDs by the color of the light or the amount of hum it makes when they can just check if the AFS item is there. No AFS=No HIDs for all pre-11 years... and No LED strip=No HIDS for 11+
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2012 | 12:50 AM
  #10  
Sango's Avatar
Sango
Pole Position
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,382
Likes: 8
From: Vancouver, BC / Seattle, WA
Default

^ Kurtz, good point. I guess you possibly the extra set to step through the menu perhaps since you have to press the on button first.

One thing that just brought to my mind is why, why does the owner not know they had HID in the first place? One could say, did not know features the car comes with before purchasing? Also once could call Lexus and asked for the spec based on the VIN# provided.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2012 | 12:39 PM
  #11  
tex2670's Avatar
tex2670
Lexus Champion
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,001
Likes: 85
From: Southeastern PA
Default

Originally Posted by Kurtz
An even easier way to tell-

The easiest is for 2011+ cars: If you have a 350 you have HIDs, period. If you have a 250 and have LED strips you have HIDs. If you don't, you don't.

Next easiest (for 06)- If your car has memory seats, it has HIDs. If not it doesn't.

And only slightly less easy, for the 07-10 guys without memory seats (because again if you have em, you have HIDs for all years):

Look through the menu options on the multi-switch. If you see AFS ON/OFF you have HIDs. If you don't, you don't have em.

the multi-switch is the thing to the left of the steering wheel that looks like <o>

For the life of me I can't figure out why people stand around trying to judge if they have HIDs by the color of the light or the amount of hum it makes when they can just check if the AFS item is there. No AFS=No HIDs for all pre-11 years... and No LED strip=No HIDS for 11+
Do all HID's in all years auto level? If so, if you lights move up and down at startup, I think that's the easiest way to determine...
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2012 | 12:40 PM
  #12  
tex2670's Avatar
tex2670
Lexus Champion
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,001
Likes: 85
From: Southeastern PA
Default

Originally Posted by Sango
^ Kurtz, good point. I guess you possibly the extra set to step through the menu perhaps since you have to press the on button first.

One thing that just brought to my mind is why, why does the owner not know they had HID in the first place? One could say, did not know features the car comes with before purchasing? Also once could call Lexus and asked for the spec based on the VIN# provided.
VIN and call Lexus?? That's easier than all the other solutions? Again, if your lights move up and down for auto level, isn't that the end of the inquiry?
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2012 | 12:56 PM
  #13  
Sango's Avatar
Sango
Pole Position
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,382
Likes: 8
From: Vancouver, BC / Seattle, WA
Default

Originally Posted by tex2670
VIN and call Lexus?? That's easier than all the other solutions? Again, if your lights move up and down for auto level, isn't that the end of the inquiry?
I believe so but I do not recall if non HID also auto levels.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BBLexus
Lighting
7
Jan 20, 2025 07:55 PM
hsmac
RX - 3rd Gen (2010-2015)
18
Apr 15, 2017 04:13 AM
VNN326
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
5
May 15, 2008 04:33 AM
ByoungWoo
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
14
Sep 20, 2006 02:10 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:33 AM.