The headlights on my 2005 LS430 (150k Ultra) are one of my great pleasures... Super-wide and very bright. The low beams do not go all that far, but they are bright, and overall I've never been in another car where I can see so well at night. AFS (swivelling headlights in turns) is icing on the cake.

Tonight the lights seemed dimmer. Almost like regular halogens, yellower than the usual bright white and less intense. Hard to see far!! Wondering if it is my eyes going (I am in my 50's)... but thinks don't look darker in general, just my path.

I've noticed some change in past, but it was not as pronounced... Battery is brand new, BTW, and strong.

So:
(1) Am I imagining this? (I mean, is it likely that the lights really are changing)?
(2) Is it time to replace bulbs?
(3) If I go to dealer, will they use OEM that is likely to restore what I remember from years ago? Amazing night vision... broad and bright and hi beams far. Or just some random brand, no better than my old bulbs?
(4) if not a dealer, should I buy OE parts?
(4) Dimming/diminution seems on both regular and high beams. Is that reasonable? Are there two bulbs per side (high and regular) or one? I thought high beams were halogen, which is making me wonder if I am just nuts here...

I really love driving this car relative to others at night. The light usually make me feel safe and secure, and it is not a small effect to really see the road and upcoming curves, etc. And they WORK. But it doesn't feel right just now.

Thoughts appreciated.

 

Most likely #2.

Recent headlight thread:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ad-lights.html


Edit: just actually read your entire post 😅
if both highs and lows are dimmer maybe het your battery and alternator tested?

 

Low beam uses a D2S HID bulb and high beam uses a separate 9005 halogen bulb.
Bulbs do deteriorate over time, but not so fast as to be noticeable.
If both seem to be dimmer, it's either your perception/eyesight or you need to take your shades off <LOL>
Yes, I once drove home with my shades on and didn't notice it getting dark until I turned the headlights off when I got home. Good headlights on the LS430.

 

Thanks. Will check a few more nights in various conditions to ensure it is not a one off. Alternator replaced in August and battery is new. No sunglasses. "but not so fast as to be noticeable" meaning they don't dim appreiably, or they dim but you don't realize it because it creeps up on you and they grow dim and you might not realize it?

 

They dim over time, the ones in there are over 15 years old now. New ones are shockingly brighter