RX 350 HID bulb replacement
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 124
Likes: 50
From: BC Canada
RX 350 HID bulb replacement
Hi Everyone,
I thought that my night vision was starting to fail as for several months, I've had difficulty seeing at night while driving my 2008 Lexus RX350. When I first bought it, I was amazed at the great lighting that the HID plasma bulbs provided. I guess that over the years, they've gradually dimmed even though it wasn't obvious. I did a bit of research and several articles mentioned that the life expectancy of the bulbs was about 4 to 5 years. Not sure if this is true, as it is probably more related to how long they're actually on rather than the years in the vehicle, but decided to replace the bulbs just in case. Bought a pair of Philips OEM bulbs on Amazon and installed them today. Wow! My night vision has returned. Best investment of $60 per bulb.
But...if you do the replacement yourself, be prepared for learning some new words, especially if you have larger hands. Getting to the bulb and replacing it is somewhat trickier than the instructions in the Lexus factory manual or in the instructions you'll find on the web. You are mostly doing the work without being able to view what you're working on. If you have an inspection mirror and a bright work light, that really helps. If anyone is interested, I can post some instructions.
Bob
I thought that my night vision was starting to fail as for several months, I've had difficulty seeing at night while driving my 2008 Lexus RX350. When I first bought it, I was amazed at the great lighting that the HID plasma bulbs provided. I guess that over the years, they've gradually dimmed even though it wasn't obvious. I did a bit of research and several articles mentioned that the life expectancy of the bulbs was about 4 to 5 years. Not sure if this is true, as it is probably more related to how long they're actually on rather than the years in the vehicle, but decided to replace the bulbs just in case. Bought a pair of Philips OEM bulbs on Amazon and installed them today. Wow! My night vision has returned. Best investment of $60 per bulb.
But...if you do the replacement yourself, be prepared for learning some new words, especially if you have larger hands. Getting to the bulb and replacing it is somewhat trickier than the instructions in the Lexus factory manual or in the instructions you'll find on the web. You are mostly doing the work without being able to view what you're working on. If you have an inspection mirror and a bright work light, that really helps. If anyone is interested, I can post some instructions.
Bob
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 124
Likes: 50
From: BC Canada
This is the link to Amazon.com for a single OEM bulb supplied by Amazon. You can also buy them as a two pack for a bit of a discount but they are provided by a third party. The bulb is a Philips D2S Xenon HID headlight bulb. Beware that there are lots of fakes out there that say they are made by Philips. Again you can search the net to show you how to detect the fakes.
Bob
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
These are the OEM bulbs for $85.00
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...l#.VoaEelKumwh
Just installed them.....they also have many other options, some cheaper, some not.
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...l#.VoaEelKumwh
Just installed them.....they also have many other options, some cheaper, some not.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 517
Likes: 13
From: Arizona
You don't have to remove anything other than the dust cap to replace the bulb. It is a bit of a tight squeeze though. Watch a video or look at some pictures so that you know what you are doing. Some of it has to be done by feel.
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Rookie
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 75
Likes: 3
From: MN
On my 09, I have the AFS HID and it will move back and forward when you start it up.
Last edited by bigboss; Mar 31, 2016 at 06:16 AM.
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 214
Likes: 14
From: LA
Is it possible to install HID if the RX doesn't come with HID.....; is it plug and play?
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 75
Likes: 3
From: MN
yes,
if you go with OEM, you will need to rewire the lines and buy new headlight housing and ballast. ~$2k-$3k
if you go with HID retrofit, it won't be as good as OEM but its a cheaper alternative. they can range from $20 to $120. the cheaper the kit, the less quality the temperature color and strength is. They are plug and play. The new hype is LED now.
if you go with OEM, you will need to rewire the lines and buy new headlight housing and ballast. ~$2k-$3k
if you go with HID retrofit, it won't be as good as OEM but its a cheaper alternative. they can range from $20 to $120. the cheaper the kit, the less quality the temperature color and strength is. They are plug and play. The new hype is LED now.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: CA
New here, and glad that I came across this thread. I have a 2008 RX 350.
Pretty sure I have the HID. They're white, vs the yellowish white for the high beam.
I suspect that the HID bulbs are a lot dimmer than they're supposed to be. Maybe this is a naive question, but how can I tell objectively if this is the case? They haven't ever been replaced in 12 or so years.
Also, if I were to want to replace them, are there any good resources out there? Haven't had much luck with YouTube.
Pretty sure I have the HID. They're white, vs the yellowish white for the high beam.
I suspect that the HID bulbs are a lot dimmer than they're supposed to be. Maybe this is a naive question, but how can I tell objectively if this is the case? They haven't ever been replaced in 12 or so years.
Also, if I were to want to replace them, are there any good resources out there? Haven't had much luck with YouTube.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,997
Likes: 610
From: The Jet City
New here, and glad that I came across this thread. I have a 2008 RX 350.
Pretty sure I have the HID. They're white, vs the yellowish white for the high beam.
I suspect that the HID bulbs are a lot dimmer than they're supposed to be. Maybe this is a naive question, but how can I tell objectively if this is the case? They haven't ever been replaced in 12 or so years.
Also, if I were to want to replace them, are there any good resources out there? Haven't had much luck with YouTube.
Pretty sure I have the HID. They're white, vs the yellowish white for the high beam.
I suspect that the HID bulbs are a lot dimmer than they're supposed to be. Maybe this is a naive question, but how can I tell objectively if this is the case? They haven't ever been replaced in 12 or so years.
Also, if I were to want to replace them, are there any good resources out there? Haven't had much luck with YouTube.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: CA
I'd replace them since tis been 12+ years......D2S is the bulbs you'll need....Since your there, I'd replace the foglites w/ Sylvania Zevo Led 9006 bulbs as well......Use a pr of latex gloves. Replace them same as regular bulbs. I even replaced the parking bulbs w/ led bulbs too....
I opened up the hood and it doesn't seem like there's easy access to the bulbs. Would I have to do a lot of disassembly?