Hi,

How can I tell from a photo whether a 2012 has HID headlamps or not? Do the bubble bulbs on the outside of the lamp mean it's HID?

So this one here has HID:
http://www.lcpo.com/VehicleDetails/c...-NJ/1988198503

while this one here doesn't?
http://www.lcpo.com/VehicleDetails/c...-NJ/1987396313

 

If you go up to the FAQ thread you will find your answer there.

 

Ok, thanks. So I was actually wrong, the first one only has halogens, while the second one has HID.

 

Correct.




The '13 models I think would be really hard.

 

Looks like the same doesn't apply anymore to the 2013 models, both the halogens and HIDs are on the outside. Anybody have any recommendations how to distinguish those?

 

The comfort package includes HIDs along with the heated/ventilated seats and rain sensing wipers. That's an alternative way to figure it out. Also, three of the four available builds around here include the HIDs so it's more possible to have them than not.

 

Now you have to look inside the engine compartment at the rear of the headlight housing to determine what bulb you have. They are very different for each type. See these youtube videos on how to replace the HID bulb on a 2013-14 RX350. Watch the entire video. If yours look like these then you have HID bulbs. If not, then you have Halogen H11 bulbs. If you have HID you can get replacements from Amazon, stick with brand names. Note the back plates can vary in appearance on different model years.
​​​​​​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TvC9T0N14s

​​​​​​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2s2OBH33jA

 

Easiest way to tell - HID have two plugs side by side on the bottom

 

The provided hyperlinks are not showing anything about HID headlights?

 

Because the ones in the first post are 11 years old! The YouTube links in post 7 work and will tell you how to identify your headlights.
See this from the sticky threads link https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ifference.html

What are you trying to learn? What year is your RX? FYI HID bulbs get dimmer over time and should be replaced in pairs after about 5 years.
If you have HID headlights you will notice that the beams move up and down a bit when you turn them on.

​​​​​​
You can go to the Lexus drivers site linked below, join for free and enter the VIN of any Lexus and then it lets you see the build sheet that lists your options and dealer service history. The site is a bit cranky and does not always work, so you may have to try a couple of times. https://www.lexus.com/My-Lexus/account/create-account

​​​​​​To see the service history at Lexus Drivers do the following:
On the page that lists the car whose VIN you entered there will be a line that states
Vehicle Health Report
Learn More - click this box
Then on the next page it will state
My Service
On the right side it will state Service History
View History - click this box to see the service history
Then it will slowly take you to a page you need to scroll down to see the service history
Each entry will be a line, click on the + at the side to see more about each entry

 

The Lexus link you provided leads to a some entry page not relevant to the HID discussion?

 

The Lexus link works perfectly. I just tried it. If you read further and actually created an account as directed above you would not have ask that question!

The Lexus link opens to the sign in page or create an account page, but sometimes then flashes over to the page listing vehicles before going back to where you sign in or CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT.
You have to create a new account. Then as stated above, you enter the VIN which is your Vehicle Identification Number to find the build sheet which shows the options.
Among the options are HID headlights if you have them.

Good Luck as the lesson has ended.