Stock XLT Headlights Question

[scoutexplorer]

Question: why are the stock hi-beams a different color then the low-beam lights? They are more yellow then the low beam lights; closer to the color of the fog lights.

I've read threads explaining the color of the factory fog lights but did not see anything on the hi-beams. Thanks.

 

[peterk9]

Question: why are the stock hi-beams a different color then the low-beam lights? They are more yellow then the low beam lights; closer to the color of the fog lights.

I've read threads explaining the color of the factory fog lights but did not see anything on the hi-beams. Thanks.

The low beams on the 2016 are LED and the high beams are Halogen.

Peter

 

[TinMan4154]

The low beams on the 2016 are LED and the high beams are Halogen.

Peter

This. And you can now order the Explorer with LED fogs, but you still get the halogen high beams.

 

[scoutexplorer]

Thanks for the quick replies.

Why did Ford go that route? Are there engineering limitations using LED for hi-beams? I can live with the fog lights being a different bulb technology and (gulp) even their appearance, but having a hard time with the appearance and range of the hi-beams.

 

[1995E]

Thanks for the quick replies.

Why did Ford go that route? Are there engineering limitations using LED for hi-beams? I can live with the fog lights being a different bulb technology and (gulp) even their appearance, but having a hard time with the appearance and range of the hi-beams.

There are two things. Ford made the current headlights with the police in mind. The police wanted wig wags. That's why they moved from projectors to reflectors and split the low beam and high beams (no longer the same bulb and unit). The high beams are halogen so that police can have their fancy wig wag.

That and I just feel like Ford likes to half ass everything at least something in the car. I think the F-150 has complete LED low and high beams.

 

[613GT500]

Question: why are the stock hi-beams a different color then the low-beam lights? They are more yellow then the low beam lights; closer to the color of the fog lights.

I've read threads explaining the color of the factory fog lights but did not see anything on the hi-beams. Thanks.

Another question, are the high beams even effective, considering the LEDs are already bright and has a fairly far range?

 

[Exit32]

Another question, are the high beams even effective, considering the LEDs are already bright and has a fairly far range?

I'd describe the high beams on my Platinum as "feeble" at best. Given the excellent LED low beams, I rarely use the halogen high beams. BTW, the halogen high-beam bulbs for the Explorer have "LL" as the bulb-number suffix. I believe LL means Long Life, thus these bulbs likely have thicker filaments that produce a warmer, more yellow light but last longer than brighter bulbs equipped with thinner filaments.

 

[matt88]

The high beams are useful for distance, since the LED low beams have a distinct horizontal cutoff. I will be upgrading my high beams to the Philips HIRs soon; still yellow but much brighter halogens: http://store.candlepower.com/hirlighting.html

 

[tmg19103]

It saves Ford money. Many car makes can have bi-xenons like my Saab (which LED's seem to be phasing out). Bi-xenons are always on high beam, but a shutter that is a shade covers the lens to make it low beam and when you flick on the high beams the shutter pops up to reveal the high beams.

This, however, is costly, so many car makes just have one intensity xenon as a low beam with no shutter and put a halogen next to it for high beam and that saves the car maker money on the bi-xenons.

Same concept with expensive LEDs. One for low beam provides great lighting, looks cool and white (as do xenons) but are expensive. Cheaper to add an additional halogen next to it for high beam as opposed to an additional LED.

 

[peterk9]

HID and LED are likely but a stepping stone to the ultimate headlight, Laser.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/laser-powered-headlight.htm

Peter