Hi,

I have a 98 outback limited. I want to upgrade my headlights and foglights to something that will increase vision on back country roads that frequently have fog conditions. Can anyone suggest replacement bulbs that are good for this but not illegal.

If you have suggestions please give exact model lights or bulbs that will install without any hassles.

Thanks, Ken

You might try the Sylvania SilverStars. A lot of people have been pleased with them. I put a couple in my wife's Honda van, but can't say I really noticed much difference. The light output was very good to begin with.

 

I'm running higher wattage bulbs in my 97 OB. The lenses are cloudy. The connector gets quite warm, but I haven't melted anything yet (knock wood).

 

Commuter

I agree with him, on the stars, but I am cheap, and did some comparisons based mainly on looks. and I bought "Super Blues" from walmart for $18 USD for a pair and I have noticed better illumination and distance out of my headlights.

Sorry I can't add much about the fogs I just adjusted mine up a bit and am happy with them so I left them alone.

I hear a lot of good things about the silverstars. I might give them a shot. What wattage should I get? Don't want to burn any wires. What is the stock voltage on the subaru's??

Ken

I agree with the "Silverstars". They put out a bluer/white light.

I was a bit taken back with the difference from the older bulb's

"yellowish" light. They are a bit more expensive but I think they

are worth it.

Stock wattage is 55/60W (or is it 45/60W in the USA?). Anyway, 60W maximum for headlight bulbs.

 

Higher wattage bulbs usually jump up to 80/100W. And "off road" use only. Once, I saw a 70/80W bulb, but I think it is quite rare.

 

The SilverStars are expensive. Sylvania also has another bulb in between a regular one and these. Cool Blue I think it's called. Their website gives the details.

 

Commuter

Bought the silverstars today. Installing tomorrow.

Will let you know what I think of them.

While on the subject:

Where can I order another keyless remote for my car.

Mine died today, replaced battery but It's shot!!

Ken

try eBay for remotes but FCC numbers on the back or something have to match.

I installed the silverstars in the headlights, and the cool blues in the fog/driving lights. I also adjusted the fog/driving lights to point a little more up (2 rotations on the adjustment screw). Light output does seem better.

 

Anyone know if the newer fog/driving lights fit in the '98 OBW? Mine have some small holes in them, and are really badly clouded. Or if someone has ever cleaned them inside and out, any advise would be appretiated.

I got the Sylvania XtraVision bulbs. They claim to be brighter by 20% than stock bulbs. The were $12.50 each at PepBoys.

 

Some of the other Sylvania bulbs are designed to look more like HID lamps, but the Xtravisions are designed purely for performance, not style.

 

After trying them, I believe the claim! They're great! Put them in my wife's Caravan the next day and the company van last week.

 

http://www.sylvania.com/auto/xtra.htm

Well, I put silverstars in the headlights and the fogs and what a difference!!! On back country roads the illumination is twice what i was getting from the stock bulbs. It was well worth the investment. Bought at autozone for $21.99 each, second bulb at half price and there is a $6 rebate on each set to boot. Not a bad deal at all.

Ken

My Xtravisions lasted less than a year, and burned out within minutes of each other... you may want to carry an extra set of something for backup.

 

http://usmb.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6237&highlight=sylvania

 

This thread talks a little bit about that. I think I may give them another try though, as the OEM ones are pretty dim. I'll still carry spares though. Anyone else have good luck with Xtravisions or Silverstars in the long term (> 1 year) ? Most people agree they're better (I'd say 20% is about right) but I haven't seen comments on long term use.

 

Steve

 

edit: To the question about changing fog lights (not just bulbs) on a '98 OB: We have Hella 500 fogs on our TS, and they're definitely better than the Subie OEM fogs. You'd have to fab a bracket of some sort, but it shouldn't be real hard. Their dimensions are similar to the '98 OB ones.

I don't care if they last less than a year, they're so much better on low beam than the original lights I'll spend another $25. For me that's roughly $0.001 per mile.

 

If the Silverstars are brighter I'd consider those. But I hate the glare from HID lights so I'd prefer to avoid something that even looks like them.