Headlamp bulbs - Xenon or not?

[BERGS2]

I've got an '05 nissan pathfinder SVE -

bought a replacement bulb when one of the headlamps went - but now think that they may be xenons....

the new one in yellow(ish) & the existing ones are bright white.

do they need to match, or will i be F*cking it up?

cheers all

[CypherP]

Why don't you just check your handbook?

[The Wookie]

Sounds like you've either replaced the bulb with a cheapo one, or a previous owner fitted blue tinted bulbs to make it look like Xenons.

Safe to say that normal bulbs aren't compatible with Xenons though. If they fitted (which I don't think they do) then I doubt they'd work or last very long if they did

[Fahd]

The Wookie said:

Sounds like you've either replaced the bulb with a cheapo one, or a previous owner fitted blue tinted bulbs to make it look like Xenons.

Safe to say that normal bulbs aren't compatible with Xenons though. If they fitted (which I don't think they do) then I doubt they'd work or last very long if they did

^ What he said. Xenons don't fit in Halogen bulb holders. Your old bulbs must be the fake xenon-white type whereas you've just bought a normal replacement one.

[Big Rod]

Xenons or HIDs work off around 25Kv. H4s and the like work off 12v.

I figure there's no compatibility either way.

[BERGS2]

CypherP said:

Why don't you just check your handbook?

coz Xenon Headlamps were an option

[BERGS2]

Big Rod said:

Xenons or HIDs work off around 25Kv. H4s and the like work off 12v.

I figure there's no compatibility either way.

cool thanks

[varsas]

There are three types of car headlamp (well, 5 but your pathfinder won't have sealed beam or LED lights)

Halogen, 'normal' 12v bulbs. The 'H' in H1,H3,H4 (H2 are not in use anymore) etc stands for halogen.

Xenon. Replacement for normal halogen bulbs. Road legal when 'E' marked, the bulb is filled with xenon gas instead of halogen. The light they emit is a bit brighter/whiter then a halogen bulb. I suspect this is what you had. Something like the osram nightbraker.

HID (High Intensity Discharge) or 'xenons'. These work in a very different way to 'normal' lights. If a standard bulb you bought in halfords works in your car you don't have these.