2011 e350 headlight issue
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2011 e350 headlight issue
Hi. My wife and I recently bought a 2011 e350 xl van. She has noticed that the stock headlights don't do much out here in rural nc. I was going to replace them with a 100/90w bulb. My issue is that people flash her now with just the low beams on because the van is so high. So it may be even worse with 100/90 bulbs.
My question is what have people done here. Upgraded lightbulbs? LED strips across grill, mounted fog lights underneath?
Thanks Bill
My question is what have people done here. Upgraded lightbulbs? LED strips across grill, mounted fog lights underneath?
Thanks Bill
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 246
Likes: 3
Never had a problem with stock headlights, running many miles through lots of rural areas. It could be eyesight issues rather than a problem with the lighting. Only other thing that comes to mind is if the lenses are fogged due to high miles or sun exposure. I've tried the lens cleaning kits with limited success, but the best solution is new headlight assemblies. Expensive unfortunately.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2,196
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From: N Ca.
I thought mine were bad until they replaced the lenses in my eyes.
I did them one at a time. One eye was yellowish and one worked great until they did the second one. I had forgotten how white my cabinets were!
Getting old sucks but TECH rules!!
I did them one at a time. One eye was yellowish and one worked great until they did the second one. I had forgotten how white my cabinets were!
Getting old sucks but TECH rules!!
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 906
Likes: 1
Hi. My wife and I recently bought a 2011 e350 xl van. She has noticed that the stock headlights don't do much out here in rural nc. I was going to replace them with a 100/90w bulb. My issue is that people flash her now with just the low beams on because the van is so high. So it may be even worse with 100/90 bulbs.
My question is what have people done here. Upgraded lightbulbs? LED strips across grill, mounted fog lights underneath?
Thanks Bill
My question is what have people done here. Upgraded lightbulbs? LED strips across grill, mounted fog lights underneath?
Thanks Bill
First, make sure the lights are aimed correctly. Get the test done with the van loaded with its normal distribution of load; weight distribution can really affect pointing the beams.
Next, you can mount driving lights/fog lights but get them aimed correctly as well. The beam on the newer lights can be narrower and pointed to light your side of the road better than the older stock headlights. Being mounted lower helps keep the light low for oncoming traffic. jim
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 504
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From: West Texas
let there be light
It sounds like the headlights are aimed too high:
Oncoming drivers flashing high beams, combined with poor on-road light levels, is a sure sign that the beams (one or both) are set too high.
If they are the aero style, then its possible that the lenses are fogged...check that first.
If your van has the standard 6054 style glass sealed beams, you can easily swap these for better units, with much better lighting, for $40-$50. XL package will probably not have these but I'm including it for others who may read this thread.
You should NOT put high wattage (off road) bulbs in the stock housings with stock connectors and stock SJB drive circuitry.
Recipe for trouble.
Oncoming drivers flashing high beams, combined with poor on-road light levels, is a sure sign that the beams (one or both) are set too high.
If they are the aero style, then its possible that the lenses are fogged...check that first.
If your van has the standard 6054 style glass sealed beams, you can easily swap these for better units, with much better lighting, for $40-$50. XL package will probably not have these but I'm including it for others who may read this thread.
You should NOT put high wattage (off road) bulbs in the stock housings with stock connectors and stock SJB drive circuitry.
Recipe for trouble.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
There's not a lot out there today who know anything about this much less able or willing to perform what is basically a simple task.
I'd check YouTube for a few how-to's----I do mine by a trial and error process and it works for me in my location and driving style.
I'd check YouTube for a few how-to's----I do mine by a trial and error process and it works for me in my location and driving style.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2014
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From: West Texas
headlight fluid
Any competent dealership or auto service garage should be able to check this for you, and make the adjustment if that's whats needed. But before you go in there with your wallet open, you should find a plain wall or garage door to pull up to at night, about 25 feet from it on a level surface and with lights on low beam, check to see if one of them is aimed too high. It should be obvious if one or maybe both are aimed too high.
You can do the adjustment yourself, but if you are asking how it's done, then I think you should take it to a mechanic for this one.
You can do the adjustment yourself, but if you are asking how it's done, then I think you should take it to a mechanic for this one.
New User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: DE
Good afternoon,
I have a 2010 E350 and I run 55 watt HID 8000K low beams and halagon high beams. I also have 2 4" LED Fog Lights in the grill and a 22" LED Light Bar in the front opening of the bumper. You can aim them down to avoid being flashed. That is what I did. Still throws off tons of light
I have a 2010 E350 and I run 55 watt HID 8000K low beams and halagon high beams. I also have 2 4" LED Fog Lights in the grill and a 22" LED Light Bar in the front opening of the bumper. You can aim them down to avoid being flashed. That is what I did. Still throws off tons of light
New User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 12
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From: DE
55Watt Xenon Light HID Kit Digital Metal 55W AC 6000K 8000K 10000K 12000K 30000 | eBay
You will also need to get a anti flicker kit.
Kensun HID Kit Computer Warning Canceller Anti Flicker 1 Pair | eBay
All really easy to install. I will post pics later of mine tonight once I'm done work.
You will also need to get a anti flicker kit.
Kensun HID Kit Computer Warning Canceller Anti Flicker 1 Pair | eBay
All really easy to install. I will post pics later of mine tonight once I'm done work.
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