What is the HID Bulb Type in the Stinger?

[Marty17]

Hi guys, I was wondering if anybody knew what bulb type Kia used for their HID headlights in the Stinger. Thanks!

 

[CO-bound]

They're LED actually. No mention of brand or wattage in the manual.

 

[Chris]

I'm pretty sure the base models are HID are they not?

 

[Marty17]

I forgot to mention it’s the base 2.0. Sorry guys. I’m pretty sure they’re HIDs but not quite sure of the bulb type. I guess I’ll have to check sometime this week. I’ll report back for my fellow base model owners.

 

[CO-bound]

Oh you meant the base; base models use halogens, hb3 hl, 60 watt.

Maybe Kia included a colored reflector that makes them appear HID?

 

[Marty17]

Oh you meant the base; base models use halogens, hb3 hl, 60 watt.

Maybe Kia included a colored reflector that makes them appear HID?

CO-bound, is there a difference between HID and Bi-Xenons? I swear they are some sort of Bi-Xenon and not halogens.

***Edit*** it is the HB3 HL in the stinger base. Found it on the other site. Thanks CO!

 

[CO-bound]

You know, I wouldn't put it past Kia to add HID and not update the specs, lol.

 

[jimdr]

The low beams in my USA base Stinger are pretty good, but brighter would be better. Any suggestions for brighter substitutes?
Thanks
Jim

 

[Marty17]

The low beams in my USA base Stinger are pretty good, but brighter would be better. Any suggestions for brighter substitutes?
Thanks
Jim

I’m going to check out the headlights this weekend to make sure they are HB3. It’s weird that Kia would use halogens in a projector lense. I checked this morning to make sure that the bulb functions as both the Hi/Low beam and I’m pretty sure it does. I will report back this weekend when I get my hands in there.

 

[Marty17]

So yesterday I was able to take off the cover where the Bulbs are located and take some pictures with my phone. They are, infact, Sylvania HB3 HL+ (9005) 60w bulbs. Kia only uses one per side so no need for a hi/low combo. I’m going to go ahead and order some whiter 9005 bulbs and see if I like them. If not, it looks like it will have to be an HID upgrade.

 

[jimdr]

So will the high output bulbs from Phillips or Sylvania be brighter than stock? I have not been able to find Sylvania HB3 HL+ listed with an on line seller or the Sylvania site. Phillips claims large increase in brightness compared to a standard bulb, but is the Stinger bulb standard or?

 

[Marty17]

The owners manual says the base stinger uses HB3 HL+ bulbs which is a fancy way of saying 9005 standard bulbs. There is a motor in the headlight that flips it up for the high beams so there is only one bulb per side needed. I’m going to try the Phillips diamond vision and see they’re better/worse. The Phillips says 65w, which will be fine in the 60w. Life expectancy will go down but it’s only 30-40 bucks for the headlights. I expext some decrease in visibility at night but not too much since there’s already a projector lense. If it’s really that bad, I’ll go HID/LED. I still can’t beleive Kia put halogens in the base stinger when Honda/Toyota come standard now with LED lights....

 

[ImportSharkMike]

I believe HB3's have the same mounting socket as 9005. Just don't go from HID to aftermarket LED because the LED's don't project without a properly designed housing.

 

[Marty17]

LED would be a last resort...I think the Philips diamond vison will keep me happy for a little. You can’t beat a 40 buck headlight change!

 

[Daniel @ K8 Stinger Store]

LED would be a last resort...I think the Philips diamond vison will keep me happy for a little. You can’t beat a 40 buck headlight change!

LED light doesnt get thrown as well as HID in a halogen style set up/lens. If you decide to go LED do a comparison after, the light it MUCH brighter than stock halogen but again the light doesnt project as well

Here is the conversion kit you'd use to produce some brighter light using the 9005 HID option available in 4300k (OEM), 5500k (White), 6500k (Bluish white)!

Morimoto Elite Complete HID Conversion Kits

Edit: Realized low beams WERE halogen for the base model not HID

 

[Marty17]

**Update**

I just installed Philips diamond vision 9005 bulbs in the stinger. They look 100000x better now. It matches the LEDs now. Visibility is okay. It’s still very bright at night. For 40 dollars, you can’t beat this. It’s a must have.

 

[jimdr]

Is the access to the bulb from the wheel well?
If yes, did you need to remove the wheel or steer hard to the same or opposite direction?

 

[Marty17]

Is the access to the bulb from the wheel well?
If yes, did you need to remove the wheel or steer hard to the same or opposite direction?

Yes the access to the bulb is from the wheel well. I jacked up the side of the car and took off the wheels to get to it. I bet that you could just lock the wheels to the side and get to it. There should be plenty of space once there’s no load on the suspension.

 

[Scorpio Redux]

Before replacing headlight bulbs, is it necessary to disconnect the battery (to avoid, for instance, generating fault codes)?

 

[ImportSharkMike]

Before replacing headlight bulbs, is it necessary to disconnect the battery (to avoid, for instance, generating fault codes)?

Standard halogen headlights? If so, then definitely no need to disconnect the battery.