Mazda Headlights are dim
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 1
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From: Vancouver BC
Also the adapter is stupid. Just design a headlight that fits standard bulbs, no need to make it complicated.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 1
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From: Texas
Dim Headlights/2010 CX7: H7 vs HID-D2S Headlamps
Purchased a 2010 Mazda CX7 for our youngest back in 2022 and the lights being dim have always been an issue- I replaced with H7 headlamps with no luck. Sorry if I missed it or if someone else covered this; with others having this issue, have others reinstalled using the HID-D2S headlamps that seems to be called for regarding this model that has projector type lights? If so did this help or did lights still stay dim? Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 10,334
Likes: 198
From: Northern California
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 1
From: SNJ
Welcome to the forum
Its NOT a chronic problem but it is an issue with many platforms from low maintenance of cleaning and at times polishing the lens. Most people seem to judge the "lumens" of a head light by comparing models of other platforms and also same model and year as an example Mazda. Seems this is a Mazda forum I will try to keep the explanation as close to Mazda only as possible. The lights or better the bulbs are standard set by the manufacture based on laws and regulation in the country they are being sold in. So while I only really know the USA that all I will be talking about. Each state in the USA also has set vehicle codes that stipulate how bright a head light or addition driving lights can be as well. So that said in all cases i the shop when we often get customers in with complaints and suggestion that their headlights are not working very well we look at a few things. The battery, the charging system, the condition of the headlight and or driving lights. If all are in working order and the customer still complain and states seeing on the internet it is a "chronic" issues Our conclusion along with hundreds or thousands of service shops in the US is customers have become human comparing exp[erts when it come to head light illumination. They see other platforms and model and compare their headlight brightness and clarity to them. This is fundamental wrong for so many reasons. The one being is all those other platforms and models still comply with the latest FEDERAL REQUIREMENT given to the auto manufactures for what is allowed in this country (USA) for headlight illumination). While it has slowly increased over the years and decades this presents the problem with some they compare and thus conclude that their Mazda has a "chronic" illumination problems.[color=#c0392b] They don't.
You can measure the brightness of your headlights using a light meter to measure the lux and lumens of your headlight or have a shop that has the light meter, or you can purchase one of the inexpensive one and do your own testing. However, to be accurate you must find the same year model and condition headlight as yours. If a few did this and all other factors or the electrical system and head light are good, then you would find that NO it is not a
CHRONIC" problem and that your model and year Mazda has exactly what it is supposed to.
I should also mention that those that change their headlights to increase from the factory lumens are in effect modifying the headlights in some states it is a vehcle code violation. As weel should you cause or get into an accident, and it is found that the headlight was part of what caused the accident and that you modified them from OEM you may be the responsible person for that accident and held accountable.
SNJ 67 Pa. Code § 175.66. Lighting and electrical systems. (pacodeandbulletin.gov)
Below is a great article that may support a little more explanation of headlight lumens and other good information. While I very seldom use WWW examples to support anything I post if I were to write a technical article this one would be close to what I would write and have and ASE review before publication.
How Many Lumens Is a Car Headlight? (Brightness Guide 2024) - Carlightvision
ASE
Posts: 1
From: SNJ
Its NOT a chronic problem but it is an issue with many platforms from low maintenance of cleaning and at times polishing the lens. Most people seem to judge the "lumens" of a head light by comparing models of other platforms and also same model and year as an example Mazda. Seems this is a Mazda forum I will try to keep the explanation as close to Mazda only as possible. The lights or better the bulbs are standard set by the manufacture based on laws and regulation in the country they are being sold in. So while I only really know the USA that all I will be talking about. Each state in the USA also has set vehicle codes that stipulate how bright a head light or addition driving lights can be as well. So that said in all cases i the shop when we often get customers in with complaints and suggestion that their headlights are not working very well we look at a few things. The battery, the charging system, the condition of the headlight and or driving lights. If all are in working order and the customer still complain and states seeing on the internet it is a "chronic" issues Our conclusion along with hundreds or thousands of service shops in the US is customers have become human comparing exp[erts when it come to head light illumination. They see other platforms and model and compare their headlight brightness and clarity to them. This is fundamental wrong for so many reasons. The one being is all those other platforms and models still comply with the latest FEDERAL REQUIREMENT given to the auto manufactures for what is allowed in this country (USA) for headlight illumination). While it has slowly increased over the years and decades this presents the problem with some they compare and thus conclude that their Mazda has a "chronic" illumination problems.[color=#c0392b] They don't.
You can measure the brightness of your headlights using a light meter to measure the lux and lumens of your headlight or have a shop that has the light meter, or you can purchase one of the inexpensive one and do your own testing. However, to be accurate you must find the same year model and condition headlight as yours. If a few did this and all other factors or the electrical system and head light are good, then you would find that NO it is not a
CHRONIC" problem and that your model and year Mazda has exactly what it is supposed to.
I should also mention that those that change their headlights to increase from the factory lumens are in effect modifying the headlights in some states it is a vehcle code violation. As weel should you cause or get into an accident, and it is found that the headlight was part of what caused the accident and that you modified them from OEM you may be the responsible person for that accident and held accountable.
SNJ 67 Pa. Code § 175.66. Lighting and electrical systems. (pacodeandbulletin.gov)
Below is a great article that may support a little more explanation of headlight lumens and other good information. While I very seldom use WWW examples to support anything I post if I were to write a technical article this one would be close to what I would write and have and ASE review before publication.
How Many Lumens Is a Car Headlight? (Brightness Guide 2024) - Carlightvision
ASE
Last edited by Callisto; Oct 19, 2024 at 10:16 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Best option is direct replacement with super bright LED
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 1
From: SNJ
Welcome to the forum
Its NOT a chronic problem but it is an issue with many platforms from low maintenance of cleaning and at times polishing the lens. Most people seem to judge the "lumens" of a head light by comparing models of other platforms and also same model and year as an example Mazda. Seems this is a Mazda forum I will try to keep the explanation as close to Mazda only as possible. The lights or better the bulbs are standard set by the manufacture based on laws and regulation in the country they are being sold in. So while I only really know the USA that all I will be talking about. Each state in the USA also has set vehicle codes that stipulate how bright a head light or addition driving lights can be as well. So that said in all cases i the shop when we often get customers in with complaints and suggestion that their headlights are not working very well we look at a few things. The battery, the charging system, the condition of the headlight and or driving lights. If all are in working order and the customer still complain and states seeing on the internet it is a "chronic" issues Our conclusion along with hundreds or thousands of service shops in the US is customers have become human comparing exp[erts when it come to head light illumination. They see other platforms and model and compare their headlight brightness and clarity to them. This is fundamental wrong for so many reasons. The one being is all those other platforms and models still comply with the latest FEDERAL REQUIREMENT given to the auto manufactures for what is allowed in this country (USA) for headlight illumination). While it has slowly increased over the years and decades this presents the problem with some they compare and thus conclude that their Mazda has a "chronic" illumination problems.[color=#c0392b] They don't.
You can measure the brightness of your headlights using a light meter to measure the lux and lumens of your headlight or have a shop that has the light meter, or you can purchase one of the inexpensive one and do your own testing. However, to be accurate you must find the same year model and condition headlight as yours. If a few did this and all other factors or the electrical system and head light are good, then you would find that NO it is not a
CHRONIC" problem and that your model and year Mazda has exactly what it is supposed to.
I should also mention that those that change their headlights to increase from the factory lumens are in effect modifying the headlights in some states it is a vehcle code violation. As weel should you cause or get into an accident, and it is found that the headlight was part of what caused the accident and that you modified them from OEM you may be the responsible person for that accident and held accountable.
SNJ 67 Pa. Code § 175.66. Lighting and electrical systems. (pacodeandbulletin.gov)
Below is a great article that may support a little more explanation of headlight lumens and other good information. While I very seldom use WWW examples to support anything I post if I were to write a technical article this one would be close to what I would write and have and ASE review before publication.
How Many Lumens Is a Car Headlight? (Brightness Guide 2024) - Carlightvision
ASE
Posts: 1
From: SNJ
Welcome to the forum
Its NOT a chronic problem but it is an issue with many platforms from low maintenance of cleaning and at times polishing the lens. Most people seem to judge the "lumens" of a head light by comparing models of other platforms and also same model and year as an example Mazda. Seems this is a Mazda forum I will try to keep the explanation as close to Mazda only as possible. The lights or better the bulbs are standard set by the manufacture based on laws and regulation in the country they are being sold in. So while I only really know the USA that all I will be talking about. Each state in the USA also has set vehicle codes that stipulate how bright a head light or addition driving lights can be as well. So that said in all cases i the shop when we often get customers in with complaints and suggestion that their headlights are not working very well we look at a few things. The battery, the charging system, the condition of the headlight and or driving lights. If all are in working order and the customer still complain and states seeing on the internet it is a "chronic" issues Our conclusion along with hundreds or thousands of service shops in the US is customers have become human comparing exp[erts when it come to head light illumination. They see other platforms and model and compare their headlight brightness and clarity to them. This is fundamental wrong for so many reasons. The one being is all those other platforms and models still comply with the latest FEDERAL REQUIREMENT given to the auto manufactures for what is allowed in this country (USA) for headlight illumination). While it has slowly increased over the years and decades this presents the problem with some they compare and thus conclude that their Mazda has a "chronic" illumination problems.[color=#c0392b] They don't.
You can measure the brightness of your headlights using a light meter to measure the lux and lumens of your headlight or have a shop that has the light meter, or you can purchase one of the inexpensive one and do your own testing. However, to be accurate you must find the same year model and condition headlight as yours. If a few did this and all other factors or the electrical system and head light are good, then you would find that NO it is not a
CHRONIC" problem and that your model and year Mazda has exactly what it is supposed to.
I should also mention that those that change their headlights to increase from the factory lumens are in effect modifying the headlights in some states it is a vehcle code violation. As weel should you cause or get into an accident, and it is found that the headlight was part of what caused the accident and that you modified them from OEM you may be the responsible person for that accident and held accountable.
SNJ 67 Pa. Code § 175.66. Lighting and electrical systems. (pacodeandbulletin.gov)
Below is a great article that may support a little more explanation of headlight lumens and other good information. While I very seldom use WWW examples to support anything I post if I were to write a technical article this one would be close to what I would write and have and ASE review before publication.
How Many Lumens Is a Car Headlight? (Brightness Guide 2024) - Carlightvision
ASE
C$42.18 | Dualvision D2S D4S D1S D3S LED Car Headlights Bulbs canbus HID D1R D3 D2R D4R LED 120000LM 800W Two sided CSP Chip 6000K 12V 24V
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKaTmcJ
For now they're about a year in service and still working good and bright as new. The only complaining is they are very noisy because of oversized heat fan keeping up with a lot of heat dissipating. But this is a minor trade off compared to safety. Many similar products are available on AliExpress, not sure about the noise and quality.
I should mention as well about legality of this replacement. If the headlights are adjusted properly according to the manufacturer and government standards they don't blind incoming traffic as the final light output is compatible with government requirements.
The problem with Mazda headlights is the dull focusing lenses which restricts light output. So, to get out of them satisfied lumens you have to step up the source output. Otherwise, if you will continue replacing OEM 35 W HID with other 35W HIDs the actual light output will not change and it's definitely not sufficient in many night driving conditions.
Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 10,334
Likes: 198
From: Northern California
Not sure how to even respond.... to the last ^^^^^ 
Maybe a better research should be done to first learn about all the hyp some manufactures and suppliers of those type bulbs and then why so many need fans and why so many DO NOT post legality of use.
There literally hundreds of companies offering complete JUNK.
We have used this company a few times over the years. Great information and also honest and good testing and comparing products available. Yes they are a retailer. But they for the most part don't sell a product they at least do not physically test themselves.
It can at least help adjust some thinking on the part of DIY when trying to choose a bulb.
Headlight Revolution | We Review The Brightest LED Headlight Bulbs
Maybe a better research should be done to first learn about all the hyp some manufactures and suppliers of those type bulbs and then why so many need fans and why so many DO NOT post legality of use.
There literally hundreds of companies offering complete JUNK.
We have used this company a few times over the years. Great information and also honest and good testing and comparing products available. Yes they are a retailer. But they for the most part don't sell a product they at least do not physically test themselves.
It can at least help adjust some thinking on the part of DIY when trying to choose a bulb.
Headlight Revolution | We Review The Brightest LED Headlight Bulbs
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