Xenon headlights?

Puslinch · Jan 12, 2015

Driving the car for the fist time at night, I have tt say my headlights in my Mini JCW's are better than the Tesla "xenon". Are they in fact real xenon headlights?

Gary

MuppetOwl · Jan 12, 2015

The xenon lights for the euro spec is weaker than the us spec. 25 watt vs 35 watt, this is because of Europe regulations since the car does not have headlight washer.

LeeJ · Jan 12, 2015

Mine are great and I would say better than my previous car (Mini Cooper S). The beam pattern is very good too.

gdavison · Jan 12, 2015

I agree not as good as my outgoing Audi RS6 .. Dennis87 does answer my puzzlement as to how they did Xenons without headlight washers, never realised there was a lower power limit allowed

CHG-ON · Jan 12, 2015

FWIW, I am happy with my US-spec headlights. Could be pointed a tad higher on low, which I will get to one day. Brights are very good, not excellent.

PaulMac · Jan 12, 2015

also agree not as good as my outgoing jaguar XJ...but sufficient.

simonog · Jan 12, 2015

Dennis87 said:
The xenon lights for the euro spec is weaker than the us spec. 25 watt vs 35 watt, this is because of Europe regulations since the car does not have headlight washer.

Why would having a headlight washer logically allow use of higher power lights?

yobigd20 · Jan 12, 2015

simonog said:
Why would having a headlight washer logically allow use of higher power lights?

Do government regulations ever make any kind of logical sense?

martinwinlow · Jan 13, 2015

I understand the theory is that HID (high intensity discharge) lights - AKA 'xenon' (which is just the gas that is in the bulbs) generate a lot of scattered and therefore annoying glare when used with dirty lenses. Washed, they don't cause this glare. It's a bit moot in my view - if they insisted on having washers AND wipers then I might agree but washers on their own... ? I was also unaware of the lower power/no need for washers thing. MW

Alan · Jan 13, 2015

Anyone looked into how to "upgrade" back to 35W?

Puslinch · Jan 13, 2015

Can't be anymore than plugging new lamps in and checking the ballast labels that they would handle greater than 25w.

Gary

gdavison · Jan 13, 2015

Upgrading back to 35W would fail an MOT .... however (a) thats 2.5 years away for us (b) It does raise the Question, how would the MOT tester know ? but more important (c) apart from pulling your car to bits would PC plod be able to find out ?

NOT that I am suggesting any naughtyness

Puslinch · Jan 14, 2015

Googling around the Osram stock 35w ballast part is 10R-034663, I can's find a 25w version. They could be using the stock 35w ballast with a lower wattage lamp installed. It's a discharge so it's the upper wattage not the lower that's required. Has anyone looked at the UK ballast sticker?

Gary

MuppetOwl · Jan 14, 2015

The ballast sticker has 25w writen on it.

Puslinch · Jan 14, 2015

Thanks Dennis, looks to be a ballast and lamp change for the adventurous DIY person, NEW! OEM! 12-14 Tesla S Xenon BALLAST D3S HID BULB KIT CONTROL UNIT + WIRE - Factory Xenon

Gary

jasminejordan · Nov 20, 2019

One of the headlights of my Tesla Model S 2012 went out recently and I am looking for the replacement. While searching for the replacement I found an online store claiming that they offer Genuine original Osram D3S HID Xenon bulb to replace factory fitted bulb on HID headlamps Tesla 2012. Is there anyone of you who have ever tried any product from this store? Would you recommend buying it? Suggestions required. Here is the product
Osram D3S Xenon Bulb | Osram Xenarc 66340 | Xenarc D3S 35W

ACarneiro · Nov 21, 2019

Is this a Model 3? I was almost 100% sure they had LED lights, rather than Xenon?

vitesse · Nov 21, 2019

simonog said:
Why would having a headlight washer logically allow use of higher power lights?

Because the Xenon beam is more prone to dazzling when there is dirt on the headlight. Tesla also decided against providing self-leveling for the headlights, which also restricts the wattage. No complaints from me with my MS70D though.

Which Tesla model do you have?

Cowpring · Nov 21, 2019

ACarneiro said:
Is this a Model 3? I was almost 100% sure they had LED lights, rather than Xenon?

This is correct - they are LED Reflector headlights not HID Xenon.

I think all Tesla cars have LED rather than HID.

ilyak · Nov 21, 2019

Cowpring said:
This is correct - they are LED Reflector headlights not HID Xenon.

I think all Tesla cars have LED rather than HID.

This thread is from 2015, that should give you a hint. Pre-facelift Model S cars had HID/Xenon headlights.

Xenon headlights?

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