Tiguan Xenons/HID replacement

[Ramee]

So one of my Tigs Xenon lights started to playing up. I have to switch off and on again to get the light working again , it is the right hand lower beam light. After about 5 mins it goes off again giving a bulb out warning.

Does someone knows the type of these Xenons, I saw D1S and D3S bulb verities are there, but not sure which one. And any DIY or instructions for replacement is much appreciated!

Also are these the correct ones

Genuine Philips D1S R C HID Xenon 8000K Bulbs Volkswagen VW Golf Jetta Tiguan | eBay

[99Reza]

Your best bet is to take off the cover and photograph the label behind the bulb. Should tell you the model.

I doubt it's a D3S as it's a newer bulb type but then your Tiguan is the FL model. D1S will be the norm, and cheaper too.

I would advise against anything over 5000k, may look brighter but not really.

Stick with Phillips or Osram.

If you want more performance, go for Philip Extreme Vision or Osram Cool Blue Intense.

Have heard good thing about Osram CBI, this bulb appear to be the OEM for late model Merc (to match their DRL colour).

You may want to replace both bulbs though, for performance and aesthetic reason.

There is one cable connector for each bulb, you need to detach that first. After that, it should be as simple as twist and pull. Failing that, consult the manual or dealer. Xenon bulb rarely fails this early. Perhaps a warranty claim?

[Ramee]

Your best bet is to take off the cover and photograph the label behind the bulb. Should tell you the model.

I doubt it's a D3S as it's a newer bulb type but then your Tiguan is the FL model. D1S will be the norm, and cheaper too.

I would advise against anything over 5000k, may look brighter but not really.

Stick with Phillips or Osram.

If you want more performance, go for Philip Extreme Vision or Osram Cool Blue Intense.

Have heard good thing about Osram CBI, this bulb appear to be the OEM for late model Merc (to match their DRL colour).

You may want to replace both bulbs though, for performance and aesthetic reason.

There is one cable connector for each bulb, you need to detach that first. After that, it should be as simple as twist and pull. Failing that, consult the manual or dealer. Xenon bulb rarely fails this early. Perhaps a warranty claim?

Thanks a lot for your info mate. After reading your comment I decided to give it a go in the evening. It is D3S type bulb. I took few pics and then couldn't resist to try and take it out. So after few minutes if struggling I managed to take it out. Bulb looks ok except small white patch on a side of the glass. Then I put it back and switched it on, to my surprise it lighted up! haha.. But I am sure I will have to replace it anyway.

I will post some pics here, if anyone wanted to know same info in the future..

[99Reza]

Glad you worked out the bulb type. Probably just a loose cable

It's the same type as the one on the mk3 Octavia RS.

AFAIK there's only one higher performance bulb for D3S, it's Philip Extreme Vision and they are far from cheap, about $300 a pair.

Question, do you find the xenon light on your Tiguan bright enough? Seeing both cars share the same bulb type.

I found the light intensity on the Octavia is vastly inferior to the pre-facelifted Tiguan one, even my 7 year old C-class still has the upper hand in terms of light intensity. I'm guessing inferior bulb as the headlight has a very good spread (decent projector) just lacking intensity.

Anyhow, this is the bulb on the Octavia for comparison. Sorry for the upside down photo.

[Ramee]

[Ramee]

Glad you worked out the bulb type. Probably just a loose cable

It's the same type as the one on the mk3 Octavia RS.

AFAIK there's only one higher performance bulb for D3S, it's Philip Extreme Vision and they are far from cheap, about $300 a pair.

Question, do you find the xenon light on your Tiguan bright enough? Seeing both cars share the same bulb type.

I found the light intensity on the Octavia is vastly inferior to the pre-facelifted Tiguan one, even my 7 year old C-class still has the upper hand in terms of light intensity. I'm guessing inferior bulb as the headlight has a very good spread (decent projector) just lacking intensity.

Anyhow, this is the bulb on the Octavia for comparison. Sorry for the upside down photo.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]12817[/ATTACH]

Thanks for the pic, Yeah to me bulb intensity is weaker given that they are Xenons/HID in my MY13 tiguan. I think bulbs are very similar between Octavia and face lifted Tiguan 35W Philips Xenstart vs XenEcostart

So will it be possible to interchange D3S bulb with a D1S. Because of my lack of patience I already ordered a pair from above link early in the morning ..

[Ramee]

Looks like they D1S/D3S are not interchangeable. Hope seller agree to send me a correct set at least

[NZTiguan]

I thought the low beam (the one you say is playing up) is a standard halogen H7 bulb ??

Cheers

[Ramee]

I thought the low beam (the one you say is playing up) is a standard halogen H7 bulb ??

Cheers

Nope .. That is high beam I think. All the motors for adjusting xenons for dynamic cornering, tilt adjustment etc connected with low beam xenon lights, which we use mostly.

[99Reza]

Looks like they D1S/D3S are not interchangeable. Hope seller agree to send me a correct set at least

Ouch, hopefully that works out with the seller.

Thanks for the detailed picture, will be a good reference for someone with similar situation.

Thanks for the feedback as well, looks like the headlight can do with an upgraded bulb. I will let you know once i've gotten my hand on the higher performance bulb, see if it's worth the $300 bucks.

[Ramee]

Ouch, hopefully that works out with the seller.

Thanks for the detailed picture, will be a good reference for someone with similar situation.

Thanks for the feedback as well, looks like the headlight can do with an upgraded bulb. I will let you know once i've gotten my hand on the higher performance bulb, see if it's worth the $300 bucks.

Thanks mate Seller just sent me a message saying he can ship D3S instead of D1S. So all is good At least i hope so till I find out it is not actually the lights but the ballast

[Ramee]

Little update, I received D1S bulbs from the Ebay seller even though I asked them to send me a set of D3S.

So I went to a local aftermarket shop and bought a D3S bulb set for 119AUD. They are same Phillips Eco Start as my original bulbs but have 6000K color temperature. Tried to installed them surprise there is a small tab inside the bulb connector which makes it difficult to plug in the power connector. But still can push it in with little force and bulbs work ok.

Now there are few problems, 6000K color temp are not matching with DRL leds. LEDs are bit on yellower side where as xenons are on bluer side And the biggest problem is these Xenons are weaker than OEM ones. And with little research I got to know that most of these Phillips Xenons are counterfeit stuff from China.

So I then placed an order for Philips X-treme Vision D3S bulbs from powerbulbs.com and hopefully they are much brighter than these counterfeit xenons.

[Ramee]

Surprise! Today morning I received D3S Xenon set from Ebay seller, even though I didn't return D1S set. Looks like I am going to end up with too many Xenons!! LOL

[99Reza]

You certainly are not messing around when it comes to modding your car!!

The 6000k will have less light output even if it's the real deal (even less with the counterfeit bulb). 5000K will be the best compromise of colour temp and light output.

I'm eager to see your review on the Philip X-treme Vision

As a side note, most if not all xenon bulb require a burn-in period to reach the maximum brightness. With normal usage, probably takes about 1-2 weeks.

[Ramee]

You certainly are not messing around when it comes to modding your car!!

The 6000k will have less light output even if it's the real deal (even less with the counterfeit bulb). 5000K will be the best compromise of colour temp and light output.

Yeah I remember you warned me about that before, but most aftermarket bulbs are on two extremes either 4300K or 6000k. So I thought 6000k would be alright.

I'm eager to see your review on the Philip X-treme Vision

As a side note, most if not all xenon bulb require a burn-in period to reach the maximum brightness. With normal usage, probably takes about 1-2 weeks.

Sure I will post some pics comparing all the bulbs OEM, China Xenons & Philip XTs. Thanks for letting me know about the burn in period. I think China Xenons will be at their max when Phillip XT arrives to compete.