Which bulb fits my car? Socket guide

How to find out which lamp your car has

Start with which light function a new bulb will have. Dipped beam, high beam and fog lights can use different bulb types on the same car, and a model may have been delivered with different lighting packages. A statement about ”H7 for the car” therefore needs to be linked to the correct headlight and function.

I car selector You can search by registration number or select make, model and year to find products for your car. Then match the car's lighting design with the product's fitment information. Information about the car model needs to be supplemented if, for example, the car has headlights other than the variant to which the search refers.

The car's owner's manual is the next stop. Look for bulb replacement or bulb specifications and read the correct line for the function in question. If there are multiple options, you need to know which one applies to your car. If the marking on the existing bulb is legible, it can provide further support, but don't assume that a previous owner installed the correct product.

Follow the vehicle's instructions for access and bulb replacement. Removing the bulb is not always a suitable first step, especially with xenon or integrated LED lighting where the manufacturer may refer you to a workshop.

What is the difference between H4, H7 and other halogen bulbs?

H4 and H7 are different types of bulbs and cannot be directly replaced. An H4 halogen bulb has two filaments for low beam and high beam, while H7 has one filament and is used for one light function at a time in the headlight. So if your car has H7 in the low beam, it does not mean that it has the same type in the high beam.

What is usually called an H7 socket in the trade is the type designation of the lamp. The socket itself also has a more detailed code, PX26d. This difference can be good to know if you compare a marking with a product data sheet.

The table helps you to recognize the designations but is not a list of what fits every car. Even similar types such as H8, H9 and H11 have different socket designs and ratings. Choose according to the specification of the car instead of assuming that a similar lamp can be fitted.

Once the lamp type is confirmed, you can compare halogen lamps for low and high beams. Also check the voltage and the specified power; the type designation is part of the specification.

Check the full designation of the xenon lamp

D1S, D2S, D3S and D4S are different xenon types. The entire designation needs to match the headlight and its drive system, so a D3S should not be chosen as a replacement for a D1S just because the number is higher or the bulbs are similar.

The letter at the end is also important. For example, D2S and D2R are different types, as are D4S and D4R. Write down the entire marking when searching among xenon bulbs for original headlights, so that you compare the right options.

This category should be distinguished from xenon lamps for retrofit auxiliary lights and conversion kits. The fact that two products use xenon technology does not mean that they are substitutes for each other. Follow the car's instructions when replacing and seek help from a workshop when the manufacturer specifies it.

The right lamp type is the first step when choosing a replacement

A lamp needs both the right connection and space to be installed as intended. The socket helps to hold the light source in the correct position in the headlight, while the lamp's design, mounting and connection need to match the car.

H7 can also be used on an LED replacement bulb, such as Luxtar HERO H7. Therefore, read the technology the product uses when comparing it to the old lamp. An LED replacement may have different dimensions, cooling and accessory requirements than a halogen lamp with the same type designation.

In such a change, a customized lamp holder or adapter needed. Any accessories for lamp monitoring should also be selected for the specific car and product. A general year limit or the word CANbus is not enough to determine what works.

Fit and road use approval need to be checked individually. For LED replacements, the documentation should apply to the exact product and intended use. For example, OSRAM describes how to check the car, headlight approval number and light function for the products covered by their vehicle-specific LED approvals. The conditions may differ between products; such approval does not automatically apply to other lamps with the same base.

If the instruction manual, the lamp's marking and a product list give different information, it is worth clarifying the difference before ordering. Have the registration number, current light function and preferably a picture of the marking to hand when you Contact Xenonkungen for help with lamp selection.. Then there is a better basis for checking which product the car needs.