Fog light bulb replacement

[SonicBoy24]

Are you saying that I can get fog light put in after I bought it?

When I got the car I had to choose between not getting it in the color / body style or not get the "Connectivity Plus Cruise" or order it and wait for it to be built. The Sonic I got had everything but the "Wheels & Fog-lamp Package"

How much did it cost you?

Yea, I can't say how easy it would be, but just like anything else, you can add it on aftermarket. You'll need the bulbs, a new bracket, prob some other things too...
I don't know the exact cost, the fog lights were a christmas gift from my parents. I think the fog light kit plus installation was about $400, and most of that was probably labor...

 

[jdchin87]

Low Beams: H11
High Beams: 9005
Fog Lights: H8

this is correct.

 

[broll]

My Nokya Hyper Yellows came in the mail today. Hoping to get them in tonight; if I do I'll bust out the good camera and get some decent pictures for y'all.

 

[broll]

As promised, some photos. FWIW, I followed the directions posted by the OP. SUPER simple, only took me about 15 minutes total for both sides.

I know it's still light outside, but you can see the color pretty well.

Left is the normal bulb, right is the yellow.

I know it's blurry, but again, you can see the color.

 

[d.p]

dafuq?

 

[LorbeerTLC]

H11 (80W) vs H8 (35W)

So, for those who have elected to upgrade to the H11 80watt fog lights instead of keeping the factory H8 35watt fog lights, have you had any issues?

1) Additional wattage on fuse (fuse blowing)?
2) Fog Light wiring getting too hot due to the 35 watt wiring insulation is not designed for 80 watt usage?
3) Fog Light housing able to dissipate the additional heat without causing warping or discoloration of the fog light lens or lens housing?
4) Will the H11 three-prong base be able to fit ok inside the H8 fog light housing? I've heard the bases between the H11 and the H8 are different. How much modification is needed in order for them to fit?

I'd be interested in swapping my H8's for H11's, but only if there won't be any problems with the increased wattage or greatly modifying the base.
Thanks!

 

[AndrewGS]

So, for those who have elected to upgrade to the H11 80watt fog lights instead of keeping the factory H8 35watt fog lights, have you had any issues?

1) Additional wattage on fuse (fuse blowing)?
2) Fog Light wiring getting too hot due to the 35 watt wiring insulation is not designed for 80 watt usage?
3) Fog Light housing able to dissipate the additional heat without causing warping or discoloration of the fog light lens or lens housing?
4) Will the H11 three-prong base be able to fit ok inside the H8 fog light housing? I've heard the bases between the H11 and the H8 are different. How much modification is needed in order for them to fit?

I'd be interested in swapping my H8's for H11's, but only if there won't be any problems with the increased wattage or greatly modifying the base.
Thanks!

Who has used 80w H11s in the fogs?

1&2) The additional load going from 70w total to 160w total would melt the tiny wire used on the fogs.
3) The housing would melt from the additional heat.
4) The H11s will not fit the H8 socket.

I get a ton of light out of my 35w H8 PIAA Plasma Ion Yellow bulbs and I'm not concerned about screwing up the electrics or housings.

 

[rdss]

The new body style GMC Sierra has the same problem with its factory fogs and housings. The melt quickly with anything other than stock bulbs.

 

[LorbeerTLC]

Who has used 80w H11s in the fogs?

1&2) The additional load going from 70w total to 160w total would melt the tiny wire used on the fogs.
3) The housing would melt from the additional heat.
4) The H11s will not fit the H8 socket.

I get a ton of light out of my 35w H8 PIAA Plasma Ion Yellow bulbs and I'm not concerned about screwing up the electrics or housings.

The beginning of the thread (page 1), cites using H11 for fogs.
Also: http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/post84898-35/

 

[AndrewGS]

The beginning of the thread (page 1), cites using H11 for fogs.
Also: http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/post84898-35/

Ahh, see I was under the impression that the OP has misspoke on the bulb size.

After installing the fogs and seeing the teeny tiny pin on the forward harness connector and the teeny little wire used to power them I wouldn't run a watt over stock.

 

[LorbeerTLC]

A Possible Alternative: PIAA H8 2500K 35W=70W

I saw a site that feature a Japan imported H8 fog light that claims to be a 35 watt bulb that has the brightness of a 70 watt bulb. The temperature is 2500K so it's great for fog and inclement weather.
It's from PIAA. However, it is extremely expensive and I don't know how long it would last.
PIAA | H8 Plasma Ion Yellow Twin Pack Halogen Bulbs #18535
I think you can do an additional search on this product to go price shopping.

 

[AndrewGS]

Get them here: 2012 PIAA 2500K Plasma Ion Yellow H8 JDM Fog Light Bulbs MADE IN JAPAN BRAND NEW | eBay

He is my friend and source for all my forward lighting. I'm running JDM PIAA in the lows, highs and fogs.

 

[007CobaltLS]

Is the bulb size for the RS the same as the other models? Stupid question? I wasn't sure because the design is different for the fog light housing.

 

[LorbeerTLC]

Is the bulb size for the RS the same as the other models? Stupid question? I wasn't sure because the design is different for the fog light housing.

Yup, and it's not a stupid question. Especially when the front on the RS looks slightly different than the other models.

Here's what the 2013 Sonic Owner's manual say's about bulb replacement:

Replacement Bulbs.
Exterior Lamp Bulb Number:
Back-Up Lamp
921
Front Fog Lamp
H8
Front Parking/Turn Signal Lamp
7444NA
High-Beam Headlamp
9005LL
License Plate Lamp
W5W LL
Low-Beam Headlamp
H11
Rear Sidemarker Lamp
194LL
Rear Turn Signal Lamp
4157NAK
Stop Lamp/Taillamp
7444LL

You can (hopefully) see this and more at the link below:
http://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam/Chevrolet/northamerica/usa/nscwebsite/en/Home/Ownership/Manuals%20and%20Videos/02_pdf/2k13sonic.pdf
It's listed under "Vehicle Care" 10-31.

 

[bandita52]

i'll be going to Fedex tmrw and picking up my fog light kit that i ordered from amazon.com which are the OEM type and call the dealership to have them installed plus get it reflashed so they will work since i don't have all the stuff to do myself.

 

[Joyride]

PIAA fogs are in with the help of this thread. Thanks for the help!

 

[BKamp613]

Also used this to help install my LED fog bulbs. I didn't need to remove the bumper screw underneath though. Thanks for the DIY.

 

[RoXXXanne13]

Not HIDs but an idea of what they might look like. Headlights are Philips Crystalvisions 6000k and the fogs are Nokya Yellow 2500k. Looks better in person compared to a pic on a crappy phone.

you got a part number for those headlight bulbs man?? I love em, probably gonna get some for mine!!

 

[EX331]

Thanks for posting this tutorial. I had whacked a fawn, and in the process cracked the lamp assembly, shrouds, etc., on the driver's side. Jacked up the car, removed the front half of the wheel house liner, and did the work. For a while, I was worried that I had to take off the front bumper...

 

[mowcowbell]

Thanks for this write-up on fog light bulb replacement. I upgraded my fog light bulbs to the Nokya yellow and noticed a improvement in night vision. I work a 4pm to midnite shift, so I use my lights quite a lot.

While I was upgrading, I also changed out the map lights and interior dome light to LED's. The map lights are now almost TOO bright. My g/f commented that she can see much better for touching up her makeup now.

The plastic cover surrounding the map lights and sunroof switch was a real pain to get loose. I had to pry very carefully around the edges to finally get it loose. I was concerned that I was pulling hard enough to snap off one of the plastic clips around the edges.



Hard to see the yellow tint in this photo. The process took a total of 15 mins, with the hardest T20 screw being that one along the bottom edge next to the front lip spoiler. I would not recommend going higher than the standard H8 (35 watts). The lead wires would most likely melt under the additional load.


Darin