I believe H11B has a tab that makes them different to install than H11's. But I'd like to know too if the B's are different and if going with just regular H11's are doable.I know that the US Fiesta uses the H11b bulbs, which I think are slightly different from H11. Can anyone confirm that H11 and H11b and interchangeable?
And everytime someone says this I feel obliged to counter that my Osram silverstars were so good they outlasted my 2000 ZX3 (62K) were removed from it and installed used in my SVT Focus, they lasted YEARS in that car till it must have had at least 50K on it (and I work nights so the car is driven at night A LOT) before finally burning out the first low beam filament. I do not see how a stock bulb would have lasted any longer. That car now has 92k on it is still on the set that replaced my original Osrams from my 2000ZX3. Just don't buy the Sylvania versions, it is so obvious from the net that they are lacking in quality, (or people are touching the bulbs on install and deny it) that by now everyone should know this.In a previous car, I used Sylvania (regular) H7 bulbs. They lasted only 2/3 as long as the OEM bulbs in that car. Since more lumens = shorter life (and tinting requires even more lumens to compensate for the loss due to the tint), any of the "premium" Sylvania bulbs are likely to be even worse for bulb life.
I hope it goes without saying, but you do any of this at your own risk and at potential risk to your warranty. We're all grownups about these things, right?Daniel Stern said:> Hi Daniel -
> I'd like to order some headlight bulbs for my 2011 Ford Fiesta. The owner's manual calls for an H11_B_ for the low beam - is that the same spec and/or is it compatible with an H11?
>
No, it is not. With some modifications, an H11 will fit, but it's difficult to do without spoiling the headlamp seal.
>
> High beams are HB3-9005LL, which I understand is compatible with an HIR1 bulb.
>
If you want to upgrade the high beams, go to your local Chevrolet dealer (or GM Parts Direct: Your direct source for Genuine GM Parts for a better price)and pick up two part number 15094219. That is a 9011 bulb. They are not some tinted or overwattage version of 9005, but share the identical filament geometry and base architecture as well as the same power consumption.
Here's the comparison:
stock: 9005, 12.8V, 65W, 1700 lumens, 320 hours
new: 9011, 12.8V, 65W, 2530 lumens, 320 hours
The 9011 bulbs have a double-wide top ear on the plastic bulb base, this is
to comply with the law requiring different bulbs to have different bases.
The extra-wide plastic top ear is easily trimmed or filed to make the bulb
fit your headlamp's bulb receptacle. Once that's done, they go directly
into the headlamp, and the existing sockets snap on. Please see
HIR bulb base modification for details.
So these the same as HB3-9005LL? Based on Amazon's Part Finder, it says these won't fit an '11 Fiesta.update: I bought these bulbs via Amazon, as they were cheaper than the GM part and I got free shipping.
And, now that they're in: they kick ass. A noticeable improvement over the stock units. Basically, I went from "pretty good" high beams to "*that's* more like it!"
YMMV.
I have contacted Sylvania about the availability of the H11B in their Silverstar Ultra line and the response was that since this is a 'special" fitment (ie; Hyundai and Ford Fiesta) they have no plans in the near future to produce this bulb in their top of the line bulbs. Why would Ford put such a special bulb in thier headlights when they know the replacement availability would be limited? Great car! Not one of Fords 'Better Ideas'.
How does one acquire said bulbs? When I Google the bulb name, every website that comes up seems geared toward British/European users, and quotes prices in Pounds....And everytime someone says this I feel obliged to counter that my Osram silverstars were so good they outlasted my 2000 ZX3 (62K) were removed from it and installed used in my SVT Focus, they lasted YEARS in that car till it must have had at least 50K on it (and I work nights so the car is driven at night A LOT) before finally burning out the first low beam filament. I do not see how a stock bulb would have lasted any longer. That car now has 92k on it is still on the set that replaced my original Osrams from my 2000ZX3. Just don't buy the Sylvania versions, it is so obvious from the net that they are lacking in quality, (or people are touching the bulbs on install and deny it) that by now everyone should know this.
Having said that, if one was to put 100/130's in their car I would agree that the light that burns that much more brightly is bound not to last as long but the trade is worth it. I have 80/100's in my Land Rover and they have lasted nearly as long as I would have expected stock to last but performed a GREAT deal better. Again, the gain in obvious output was easily justifiable and the tradeoff in lifespan, wasn't squat.