In Australia my 2001 GS300 comes with HID headlights as standard (low beam).

While these are great for straight line penetration (sounds rude), they don't light up the side of the vehicle i.e the angle of light seems to be quite narrow.

Maybe it's the headlight lens design, but other cars that I have driven with standard H4 halogen lights seem to have a wider spread of light.

Has anyone else with HID's noticed this? Do the USA side markers in the front bumper act as side lights i.e. come on with the headlights, or are they just side blinkers?

Any suggestions please?

 

I had halogen lights before and the sides weren't lit up too well either. The side markers come on with the headlights so they are always on. I would say get some HID fog lights. IMO that helped light up the side a little bit better.

 

A Ls430 retrofit will solve your problems for good ,your lights will have wings lol !!!!!

 

Without spending alot of money, you can get a HID setup for your foglights. They make a HUGE difference and light up the cars next to you and ground beneath you. All for the low price of $24.99.

 

Woah wait HID's are only $25, Tim? Text me where you got them lol.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HID-C...Q5fAccessories

Here's the kit i got. $35. 9006 bulb size 3000k temperature. Not bad!

 

How long have you had them? Any problems?

 

seriously cuz the ballast i got from hidextra went out after a week so im very interested in this

 

I've had them for probably 3months now no problems whatsoever. Besides the fact that when i use my turn signal they shut off then back on. Most likely has to do with the car's wiring not putting enough power into the foglights. Can be fixed with a relay kit. Besides that theyre awesome!

 

Yup! This is why I did my LS430 swap. Output was horrible with stocks! Sad thing is, is that I dont think I can ever buy another car with out them LoL

 

So help me here please. The USA side markers are always on when the headlights and/or parking lights are on?

If this is so, maybe I could fit a brighter bulb and achieve some side lighting??

 

The side markers on the front bumper? Yes, they are on. But people are speaking of the fog lights and putting HID's in them to achieve a bit more output.

 

HID's in the foglights will solve your problem. It lights up the sides of the road for me when I drive.

 

I find it funny when 10 people say the exact same thing

 

I was pretty disappointed with the stock HID output as well. The side markers won't do anything for your visible lighting.

HID fog lights will help like others have said, I'd try that first and see if you're satisfied given the low cost of HID kits these days. Like was also said, a projector retrofit is your best bet, I've got Q45 projectors and while their performance is not as great as the LS430's and others, they are much better than the stock HID reflectors. I was bothered by the uneven lighting of the stock HID's, projectors (even lesser performing ones like the Q45's) will give a much more even and wider distribution of light. LS430's are the ultimate performers last I knew, incredible width and intensity.

Do some searching here and in the Lighting section if you're interested in a retrofit, theres lots of great info if you dig for it.