9003?
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Wanderer
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From: Not so Sunny Cali
9003?
Just out of curiosity, but are the bulbs of the 9003 and the H4 similar? They look the same (almost, but not absolutely sure) but I wanted to be positive if there are differences. If they are different, what car does use 9003 bulbs?
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Wanderer
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From: Not so Sunny Cali
Originally posted by sinthetiq
i dont know, but there was a groupbuy on superwhite bulbs--my friend had ordered some and they sent him the wrong ones (9003).. wth
i dont know, but there was a groupbuy on superwhite bulbs--my friend had ordered some and they sent him the wrong ones (9003).. wth
h:
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Wanderer
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Not so Sunny Cali
The reason I ask is because I was looking into the Sylvania silverstar bulbs (teggy/accord folks swear by these bulbs) and all they have are 9003-9007. Just wanted to know if they were available for use on civics. But I think that the 9003 is the same as HB2 which is the same as the H4's. We'll just have to see...
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Re: 9003?
Originally posted by randomtask77
Just out of curiosity, but are the bulbs of the 9003 and the H4 similar? They look the same (almost, but not absolutely sure) but I wanted to be positive if there are differences. If they are different, what car does use 9003 bulbs?
Just out of curiosity, but are the bulbs of the 9003 and the H4 similar? They look the same (almost, but not absolutely sure) but I wanted to be positive if there are differences. If they are different, what car does use 9003 bulbs?
A 9003 bulb can be replaced by an H4, made to industry standardsReplaces original bulb perfectly; however, may have a higher Wattage. H4 simply refers to the kind of bulb and base, not the headlamp unit. E-code refers to the headlamp unit that the bulb goes in. The light pattern is a combination of bulb type and headlamp reflector/lens. The Disco comes standard with H4 bulbs in a reflector that produces an e-code-like pattern with a sharp upper cutoff, yet has the U.S. aiming pips on the lens making them U.S. DOT approved.
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You guys got it all wrong...
For all intents and purposes, 9003 and H4 are the same when it comes to automotive use. A 9003/HB2 headlight bulb is federally regulated for automotive use, while an H4 can be generally seen as a higher tolerance 9003 bulb for motorcycle use.
Many companies, such as Sylvania, market the EXACT same bulb for automotive and motorcycle use. In fact, one bulb will have both "H4" and "9003" marked on the base of the bulb. The funny thing is that both bulbs are the same, but one will cost more than the other depending on if it's in a 9003 or H4 package.
Now, a TRUE 9003 bulb will not work in a TRUE H4 housing, while a true H4 will work in a true 9003 or H4 housing. An H4 has three tabs, one on top, and two on the bottom. On a 9003, the two bottom tabs are the same size, while a true H4 has one of the bottom tabs smaller than the other. I'm assuming that in the interests of economic efficiency, the aforementioned situation does not really happen anymore to the point of 9003 and H4 being compatible in one another's housing. It's not a surprise as they are basically the same bulb.
I don't know where that person got the 65/72 watt thingie. 9003 and H4 refer to the bulb size, not the wattage. A 9006 bulb, whether it's stock or a high wattage wannabe-HID bulb, is still a size 9006.
So the final answer is that a 9003 or H4 will fit on your car.
FYI: PIAA claims that their Platinum Super White bulbs are FMVSS108-compliant. That is false, as only their 9004-7 bulbs are street legal. The H4s are not. Why? They are marked as H4, which is NOT regulated for automotive use. If it was marked 9003, it would be legal. That's bureaucracy at work. Go figure!
For all intents and purposes, 9003 and H4 are the same when it comes to automotive use. A 9003/HB2 headlight bulb is federally regulated for automotive use, while an H4 can be generally seen as a higher tolerance 9003 bulb for motorcycle use.
Many companies, such as Sylvania, market the EXACT same bulb for automotive and motorcycle use. In fact, one bulb will have both "H4" and "9003" marked on the base of the bulb. The funny thing is that both bulbs are the same, but one will cost more than the other depending on if it's in a 9003 or H4 package.
Now, a TRUE 9003 bulb will not work in a TRUE H4 housing, while a true H4 will work in a true 9003 or H4 housing. An H4 has three tabs, one on top, and two on the bottom. On a 9003, the two bottom tabs are the same size, while a true H4 has one of the bottom tabs smaller than the other. I'm assuming that in the interests of economic efficiency, the aforementioned situation does not really happen anymore to the point of 9003 and H4 being compatible in one another's housing. It's not a surprise as they are basically the same bulb.
I don't know where that person got the 65/72 watt thingie. 9003 and H4 refer to the bulb size, not the wattage. A 9006 bulb, whether it's stock or a high wattage wannabe-HID bulb, is still a size 9006.
So the final answer is that a 9003 or H4 will fit on your car.
FYI: PIAA claims that their Platinum Super White bulbs are FMVSS108-compliant. That is false, as only their 9004-7 bulbs are street legal. The H4s are not. Why? They are marked as H4, which is NOT regulated for automotive use. If it was marked 9003, it would be legal. That's bureaucracy at work. Go figure!
