The H13 bulb, also cataloged as 9008, is a dual-beam automotive headlight standard engineered to deliver both low-beam and high-beam illumination from a single bulb. In OEM halogen form, the H13 bulb is rated at 55W on low beam and 65W on high beam, Typical output ranges from ~1,000–1,500 lumens on low beam to ~1,700–1,900 lumens on high beam, with a ~3200K warm white color temperature. The low-beam filament is shielded to create a cutoff, while the high-beam filament is unshielded, allowing long-range forward illumination when activated.
Because the H13 bulb integrates two beam roles into one housing, emitter or filament positioning is critical. The beam pattern, glare control, and cutoff accuracy are defined by the reflector or projector housing, while the bulb determines brightness level, color temperature, and electrical behavior. This makes H13 upgrades particularly sensitive to optical alignment and heat management.
H13 LED Headlight Kits (Up to 12000LM Output)
H13 LED headlight bulbs in this Underground Lighting collection use solid-state semiconductor emitters, producing light through electroluminescence at a p-n junction delivering up to 12,000 lumens per pair at 60W system power, representing a 6–10× brightness increase over standard halogen H13 bulbs.
Key LED characteristics include:
- 6000K daylight white output for modern visibility
- Instant full brightness (0-second warm-up)
- Lower voltage fluctuation than halogen
- Plug-and-play PX26d base compatibility
- CANbus-safe load profiles to prevent bulb-out warnings
H13 HID Conversion Kits (35W CANbus Low/High Systems)
H13 HID conversion kits replace halogen filaments with a bi-xenon HID capsule, using a solenoid mechanism to switch between low and high beam positions. Light is produced via an electric arc inside a xenon-filled quartz capsule, ignited by a high-voltage pulse up to ~23,000V, then sustained at ~85V AC through a 35W ballast.
Complete H13 CANbus HID kits include:
These kits deliver approximately 3700 lumens per pair, offering longer beam penetration than halogen and improved highway visibility. CANbus integration prevents dashboard errors, flicker, and ECU fault codes, especially in 2007+ vehicles.
H13 HID Replacement Bulbs (3700LM Class)
H13 HID replacement bulbs are designed for vehicles already equipped with H13 HID systems. When paired with a compatible ballast, they produce ~3700 lumens per pair and are available in multiple color temperatures:
- 3000K yellow – improved contrast in rain and snow
- 6000K white – neutral daylight visibility
- 8000K white/blue – cooler appearance
- 10000K blue – deep blue output
These bulbs are not plug-and-play for halogen housings and require an existing HID electrical system.
Fitment, Heat, and Applications
The PX26d base provides a secure twist-lock installation, but LED and HID H13 bulbs often have larger rear profiles due to cooling fans, heat sinks, or solenoids. Housing depth, dust-cap clearance, and airflow must be verified before upgrading.
H13 bulbs are commonly used in:
They are not interchangeable with H4, H7, or 9007 bulbs, despite visual similarities. Incorrect substitution can cause misalignment, glare, or electrical issues.
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