Helpful Tech Tips and Tricks

Featured Vehicle Lighting Guide | Chevrolet Silverado
Chevy Silverado headligt installation and upgrade
2015 Chevy Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500

No matter how small the issue may be, any trip to a certified mechanic is guaranteed to place unwanted strain on your pocketbook.

Automotive headlights can have issues, however, they are often incredibly simple to fix. Not only will this brief “how-to” save you time and money, but you can now take pride in successfully fixing a problem with your vehicle.

These days the most common headlamp to be found on cars is still the halogen headlight, but this is eventually going to become antiquated in favor of newer technologies such as HID and LED. It is important to understand that aftermarket lights may require modifications or additional item to be installed with the kit, even if it is plug and play.

American vehicles, such as Dodge, Jeep, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Ram in most cases require a relay harness with load resistors to prolong the lifespan of the lights and stabilize the power that goes to HID or LED system.

Regarding European cars, such as Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen that usually face warning on the dash, computer warning cancellers are mostly used to resolve the issue.

If you are the owner of Chevrolet Silverado (2007-2018), check out this handy troubleshooting guide.

2007 Chevy Silverado 1500 headlight bulb sizes
2007 Chevy Silverado 3500

Although there have been some headlight modifications for these model years, the 2007-2018 Chevrolet Silverado vehicles all use the same bulbs for the Low Beams (H11), High Beams (9005), and Fog Lights (5202 bulb).

2014 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD front lighting systems
2014 Chevy Silverado 2500

The exceptions would be 2016-2018 Silverado 1500, which uses D5S headlight bulb as high and low beams.

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 headlight bulb size is D5S
2016 Chevy Silverado 1500
Replacement of a 9005 factory (OEM) halogen bulb for Chevy Silverado

You’ve got plenty of options if you’re looking at upgrading the Low Beam lighting on your Silverado, as H11 headlight bulbs are very common bulbs with lots of different replacement options. You’ve pretty much got the following choices to chose from H11 HID Kits and H11 LED Kits.

If you’re looking to change out the High Beam bulb on your truck, you’ve pretty much got the same choices as the Low Beam headlight bulb: 9005 HID kits and 9005 LED headlight kits.

If you have just upgraded forward headlights and notice flickering issue or error messages that appear on your dashboard computer take into consideration that you may need a relay harness and load resistors.

Flickering may be caused by aftermarket bulbs drawing less power than the factory ones. The most common case is when the Daytime Running Lights are the same bulbs, which you are upgrading. H11 performs the function of low beam and DRL on Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2007-2013), Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD (2007-2014), Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD (2007-2008, 2010-2014).

This mode makes the bulb operate on the lower voltage causing HID bulb to flicker. To resolve this issue installation of relay harness may be needed.

Installation of an HID relay harness with load resistors to Chevy Silverado
HID Relay Harness installation

Sometimes it happens that aftermarket HID lights cause static on radio. This issue can be resolved with the help of EMC Filter Warning Cancellers. Just install the unit between the ballast input and the ballast feed.

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