I have an 06 STI and when I first turn my car on the lights are extremely bright and almost a bluish color. After driving for a bit they start to dim out and almost turn to a (what I feel) an off white color. Is this normal for the HIDs to loose power? Is this an alternator problem? I have a stock engine and a stock stereo. Is anybody else out there experiencing this or am I just being DeeDeeDee?

Also... Is there only one type of HID bulb or can I get different intensities or different shade of white/blue? Just a curiousity.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

It is normal for HIDs to go through a startup cycle where they are a different color when first turned on. They operate by applying a high voltage to a gas inside the bulbs, and it takes a minute or so for them to come up to temperature and stabilize.
There is nothing wrong with your car or your lights.
The color temperature of your HIDs when they are at their normal operating condition is 4300K, which produces the optimum amount of useful light output. While higher color temperature bulbs are available, they are NOT in fact brighter although they may initially appear so. Higher color temps (6000K, 8000K, etc.) contain more blue light and produce less useful illumination and more glare. There is no reason to change your bulbs.

 

Thank you very much Mulder. I was just a bit concerned. Thanks again.