Subaru Forester Headlight Bulb Size

Subaru Forester Headlight Bulb Size Chart

The High Intensity Discharge light bulb is one of the best replacement options for your Subaru Forester. This is because HID bulbs deteriorate with time but offer a variety of color temperatures that give more output.

The “HB” series light bulb gives the best combination of affordability and quality. It’s made by CNLight and is ECE and DOT approved. Thanks to American salts and German quartz, it’s also reliable, long-lasting and produces excellent color.

The white bulb light color provides the best visibility on the road. It comes in different color temperatures which include:
• 8000K – is of the highest temperature and emanates an ice blue color amidst the primary white color.
• 6000K – one of the most popular ice white colors. It can be found in most LEDs.
• 5000K – a pure white color without any warmth nor tint of blue.
• 4300K – a slightly warm natural white color that’s produced by most factory HIDs.
• 3000K – a pure yellow output that’s of the lowest temperature. It’s perfect for fog lights.

• Subaru Forester 4th Gen SJ – 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
• Subaru Forester 3rd Gen SH – 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
• Subaru Forester Second generation (SG, 2002–2007)
• Subaru Forester First generation (SF, 1997–2002)

The Subaru light bulb size guide is a written resource produced to save novice Subaru enthusiasts as well as Subaru mobile electronics installers some time when they need to find the right replacement bulb size.

It helps to reduce time wastage when replacing your Subaru Forester headlights and fog lights or when upgrading to HIDs. It’s always important that you verify all bulb voltage usages, wattages and sizes before applying the information given.

The Subaru light bulb size guide is a list of all the replacement headlight, parking light, tail-light and reverse bulbs for all Subaru models produced between 1990 to 2016.

Each subheading has an image showing you what type of lamps are used on each car. The images are labeled with the brake light number or code, front sidemarker location/type, front turn signal lamp type and back-up lamp type.

If your model isn’t listed here contact us on our contact tab at the top right hand side of this page! We will be more than happy to assist you finding your headlights bulbs replacements. If you still have trouble finding your correct replacement headlight bulb size please pop over to our Headlight Bulb Replacement section for further help!

Subaru Forester Replacement Bulbs (1990-2009)

The Subaru Forester headlight bulbs are H11. The parking light bulb, front sidemarker lamp and front turn signal lamp could be either 168 or 194 bayonets. The back up lights are T10.

Aftermarket Light Bulbs: Upgrade Options

The Subaru Forester is a crossover SUV that has made a name due to its great maneuverability, power and quality drive. For such a car, it’s mandatory to check the condition of its headlights.

If you wish to customize your Subaru Forester, consider fitting some flashy bright headlights, individualized tail lights, or extra brake lights. These are built to not only assist in safe driving, but to also complement your vehicle.

The Subaru Forester headlights usually serve you for the entire period of car’s service life. However, if they are damaged or got hazy with time, it is good to make some improvements on them. If you look at your headlight and notice that there are some issues (like scratches, discoloration or even cracks), then you need to replace them.

If you don’t know how to do this yourself, consider asking your local mechanic shop what the costs would be for replacing these parts on your vehicle. Usually changing the headlight is not a difficult job for an experienced professional mechanic however if done wrong can damage other parts of your vehicle so please keep in mind that only a professional should change the headlights of any vehicle.

The Subaru Forester Headlights should be correctly aimed and adjusted to ensure that all other drivers see your vehicle while driving at night, or in the bad weather (rain, fog). If you own a 2000-2003 Forester, make sure to check if they are properly aimed since this model’s headlights can be easily misadjusted during installation.

If there is no white dot on your headlight housing (the piece where your headlight fits), it means that this part was built by the manufacturer (Subaru) with an aim of reducing glare for other drivers and improving safety while driving at night. If you adjust your headlights using these lines marked on the road, then their aim will be incorrect and might lead to deteriorating outside visibility.

According to the Subaru service manual, you should always aim your headlights at the third bar (or line) on the horizontal (overhead) scale. However, if you own a 2000-2003 Forester, make sure to check if they are aimed correctly since this model’s headlights can be easily misadjusted during installation.

Once adjusted correctly, make sure that you use only high quality replacement parts for your headlights otherwise it will affect their visibility on the road. If you notice any issues with foggy headlight lenses, broken bulbs or faulty wiring harnesses, don’t hesitate to replace them as soon as possible in order to avoid accidents happening while driving at night or in bad weather conditions.

The Subaru Forester headlights are among the most important parts of your vehicle since they provide light that allows you to drive safely. That’s why it is mandatory to check them regularly and replace them if necessary, or adjust their aim to reduce glare for other drivers on the road.

As with all lights (headlight, taillights), please keep in mind not to touch them directly with your hands since this may leave greasy prints which will attract dust and cause hazy headlights. You can use disposable paper towels or q-tips (cotton bud) instead.

Installation & Diagrams

This bulb replacement guide takes you step by step on how to change a burnt out low beam, front turn signal, side marker, high beam, daytime running lap light bulb for the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester model years.

2018 Forester Headlight replacement

How to replace the Low Beam – Outer Area

Rear of Low Beam Bulb

The recommended light bulb part numbers include: low beam #H11, front turn signal #744NA or 7440A, side marker #2825, high beam #9005, and DRL #2825.

Push In Tab – Pull Off Plug

Grab Base of Low Beam

1/4 Turn Counter-clockwise

• Open the bonnet and move to the burnt out bulb.
• Locate the base of the low beam bulb from behind the headlight assembly.
• Push the electrical connector release tab and slide down the power plug.

Old Low Beam Removed

Empty Bulb Housing

• Rotate the bulb base anticlockwise and pull it out.
• Don’t allow any fingerprints or oils to get onto the glass part of the new bulb. Wipe off any dirt or oils with rubbing alcohol.

Insert New Light Bulb

1/4 Turn Clockwise – Lock

Push On Power Plug

• Insert the new H11 low beam bulb and rotate it clockwise to secure it.
• Push in the power plug until it clicks into place.

How to replace the High Beam – Bottom Inner

Base of Old High Beam

Disconnect Power Plug

• Find the high beam light bulb at the bottom corner of the headlight housing.
• Push the release tab to release the power plug.

Power Plug Removed

1/4 Turn Counterclockwise

Old High Beam Removed

• Rotate the old light bulb using its base and pull it out.

Empty Bulb Housing

Install New High Beam

• Clean off any fingerprints and oils from the glass part of the new light bulb using rubbing alcohol.
• Install the new #9005 high beam bulb.

1/4 Turn Clockwise – Lock

Push On Power Plug

How to replace the Turn Signal – Top Inner

• Turn the base of the new light bulb clockwise and lock it in place.
• Push the power plug into the socket and ensure that it clicks into lace.

See Also:

Subaru Forester Tail Light Bulb Size

Subaru Forester Wheel Size & Specs

See More

Subaru Forester headlight bulb    Subaru Forester hid headlights    Subaru Forester led headlights    Subaru Forester bulb size chart

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