Mazda 3 Automatic headlights and HID

Yes

Sensor only senses change in ambient light not what bulbs are in the housing. You can yank out the bulb and it would probably still send current if the sensor senses darkness you just want see it. Stick a fork in it and you will know for sure but I wouldn't recommend that.

Supercooled wrote: ↑Yes

Sensor only senses change in ambient light not what bulbs are in the housing. You can yank out the bulb and it would probably still send current if the sensor senses darkness you just want see it. Stick a fork in it and you will know for sure but I wouldn't recommend that.

Thanks bud

just make sure you dont put HID inside halogen optics. it is a big no no and illegal. use projectors

Stronzo1 wrote: ↑just make sure you dont put HID inside halogen optics. it is a big no no and illegal. use projectors

The Mazda3 comes stock with projectors. They're not like Civics/Corollas that use reflector housings.

Op, my only recommendation would be to see how sensitive the auto lights are. I remember when I had my Mazda3, I turned the auto lights function off after I put in HID's since the low beams would turn on and off abruptly/quickly. This is not good for longevity of the lights.

I have a mazda5 with auto lights. the bulbs kept blowing so I put in HIDS. I find that sometimes they both turn on when you turn on the ignition but it's not 100%
so now I have to flip the headlights to 'on' before I turn the key to get them both to light up. it's a real PITA. I wish that I never installed them now.

crono06 wrote: ↑The Mazda3 comes stock with projectors. They're not like Civics/Corollas that use reflector housings.

Op, my only recommendation would be to see how sensitive the auto lights are. I remember when I had my Mazda3, I turned the auto lights function off after I put in HID's since the low beams would turn on and off abruptly/quickly. This is not good for longevity of the lights.

ok good, thats awesome u dont want to be like those Civics

Stronzo1 wrote: ↑just make sure you dont put HID inside halogen optics. it is a big no no and illegal. use projectors

Doesn't stop all the ricers from doing it.

I have a 2006 Mazda 5 with after market HID that I installed myself. They work very well, the stock projector seems work with the HID without blinding on coming drivers.

The only thing you need for a proper and working installation is the addition of a relay wire harness. This is required because of the DRL which will cause the HID to flicker because DRL does not supply a constant 12V when on.

Even if you install aftermarket HID in stock projectors, it still isn't good. Its best to do a proper retrofit and use better projectors. The stock halogen projectors are not meant to be used with aftermarket HID bulbs. I know for a fact that the stock halogen projector in an Impreza is different from a WRX/STi sport tech bi xenon projector.

DJ_Peanuts22 wrote: ↑Doesn't stop all the ricers from doing it.

Don't forget the pickup, cargo vans and minivans drivers.

djemzine wrote: ↑Don't forget the pickup, cargo vans and minivans drivers.

Very true.

Thanks for the info!

djemzine wrote: ↑Even if you install aftermarket HID in stock projectors, it still isn't good. Its best to do a proper retrofit and use better projectors. The stock halogen projectors are not meant to be used with aftermarket HID bulbs. I know for a fact that the stock halogen projector in an Impreza is different from a WRX/STi sport tech bi xenon projector.

Yep, the optical beam pattern is totally different. You'll get a clean cutoff, but that's because it's the nature of projectors. Everything under the cutoff is still a glare fest. Oncoming drivers can definitely tell what cars are using HID bulbs in halogen projectors.

djemzine wrote: ↑Even if you install aftermarket HID in stock projectors, it still isn't good. Its best to do a proper retrofit and use better projectors. The stock halogen projectors are not meant to be used with aftermarket HID bulbs. I know for a fact that the stock halogen projector in an Impreza is different from a WRX/STi sport tech bi xenon projector.

This man speaks the truth.