Will replacing 12v55w with 12v100w make it brighter?

[MadelynAnn]

It can be used, but it is not recommended. The following is an introduction to automotive bulb-related content: Bulb: It is made based on the principle of the thermal effect of electric current, referring to a lighting source that emits light and heat through electrical energy, invented by Henry Goebel (Edison actually found suitable materials, that is, invented practical incandescent lamps, while bulbs appeared as early as 1854). Bulb function: "Lighting appliances" emerged with the continuous development of human civilization, and the most common function of bulbs is lighting. With the development of society, the utilization of bulbs has also undergone different changes. Initially, it might have been to provide convenience for production and life, but with the progress of society, there have been significant changes in the use of bulbs, starting to have functional lighting for different purposes such as "automobiles, beautifying the environment, decoration" etc.

[SanJulianna]

Last time I replaced the 55W bulb with a 100W one, and the light instantly became much brighter, but at a significant cost. Within less than half an hour of driving, I smelled burning, and the plastic socket had melted and deformed. The mechanic took it apart and found that the wire insulation had melted. He explained that the original vehicle wiring was designed for 55W and couldn't handle nearly double the power. Thinking back, it's scary—overloading the current might just blow a fuse, which is minor, but if it had caused a fire, the consequences would have been disastrous. If you really want to improve brightness, it's better to choose proper LED bulbs—they're both energy-efficient and safe.

[VonLandon]

Directly replacing bulbs poses significant risks! Although the voltage remains at 12V, increasing the power from 55W to 100W causes the current to surge from 4.6 amps to 8.3 amps. The original wiring harness, akin to capillaries, is forced to handle the blood flow of a major artery, inevitably leading to overheating of the wires. Last year, my neighbor's car burned out its relay due to this exact issue, costing over 800 yuan in repairs. To enhance lighting, it's advisable to upgrade the lens or opt for the original high-specification assembly. Unauthorized installation of high-power bulbs may also be deemed illegal modification.

[VioletMarie]

Short-term it brightens, long-term it damages. Doubling bulb wattage overloads the circuit, risking three major issues: accelerated wire harness aging/melting, cracked lenses from heat, and premature battery failure. The worst case seen by modifiers was a burned-out BCM (Body Control Module), with repair costs equaling half the car's value. For safer brightness upgrades, consider swapping 55W halogens for 35W LEDs—doubling lumens without harming circuits.