Will Changing from a 55W Bulb to an 85W CIPA EVO Alfas Bulb CM93442 Damage Vehicle Wiring

Question:

I own two vehicles, one Toyota Venza 2013 and one 2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5 Wagon. I believe both vehicles have 55Watt halogen light bulbs. Im wondering if the CIPA EVO Formance Alfas Maximum, rated at 85Watts is truly safe to be installed on both of my cars? I don’t want to burn any of my cars factory wirying or end up replacing multiple fuses or worse yet cause and electrical fire. Please let me know Thank you

asked by: Stephane

Expert Reply:

A watt is the amount of work done when current flows through at a certain voltage. In terms of light bulbs like the # CM93442 CIPA EVO Alfas you referenced, this would be how much light is emitted when the light is installed in a 12V system on a vehicle. The increased wattage itself will not harm the vehicle lighting system. Your concern will be whether the increased amperage would be too much for the circuit to handle.

Comparing a 85W bulb to a 55W bulb, you would be seeing an increase of about 2.5 amps, going from around 4.5 amps to slightly over 7 amps. I would bet that when you check in the fuse box for your headlight circuit, you probably have a 10 amp fuse in there right now. If that is the case, you will want to change it out for a 15 amp fuse to accommodate the increase in amperage. Otherwise, the 10 amp fuse will blow when you try to use the new bulbs.

I installed a set of the Alfas bulbs in our Ford Taurus for my husband, and he really likes the brightness and the look of them.

expert reply by: Sarah L