9005 VS H11 Headlights: The Ultimate Guide from Specs to Regulations

March 25, 2025 ChenDenis

Is h11 the same as 9005？

- Different uses: H11 is often used for fog lights and the low - beam lights of some cars, while 9005 is mainly used for the high - beam illumination of car headlights.

- Different base shapes: The base shapes and fixing positions of the two are different, similar to how different plugs correspond to different sockets.

- Differences in bulb body shape: This affects the light - emission effect.

Why Should You Care About H11 and 9005 Headlights?

According to the U.S. NHTSA, 49% of nighttime accidents are linked to insufficient headlight brightness. As the most common headlight types in American and Japanese vehicles, H11 and 9005 directly impact safety and regulatory compliance. This guide combines real-world testing data from 20 vehicle models, manufacturer specs, and SAE standards to deliver actionable insights.

Basic Parameters: Structure, Applications, and Vehicle Compatibility

Physical Design and Use Cases

Parameter	H11	9005 (HB3)
Base Type	PGJ19-2 (single tab)	PGJ20 (dual tabs)
Bulb Length	58mm	72mm
Primary Use	Fog lights/low beams	High beams
Common Vehicles	Toyota Land Cruiser, Honda CR-V	Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado

Difference between h11 and 9005:

- H11: Compact design for tight fog light housings (e.g., Jeep Wrangler bumper).

- 9005: Longer body + dual tabs for heat dissipation (e.g., Toyota Tundra high-beam assemblies).

Performance Showdown: Real-World Data

Halogen Specs (Osram 55W Reference)

Parameter	H11 Halogen	9005 Halogen
Brightness (lumens)	1,350±50 (3000K yellow)	1,700±50 (5000K white)
Effective Range	30-50m (fog mode)	200-500m (high-beam)
Power Consumption	55W	65W
Lifespan	400 hours	450 hours
Price	$12-18/pair	$15-22/pair

LED Upgrade Specs (Philips X-tremeVision Reference)

Parameter	H11 LED	9005 LED
Brightness (lumens)	3,200 (4300K)	5,800 (6000K)
Power Draw	18W (67% savings)	24W (63% savings)
Lifespan	50,000 hours	50,000 hours
Cooling System	Aluminum + copper braid	Turbo fan + copper base
Price	$45-60/pair	$55-75/pair

Key Findings:

Fog Penetration: H11 yellow light (3000K) provides 40% better visibility in dense fog vs. 9005 white light (Consumer Reports).

Long-Range Performance: 9005 LED beams reach 800m on highways – 2.3x farther than halogen.

Buying Guide: 5 Must-Check Details

1. Vehicle Compatibility

- H11 Fitment:

Toyota Land Cruiser (2014-2023) fog lights

Honda CR-V (2017-2022) low beams

Ford Ranger (2019-2023) fog lights

- 9005 Fitment:

Chevy Silverado 1500 (2015-2023) high beams

Jeep Grand Cherokee (2011-2022) high beams

Nissan Frontier (2020-2023) high beams

2. Compliance Certifications

Certification	H11 Requirements	9005 Requirements
U.S. DOT	FMVSS 108 fog standards	FMVSS 108 high-beam
Beam Pattern	Scatter ≤45°	Max intensity ≤75,000 cd
Color Temp Limit	≤4300K recommended	≤6000K recommended

Real Penalty: A California driver was fined $197 for using 8000K blue H11 fog lights.

Are the installation and maintenance of the H11 and 9005 the same?

H11 Fog Light Install (Ford F-150 Example)

1. Tools Needed: T20 screwdriver, waterproof tape (3M 2228), multimeter.

2. Procedure:

a. Disconnect the battery's negative terminal

b. Remove lower bumper cover (4 screws)

c. Twist counterclockwise to remove the halogen bulb

d. Insert H11 LED, ensuring waterproof seal

e. Secure driver ≥15cm from engine heat

3. Alignment: Fog beam center must be 10cm below headlight height (SAE J583).

9005 High-Beam Maintenance

- Common Issues:

1. Tab corrosion: Clean the PGJ20 base with WD-40

2. Fan noise: Blow dust from heat sinks every 6 months

- Replacement Intervals:

Halogen: 2 years or 30,000 miles

LED: 5 years or <80% brightness (use lux meter)

U.S. Regulatory Highlights

- Intensity Limits

1. High beams (9005): ≤75,000 candela (FMVSS 108 Table XIX)

2. Fog lights (H11): Vertical spread ≤5° (SAE J583)

- Modification Penalties:

1. Texas: Non-DOT LED = 2 license points (Transp. Code §547.3215)

2. New York: Fog lights >5000K = illegal (VAT §375)

Final Recommendations (2025)

Use Case	Best H11 Pick	Best 9005 Pick
Fog/Safety	RCJ 6000K Cool White	N/A
Long-Distance	N/A	FRANXI Night Breaker Laser
Budget-Friendly	RIMTHIN H11 LED bulbs ($33.99)	FRANXI 9005 LED bulbs ($39.99)
Enthusiast Build	Diode Dynamics SS3 Fog Kit	Morimoto XB LED High Beam Kit

Conclusion and Recommended Purchase

Conclusion: 9005 and h11 lamps have their characteristics in terms of usage, performance, installation, regulatory compliance, etc. H11 lamps are suitable for fog lamps and low beam lamps of some models, which have the advantages of high brightness and long service life; while 9005 lamps are mainly used for high beam lighting, with an excellent high beam effect and unique design.

Recommended to buy:

RIMTHIN H11 car lights: high brightness, long life, good foggy day lighting effect.

RCJ 9005 LED lamps have a moderate color temperature and excellent lighting effect, meeting the needs of long-range lighting.

Desert-Approved Brightness

Took these through 120° Arizona summer and monsoon rains. No flickering, no overheating. The cutoff line is sharp enough to not blind other drivers (my neighbor's F-150 crew vouched for me). Bonus: My midnight Walmart run now feels like daylight.

From 'Meh' to Mercedes-Level Lighting

My Corolla's headlights used to look sad and yellow. Now neighbors keep asking if I bought a new car! The sleek black housings give an aggressive look, and the light output shames my buddy's BMW factory LEDs. 5 stars isn't enough!

Installed in 8 Minutes (Yes, Timed It)

Even my tech-challenged wife could've done this install! The CANBUS decoders worked perfectly in my Silverado—there was no hyper flash or dashboard warnings. The 360-degree adjustable bases made alignment a breeze.

So good to be able to see at night

Very bright and made it where I can see the lighted road ahead . Having glockoma and being 75 I thought I was going night blind. The original low lights on my Prius were the only problem. Now I can see the road ahead. Thank for the inexpensive help I needed. I had a problem with one bulb at first . Sent seller message and explained problem. He sent a replacement and the lights work so well nowI don't think any bulb before worked as good. I am lot more confident driving at night than ever.

Perfect Upgrade for My Car's Fog Lights!

I upgraded my car’s fog lights with these LED HB4 fog bulbs, and I am extremely happy with the results! One of the first things I noticed after installation was how stable the lights run. Unlike my previous fog lights, these bulbs operate without any noise, making my driving experience much quieter and more comfortable. I didn’t realize how much of a difference this could make, but it’s such an improvement. Whether I’m driving during the day or at night, the ride feels much smoother .