Below is a video on how to replace/ upgrade high & low headlight bulbs in your newer Subaru (Legacy).
If you could subscribe or like the video…. thanks, I hope this helped someone out there. If you know someone that it could help just press the share button and share it with them. Be sure to check back for more do it yourself fixes soon.
Today we will be showing you how to replace your stock bulbs because they burnt out high (9005) & low (H7) or because you want upgrade your High and low beam bulbs to the sylvania ultra stars headlight bulbs in your newer Subaru. We are changing them on a 2005 Subaru Legacy.
You want the car to be cool so you don’t accidentally bump something that would be hot and burn yourself. First let’s start by opening the hood of the car. With the prop rod properly installed and holding the hood up. We will start on the driver’s side. Next we need to remove the push pin that holds the washer bottle fill pipe. To do this use a Phillips screw driver to twist the top part of it. Then use the needle nose pliers to wiggle the lower part of the push pin out. With the push pin removed we can now flex the washer fill out of the way. They do replacement push pins if you break one.
With the washer fill pipe moved out of the way we can now remove the large white/ gray cover over the low beam bulb. To do this grasp it and turn it towards the driver side and remove it. It does have lock/ unlock written on it with arrows along with the word TOP. With cover removed you will see the bulb. First remove the plug end off the bulb. With the plug end off the bulb now we can press the spring clip towards the front of the car and then down towards the bottom of the car and swing it out of the way. Once the spring clip is out of the way you can remove the old bulb.
Next we can open and install the new bulb. BECAREFUL not to touch the glass part of any light bulb as the oils from your hand will shorten the life of the bulb. There is a notch on the headight housing and there is one on the bulb you will need to align them in order to install the bulb. With the new bulb in you can now swing the spring clip back into position and press it down towards the bottom of the car and then towards the front of the car and then upward and release it into the latch. With the bulb installed we can now reconnect the plug end or wiring. Once the wiring is reconnected we can now reinstall the large cover by sliding it into position and twisting it towards the passenger side.
With the low beam replaced we can now move onto the high beam bulb. First remove the plug end by squeezing the bottom of the clip and sliding it off the bulb. Next grasp the High beam bulb and twist it counter clockwise and slide the bulb out of the headlight. Next open and grab the new bulb, when installing the bulb there are 3 tabs on the bulb that need to be aligned with the 3 on the headlight housing. With the bulb in twist it clockwise to lock it in and then reattach the plug end. To finish off the driver’s side move the washer bottle fill pipe back into position and reinstall the push pin by push the lower part into the hole and then pressing the top part in to lock it into position.
Next we can move onto the passenger side. First let us start by removing the two push pins that hold the inlet for the air box in position. Once you have the push pins removed we can now lift up and slide the inlet for the air box towards the front of the car to remove it. With the inlet removed we can now remove the white/ grey large cover over the low beam bulb same as we did the driver’s side. Grasp the cover and turn it towards the driver’s side. With cover removed you can remove the plug end off the bulb. With the plug end off the bulb now we can press the spring clip towards the front of the car and then down towards the bottom of the car and swing it out of the way. Once the spring clip is out of the way you can remove the old low beam bulb. Same as before there is a notch on the bulb and the headlight housing that need to be aligned. Once the bulb is in you can swing the spring clip back and reattach it and secure the bulb in. Next reconnect the plug end onto the bulb and then reinstall the white/ gray cover and twist it towards the passenger side to lock it in.
Next we will move onto the high beam on the passenger side. First remove the plug end off the bulb. Next grasp the bulb and turn it towards the passenger side and remove it. Open the new bulb and align the three tabs with those inside the headlight housing and once you have the bulb in turn it towards the driver’s side. Next reattach the plug end for the bulb. With the bulb installed and the plug end on we can now reinstall the inlet for the air box. Start by sliding the tapered edge into the air box and then lining up the push pin holes and installing the push pins just like before the lower part first and then the top part.
With the inlet for the air box reinstalled… that’s it you have just replaced the high and low beam bulbs on the driver’s and passenger side of your newer subaru.
Thank you very much for posting your headlamp replacement video. The step by step explaination really made the driver’s side job much less daunting a task. As we all know manufacture’s have crammed a great deal of equipment intro very small spaces. My theory is this is often to dissuade the faint of heart from attempting to DIY. By the way for those of us looking to merely do a halogen bulb swap; Advance Auto Parts sells a low beam (H-7) (SKU #7 62164 20726 7) replacement bulb sold under the name “Tough One” for $4.49. The bulb is boxed with a convenient Styrofoam sleeve to avoid oil transfer from finger tip to the bulb! Quite ingenious; just sayin’.
Unfortunately, in the 2013 Legacy, they have moved the Low Beam lights up and back in the fender and it is now necessary to remove the fender lining just to replace the bulbs. So far, I can’t find instructions to remove the liners.
You are correct to replace the low beam on a newer Legacy/ Outback you will need to turn the wheel to the opposite side of where you need to replace the bulb OR put the car on a flat surface, jack it up and remove the tire on the side your replacing. You will need to remove the push pin clip on the bottom on the bumper near the wheel well and then the clip where the bumper and the fender meet on the edge of the wheel well. A flat screwdriver & Needle nose pliers work well. With those clips remove you should be able to pop the liner loose and move it out of the way. Then you will need to reach up and remove the grey plastic cover and then replace bulb. I need to borrow someones newer legacy/ outback so I can do a video on it as a lot of people ask about it.
This was EXACTLY what I was looking for and could only have been better if it referred to me by name.
I was dreading that I would need to bring my car to a mechanic, but a trip to the auto parts store and about 20 minutes of labor and I can drive at night again.
I’m at the step called “give it a little wiggle and it should pop off.” Nope. There is no wiggle and no popping off. Now what?? Is there a tool for this? I can’t get the headlight cover off. I have weak hands, so what you think is easy is impossible for me.
I’m guessing your talking about removing the high beam bulb. Just be sure to turn it enough so the tabs can come out though the holes. Wiggle it a bit as you pull out and it should slide out. It may take a few tries and some patience. Just got your new message.. Glad to hear you got it out. Sometimes you get one that is a little more difficult to remove or put back together. Thanks for watching and I hope you get the other bulbs replaced with ease.
About to upgrade headlights on my wife’s ’05 Outback and this excellent video will save at least an hour in the overall scheme of things, or I miss my guess! Thank you!
The video together with the full transcript are really helpful. Thank you. Would you please share a video or list of steps to replace front turn signal light bulbs for impreza 2010?
You could use the SYLVANIA SilverStar zXe if it is the same as the USDM GT it would be a 9005 high beam -> https://amzn.to/2nGZcCp and a H1 low beam -> https://amzn.to/2w8s5Lv . If you wanted the same bulbs as in the video 9005 -> https://amzn.to/2PdWxNa and the H1 -> https://amzn.to/2wbRyDM. If it were the base model or a version of the L it would have a 9007 bulb which would do the high and low beam. -> https://amzn.to/2OHL9bp. Hope that helps. Be sure to check the bulb to get the right part #.
Thank you very much for posting your headlamp replacement video. The step by step explaination really made the driver’s side job much less daunting a task. As we all know manufacture’s have crammed a great deal of equipment intro very small spaces. My theory is this is often to dissuade the faint of heart from attempting to DIY. By the way for those of us looking to merely do a halogen bulb swap; Advance Auto Parts sells a low beam (H-7) (SKU #7 62164 20726 7) replacement bulb sold under the name “Tough One” for $4.49. The bulb is boxed with a convenient Styrofoam sleeve to avoid oil transfer from finger tip to the bulb! Quite ingenious; just sayin’.
Your welcome, glad we could help. That’s good to know, I’ll keep that in mind the next time someone wants to just replace with an OEM style bulb.
Unfortunately, in the 2013 Legacy, they have moved the Low Beam lights up and back in the fender and it is now necessary to remove the fender lining just to replace the bulbs. So far, I can’t find instructions to remove the liners.
You are correct to replace the low beam on a newer Legacy/ Outback you will need to turn the wheel to the opposite side of where you need to replace the bulb OR put the car on a flat surface, jack it up and remove the tire on the side your replacing. You will need to remove the push pin clip on the bottom on the bumper near the wheel well and then the clip where the bumper and the fender meet on the edge of the wheel well. A flat screwdriver & Needle nose pliers work well. With those clips remove you should be able to pop the liner loose and move it out of the way. Then you will need to reach up and remove the grey plastic cover and then replace bulb. I need to borrow someones newer legacy/ outback so I can do a video on it as a lot of people ask about it.
This was EXACTLY what I was looking for and could only have been better if it referred to me by name.
I was dreading that I would need to bring my car to a mechanic, but a trip to the auto parts store and about 20 minutes of labor and I can drive at night again.
Thanks.
You’re welcome, Glad we could help.
I’m at the step called “give it a little wiggle and it should pop off.” Nope. There is no wiggle and no popping off. Now what?? Is there a tool for this? I can’t get the headlight cover off. I have weak hands, so what you think is easy is impossible for me.
I’m guessing your talking about removing the high beam bulb. Just be sure to turn it enough so the tabs can come out though the holes. Wiggle it a bit as you pull out and it should slide out. It may take a few tries and some patience. Just got your new message.. Glad to hear you got it out. Sometimes you get one that is a little more difficult to remove or put back together. Thanks for watching and I hope you get the other bulbs replaced with ease.
Got it. That was hard!! Thanks for posting, but it’s not easy and all the pieces don’t come off and go back on just like in the video!
About to upgrade headlights on my wife’s ’05 Outback and this excellent video will save at least an hour in the overall scheme of things, or I miss my guess! Thank you!
Your welcome, Hopefully it will go smoothly for you. Thanks for watching.
The video together with the full transcript are really helpful. Thank you. Would you please share a video or list of steps to replace front turn signal light bulbs for impreza 2010?
I have the 04 liberty. Same as the legacy, please recommend a brand for low beams
You could use the SYLVANIA SilverStar zXe if it is the same as the USDM GT it would be a 9005 high beam -> https://amzn.to/2nGZcCp and a H1 low beam -> https://amzn.to/2w8s5Lv . If you wanted the same bulbs as in the video 9005 -> https://amzn.to/2PdWxNa and the H1 -> https://amzn.to/2wbRyDM. If it were the base model or a version of the L it would have a 9007 bulb which would do the high and low beam. -> https://amzn.to/2OHL9bp. Hope that helps. Be sure to check the bulb to get the right part #.