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Fitment Guaranteed for 1999 Honda Prelude

What Size Bulbs Does a 1999 Honda Prelude Use?

Correct headlight, fog light, and tail light bulb sizes. Sourced from OEM catalog data.

Installation Difficulty

Easy (Plug and Play)

Est. Replacement Cost

$15 - $40 (Halogen) / $30+ (LED)

What Lighting System Does the 1999 Honda Prelude Have?

The 1999 Honda Prelude features a standard lighting system with 2 bulb positions. It uses halogen technology with a single H1 LED dual-filament bulb handling both low and high beams. The Prelude has been available from 1979 to 2001, and the 1999 model falls in the late-generation years.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 1999 Honda Prelude?

Upgrading the 1999 Honda Prelude to LED headlights is straightforward since it uses a single H1 LED dual-filament bulb for both low and high beams. You only need one pair of LED bulbs to upgrade both functions. Look for a H1 LED LED kit that specifically supports dual-filament operation to ensure both beams work correctly.

How to Replace Bulbs on a 1999 Honda Prelude

The H1 bulb uses a wire clip retainer that snaps over the bulb base. To remove the old bulb, disconnect the wiring harness first, then twist the bulb counter-clockwise and pull it out. Older model years like the 1999 Prelude typically offer easy access to the headlight bulbs from behind the headlight assembly under the hood. Most owners can complete the swap in under 10 minutes per side. When installing the new bulb, avoid touching the glass with bare fingers. Skin oils create hot spots that shorten bulb life. Wear clean gloves or handle the bulb by its plastic base only.

Full Upgrade Bundle

Upgrade All 2 Positions at Once

Low Beam: H1 LEDHigh Beam: H1 LED
Shop Complete LED Kit

1999 Honda Prelude Complete Bulb Size Chart

PositionBulb SizeShop
Low Beam
H1 LEDBuy H1 LED
High Beam
H1 LEDBuy H1 LED
Installation Guide
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How Long Do 1999 Honda Prelude Headlight Bulbs Last?

Standard halogen headlights on the 1999 Honda Prelude have an expected lifespan of 500 to 1,000 hours, which works out to roughly 2 to 3 years of normal use. Signs of a failing halogen bulb include noticeably dimmer output, a yellowish tint compared to the other headlight, or intermittent flickering. At 27 years old, the original bulbs on your Prelude are likely overdue for replacement. Even if they still illuminate, reduced brightness significantly impacts nighttime safety. When one headlight burns out, replace both sides at the same time. Bulbs from the same batch age at similar rates, and mismatched brightness is distracting to oncoming drivers.

What Bulbs Are Compatible with the 1999 Honda Prelude?

The H1 low beam bulb on the 1999 Honda Prelude is a specific fitment. There are no widely recognized cross-compatible alternatives, so make sure to purchase the exact H1 size. Using the wrong bulb size can cause improper beam patterns that reduce your visibility and blind other drivers. It can also cause overheating inside the headlight housing, potentially warping the plastic lens or reflector. Always verify the bulb number before purchasing.

1999 Honda Prelude Headlight FAQ

The 1999 Honda Prelude uses a H1 LED bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

The high beam bulb size for the 1999 Honda Prelude is H1 LED.

The 1999 Honda Prelude uses a single bulb (dual filament) headlight system. This means one bulb controls both high and low beams.

Yes, the 1999 Honda Prelude comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a H1 LED LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Turn off the vehicle and open the hood. Locate the headlight assembly from behind, remove the dust cover or retaining clip, disconnect the wiring harness, twist the old H1 LED bulb counter-clockwise to remove it, then insert the new bulb and reassemble. The whole process typically takes 10 to 30 minutes per side depending on accessibility.

LED bulbs used off-road or in auxiliary lights are legal everywhere. For on-road headlight use, legality varies by state. Many states allow LED retrofits as long as the beam pattern meets DOT standards. For the best legal compliance, choose a DOT-approved H1 LED LED kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

A pair of halogen H1 LED bulbs costs $15 to $40, while LED conversion kits run $25 to $60 per pair. If you have a shop do the work, expect an additional $20 to $50 in labor per bulb. Replacing them yourself at home saves the labor cost and usually takes under 30 minutes.

Halogen bulbs produce a warm yellow light (around 3200K), last 500 to 1000 hours, and draw more power. LED bulbs emit a brighter white light (5000-6000K), last 25,000+ hours, and use less energy. LED upgrades for the H1 LED position are available as direct plug-and-play replacements.

Did Honda Prelude Bulb Sizes Change Over the Years?

Over its production run from 1979 to 2001, the Honda Prelude has seen bulb size changes in the Low Beam and High Beam positions. The 1999 model uses the newer bulb specification introduced around 1997. Always verify the exact bulb size for your specific 1999 model year using the chart above, as using the wrong size can result in poor fitment or reduced light output.

Other Prelude Years

Other Vehicles That Use H1 LED Bulbs

These vehicles from other makes also use a H1 LED low beam bulb: