Buy Jaguar XF Headlight Assembly

Quick Overview

The Jaguar XF's headlight-also called a headlamp, front lamp, or lighting assembly-is more than a pretty face; it mixes style with safety, moving from early halogen and bi-xenon projectors to today's "Double J" all-LED beams with adaptive tech that swivels into corners. (Jaguar Media Centre, Jaguar Media Centre) These lights must meet tough rules like Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 in the U.S. and ECE R112 in Europe. (support.kchilites.com, NHTSA) Knowing the parts, bulbs, and common issues lets drivers keep the road bright and stay legal.

Compatibility

• First-generation XF (2008-2015): Base models use H7 halogen low/high beams; higher trims fit D3S bi-xenon projectors with auto-leveling. (Jaguar Forums, Jaguar Forums)
• Facelift 2012-2015: Slimmer bi-function HID headlights became standard across more trims. (Jaguar Media Centre)
• Second-generation XF (2016-2020): Optional full-LED or HID units; weight-saving aluminum body improved cooling around the lamps. (Car and Driver, Car and Driver)
• 2021-present (P300 & Sportbrake): Ultra-slim Pixel-LED quad beams with "Double J" DRLs and adaptive driving beam that masks glare for oncoming traffic. (Jaguar Media Centre, Jaguar Media Centre)

Headlight Types

← scroll table horizontally →

(ownerinfo.jaguar.com, ownerinfo.jaguar.com, Jaguar Media Centre)

Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)

AFS turns the beam up to 15° into a bend to light up curves sooner, using steering-wheel and speed inputs. (ownerinfo.jaguar.com)

Bulb Specs

• Halogen H7: 55 W, ~1,500 lumens, cheap but shorter life.
• D3S HID: 42 V, 35 W, mercury-free arc tube, up to 3,200 lumens. (Philips Images)
• Factory LED module: Rated 15+ years, instant full brightness, lower draw.
  Always replace bulbs in pairs to keep color even and avoid stray beam patterns. (Jaguar Forums)

Common Issues

• Condensation behind the lens can fog the beam and fail inspections; gently warming the lamp or using silica packs often clears it. (Jaginfo, The Irish Sun)
• HID ballast failure leads to flicker or shut-off; swap ballasts side to side to confirm before buying parts. (Jaguar Forums)
• Burned wiring on early halogens due to heat build-up-check sockets for browning. (Jaguar Forums)

DIY Replacement

1. Turn wheel inward for access and remove the wheel-arch liner clip.
2. Undo three T30 Torx bolts on top, one on side, slide lamp forward, disconnect harness. (Jaguar Forums)
3. Swap bulb-no bare fingers on HID or LED chips; oils shorten life.
4. Refit, then aim beams on a level wall: cutoff should sit at or just below headlight centerline 25 ft away. (YouTube)

Technology Features

• Auto High-Beam Assist (AHBA) dips the beam for traffic using a windshield camera. (ownerinfo.jaguar.com)
• Pixel-LED divides the high-beam into 16+ segments, blanking those that would dazzle others while keeping the rest on. (Jaguar Media Centre)
• Cornering LEDs add a static side light below 22 mph for tight turns and parking maneuvers. (ownerinfo.jaguar.com)

Maintenance Tips

• Wash plastic lenses with pH-neutral soap; harsh chemicals craze the UV coating.
• Re-seal small cracks with UV-resistant epoxy to block moisture. (XFForum)
• Update software at service visits-Jaguar issues firmware that refines beam patterns and reduces AFS motor noise. (Jaguar)

Legal & Safety

Blinding glare is a top complaint to regulators; aim too high and you risk tickets or accidents. (NHTSA) Always keep headlamps free of snow, mud, or plastic protectors that scatter light. European trips need a beam-deflector sticker or a setting change in the instrument menu so you don't dazzle right-hand traffic. (ownerinfo.jaguar.com)

Environmental Disposal

HID bulbs contain trace mercury. Recycle them at a household hazardous-waste site instead of trashing them. (US EPA, US EPA) LEDs and halogens have no mercury but still hold metals and glass; many cities let you drop them at e-waste depots. (The Spruce)

Upgrades & Customization

• LED retrofit kits for 2008-2015 cars can raise output by 40 % when matched with projector optics, but pick units that carry ECE R37 or DOT marks to stay road-legal. (YouTube, support.kchilites.com)
• Smoked lenses look sleek but cut light up to 10 %, hurting safety-stick to clear OE-style covers. (Car and Driver)
• Matrix software tweaks (done by specialists via diagnostic tool) unlock additional beam patterns for track use.

Purchasing Pointers

• Match part numbers printed on the housing near the adjuster screw; first-gen and second-gen lamps are not interchangeable. (Jaguar Forums)
• Check that leveling motors, DRL strips, and indicators all come with the unit-some salvage lamps are sold "bare."
• Beware of low-cost copies lacking proper ventilation; fogging shows up within weeks. (The Irish Sun)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do 2021+ XF LED headlights fit my 2014 XF?
A: No-mount points, wiring, and body shape differ between generations. (Jaguar Media Centre)

Q: My dash shows "Adaptive Lighting Fault." What now?
A: Most times the AFS module lost calibration; a dealer or scan-tool reset fixes it, but check for moisture first. (Jaguar Forums, Jaginfo)

Q: Which bulb code is the low beam on a 2012 XF Premium?
A: It uses a D3S xenon capsule in the main projector. (Jaguar Forums)

Q: Can I swap halogen bulbs for LEDs without error codes?
A: Use CAN-bus compatible LED kits and keep wattage near 55 W to avoid bulb-out warnings. (Jaguar Forums)

Q: How often should I aim my headlamps?
A: Check aim after every bulb or suspension change, or at least once a year; mis-aim even by 1° cuts useful distance by 50 ft. (YouTube)

Q: Are headlight covers legal?
A: Clear protective films are fine, but tinted shields that reduce light below standards can fail inspections. (support.kchilites.com)

Q: What's the safest way to clean inside the lens?
A: Remove the rear cap, use compressed air only-water leaves spots that bake on. (Jaginfo)

This guide arms you with specs, troubleshooting steps, and upgrade ideas so your Jaguar XF's headlight-no matter if you call it a headlamp, beam, or front light-stays bright, stylish, and legal.