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Kia Forte Headlight Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out low beam, high beam or front turn signal light bulb in a 1st generation 2010-2013 Kia Forte.

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2013 Forte Headlight
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Two Bolts On Top
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Loosen Counterclockwise
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the first generation (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013) Kia Forte in changing a burnt out low beam, high beam or front turn signal light bulb in the headlight housings.

Owners of other Kia or Hyundai vehicles such as the Optima, Cadenza, K900, Sorento, Sportage, Sedona, Soul, Elantra, Veloster, Sonata, Azera, Tucson, Santa Fe, Genesis, Cerato, Spectra, Accent, Sephia, i20, i30, i40 and Equus may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The replacement bulb part numbers are as follows: Low Beam # H11B, High Beam # H1 and Front Turn Signal 2357A or 2357NA.

The tools needed to replace the bulbs include a 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.



 
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Remove 2nd 10mm Bolt
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2 Bolts Removed
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Electrical Connector
To access the bulbs, you'll first need to remove the headlight housing.

Loosen the two bolts holding it in place by turning them counterclockwise with a 10m socket and 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench.

Set the two bolts aside in a safe place.

Reach in behind the headlight assembly and press the release tab on the black plastic electrical connector before sliding it straight off the housing.

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Disconnect Power Plug
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Pull Out Headlight Assembly
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Turn Over Housing
Turn over the headlight assembly to access the bulbs.
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Low Beam - Center
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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
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Remove Dust Cover
The Low Beam bulb is located at the center of the housing.

Twist off the black plastic dust cap by rotating it 1/4 turn counterclockwise.

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Base of Old Low Beam
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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
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Pull Out Old Bulb
Rotate the base of the old low beam bulb 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out of the housing.
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Osram H11B
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Empty Bulb Socket
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Insert New # H11B
Try to avoid touching the glass part of the new halogen bulb with your finger.

If you do get the new bulb dirty, wipe it clean with an alcohol moistened paper towel.

Insert the new # H11B in to the housing and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

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1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
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Replace Plastic Cover
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High Beam - Inner Edge
Replace the black plastic dust cap by rotating it 1/4 turn clockwise.

The High Beam bulb is located at the inner corner of the housing.

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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
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Base of High Beam Bulb
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Release Metal Hook
Remove the round black plastic cover by rotating it 1/4 turn counterclockwise.

Push in the retaining arm and release it from the metal hook that secures the high beam bulb in place.



 

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Swing Open Metal Arm
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Remove Old High Beam
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Disconnect Power Plug
Swing open the metal retaining arm and pull out the old bulb.

Separate the electrical connector from the old bulb.

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Old # H1 Bulb
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Insert New High Beam Bulb
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Close Metal Arm
Avoid touching the glass part of the new halogen bulb.

Install the new # H1 high beam bulb in to the housing.

Swing the metal retaining arm closed over the new bulb and secure the end in to the metal hook.

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Push On Electrical Connector
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Twist On Clockwise
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Turn Signal - Outer Edge
Push the power plug on to the base of the new high beam bulb.

Replace the dust cap by rotating it 1/4 turn clockwise.

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Turn Signal Bulb Socket
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1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
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Push Down & 1/4 Turn CC
The Front Turn Signal light bulb socket is located at the outer edge of the housing.

Rotate the bulb socket 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out of the housing.

Push the old bulb down in to the socket and rotate it 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out.

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Install New # 2357A
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1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
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Front Corner of Car
Push a new # 2357A or 2357NA amber colored bulb in to the socket and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.
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Slide In Headlight Housing
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Spin In 10mm Bolts
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Turn Clockwise
Carefully slide the headlight assembly back on to the front of the car.

Spin in the two bolts a few turns by hand to prevent them from becoming cross threaded.

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Tighten 10mm Bolt
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Both Bolts Tightened
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Headlight Replaced
Tighten the two bolts by turning them clockwise with the 10mm socket and 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench.
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Push In Power Plug
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Test New Headlight Bulbs
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Testing High Beam Bulb
Reach in behind the housing and push the electrical connector back in to place.

Test the new bulbs by turning on the headlights, activating the hazard signals and flashing the high beams.

For more, check out my other 2010-2013 Kia Forte DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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