What lamps are better to put in the headlights
The question of which lamps should be put in the headlights of your vehicle is asked by almost every motorist. This applies to all main lights: low and high beams, dimensions, emergency signals. The article will talk about what parameters you need to focus on when choosing the type of headlight bulbs, and will give a number of useful recommendations in this regard.
How to choose headlight bulbs
dipped beam
The operation of low beam headlights is what ensures safety when driving in the dark periods of the day. That is why it is so important to choose and install the right type of lamps. It can be not only about replacing the light source, but also about adding to standard equipment.
Basically, there are 4 ways:
- xenon installation;
- installation of LEDs;
- the use of "halogens";
- addition to the already installed lighting.
Xenon is not so easy. In the Russian Federation, for example, it is forbidden by law to install xenon headlights on cars in which this is not provided for by the design requirements (that is, those for which xenon is not a “native” light).Discarding this moment, it is worth noting the advantages of lamps of this type:
- brightness;
- reliability;
- long service life;
- compatibility with different car models;
- affordable price.
LEDs are even cheaper than xenon, and much easier to install in the headlight. LED lamps are also distinguished by their durability and bright light, however, in the context of car headlights, they have a serious drawback. Read more about this in the "Mistakes when choosing lamps" section.
Often modern halogen bulbs are installed in low beam headlights. Their advantages over standard "halogens" are high power, as well as high-quality quartz glass filaments. Plus the price is not the most frightening. However, this type also has disadvantages: a relatively short service life and lower brightness compared to xenon and LED.
The installation of additional lighting in the headlights implies the refinement of optics, including the installation of special lenses - bilenses. It is noted that a better luminous flux can be achieved if the headlights are modified with bilenses and xenon lamps are added to this. Mounting lenses without altering the optics is an empty business. For the driver, the dipped beam of such headlights will not be bright enough, and, on the contrary, it can blind oncoming road users.
Read also: Best H1 bulbs for high beam
high beam
The main task of high beam headlights is to provide the driver with normal visibility over a long distance, including in bad weather conditions. The luminous flux for this must be wide. Xenon lamps give more width than halogen lamps, so they seem to be preferred.
But this is a theory, but in practice, xenon, as already noted, is not suitable for all headlights. A more versatile option is halogen luminous devices. Their marking contains the capital letter H. For installation in high beam lights, bulbs H1, H4, H7, H9, H11, HB3 are used.
As for the fog lights, their function is to create a spot of light, which, due to reflection from the road surface, will clear the driver's visibility. They are mounted in the bumper and shine from below. The main rule about foglights is that xenon does not fit here. Of the "halogens" use H3, H7, H11.
Dimensions
Traditionally, halogen bulbs are put in side lights, and there are only 2 reasonable reasons for replacing them with LEDs:
- economy and durability;
- LED-light is visually more beautiful and has a greater variability of settings.
For the front dimensions, W5W lamps are suitable, for the rear - 21 / 5W.
emergency gangs
Hazard lights are installed to warn of vehicle malfunctions, due to which it carries a potential danger to other road users. For such lights, LED bulbs with the following characteristics are best suited:
- Optimum brightness in the range of 50-100 lm.
- The illumination angle is not less than 270 degrees.
Mistakes when choosing headlight bulbs and useful tips
In conclusion, a few recommendations on how to avoid mistakes with the choice of lamps for headlights and side lights of a car. One of the most common mistakes is related to LED lamps. Light sources of this type are simply not suitable for all headlights.If the standard device of the car is designed specifically for halogen or xenon, “torturing” it with LED bulbs is a stupid idea, and even unsafe.
First and foremost, LED lamps are larger in size than halogen lamps. Therefore, LED bulbs may simply not correspond to headlights in terms of technical parameters.
They will burn, but the harm from such light is more than good. Firstly, due to the specified discrepancy between the optics, not all of the light flux gets into focus, and this automatically creates the wrong beam. Secondly, such light gives the driver worse visibility of the road than halogen, and, at the same time, dazzles other drivers.
Finally, "disagreements" between the LEDs and the wrong headlight model lead to regular overheating of the bulbs. This requires the installation of additional cooling equipment in the headlights, and sometimes the correction of head optics. Without such interventions, the lamp will not last long.
Now for other types. The installation of xenon lamps in the headlights of a “non-native” model should be entrusted to the masters, and not trying to do everything on your own. A full transition to xenon is possible only with the installation of high-quality lenses, not to mention other additional equipment like corrector and headlight washer.
In "halogens" for cars, power is of paramount importance. The use of 90, and even more so 110-watt, lamps of this type for any driver should be taboo. This is fraught with problems with wiring, melting the headlight itself. In addition, high power, coupled with the Achilles' heel of "halogens" - insufficient brightness - will create a blinding luminous flux for drivers of oncoming cars.A much more reasonable solution is to purchase a "halogen" with increased light output.
Another recommendation is that if a halogen or xenon lamp fails on one headlight, it is better to immediately replace the light source with another. The exception is a factory defect or accidental damage.
Finally, when choosing lamps for a car, you should always consider the shade of the light. Neutral white is the most effective (primarily for low beams), yellow is less effective, although it is better to use it for high beams and fog lights.
Mounting lights with a blue or purple luminous flux is clearly not the best idea. This is simply ineffective, which means it is risky for the lives of road users. Plus, it might be illegal.
