Taking care of your car is extremely important. And it’s not just the big things. Some of the more common maintenance tasks are just as important
Headlights and their care can be a great example. And in this article, we will discuss how to pick new bulbs that suit your vehicle and how to install LED headlights.
Types of Headlights
There are three main types of headlights that come with the vehicle. This difference may depend on the model of the car.
Halogen headlights are brighter than the average lights because they use halogen filament and gas.
The second type is HID headlights. It’s an abbreviation of high-intensity discharge. Sometimes HID is called Xenon lights. Gas is used to light up HID headlights. These lights are brighter and operate at a lower temperature.
They also last longer than standard vehicle headlights. But they’re quite expensive and sometimes require professionals to install them properly.
The last type is the LED. LED is light-emitting diodes. Compared to halogen bulbs, they need less power to work and usually work longer. In most cases, they cost more than halogen but less than HID to obtain.
Why’s LED is Better?
We can’t discuss how to install LED headlights without mentioning why LED is one of the best options on the market.
Efficiency: LED headlights have better performance than alternatives. LED bulbs consume energy and, in turn, produce light. They will need less energy to run than the other options, and this marks LED as a more efficient choice for your car.
However, they also run hotter than halogen headlights. So you should consider investing in fans to get the most out of your purchase.
Luminosity: A good headlight bulb should provide the best visibility. LED lights can reach up to several thousand lumens. This will ensure brightness that other bulbs might lack.
The crisp white light LED produces is similar to the natural light. This elevates the LED bulbs and ensures LED lighting is better as compared to the halogen or other conventional lamps.
Durability: An LED bulb can come with a variety of perks. One of them is the increased durability. You will also get more brightness, power, and increases heat protection.
LED should last a long time. Depending on usage, you might not need to change the bulbs for as long as you have the vehicle.
Customization: LED lights are smaller than the common headlight types. This makes them more customizable.
They can come in a variety of colors, so you will no longer have to compromise when it comes to the appearance of your vehicle. LED lights are installable as both headlights or taillights.
How to Choose?
Depending on your vehicle, not all choices might be optimal. As a car owner, you should be aware of which headlights your vehicle uses.
When selecting the replacement headlights, it’s best to consider the brightness of the bulb. There’s also the issue of the price. These two aspects can determine the type of headlights you should get.
For example, let’s assume you wish to replace the old halogen headlights with brighter ones. You can pick HID or LED, as both have excellent Luminosity. However, of the two, HID is the more expensive option.
Depending on your needs and wants, you have several choices that can be good replacement headlights.
When to Change the Headlights?
When thinking about how to install LED headlights, you have to know when is the right time to do so.
It’s vital to keep up to date with technology. When LED and HID became popular in the market, they showed the flaws some halogen or other standard headlights may have.
LED headlights are brighter than halogen, and this means that in dark time of day, you will be able to avoid hazardous situations better.
However, changing the bulbs will do no good (or lessen the impact) if your vehicle’s lenses are grainy or dirty.
You should check on them once in a while because cloudy lenses will impair your vision or even render your purchase invalid.
How to Install LED Headlights
Since LED headlights are the middle ground between affordable and efficient, they are a great addition to the vehicle. Now, let’s discuss how to install LED headlights.
First, it’s advisable to purchase a LED kit. This makes your job easier, as you will have all the components you might need. Please be sure to check the kit’s contents to ensure none of the parts are damaged or missing. Any discrepancies might ruin your hard work.
There may be single or dual-beam bulbs. A single beam means there will be two bulbs for high and low beam. Dual-beam will have a lamp that has them combined in one. Pick which suits your vehicles best and purchase the correct kit.
Basic LED kits usually come with two bulbs, ballasts, and some wiring.
Find your vehicle’s connected bulbs (you will need to open the hood) and disconnect them by unplugging plastic wiring. You may need a flat screwdriver for this task.
A metal clip can secure the old halogen bulbs. You’ll need to remove it before twisting the lamp off. Then, safely store your halogen bulbs, because you’ll need to dispose of them later on.
Pick up your LED bulb, but try not to touch the LED part directly. Locate the headlight socket and place the LED bulb in it. Twist it clockwise to ensure it was correctly installed.
Connect the ballast to the wiring. Place one end of the wire to the harness in your car. As a reference, remember where the halogen bulb’s connected, as the other end of the wire has to be connected to the LED bulb.
Lastly, power up the car and turn on the headlights. Make sure to alter the position of the headlights if needed. It can’t be too high or too low. To adjust the lights, just tune the alignment screws.
Ready to Try This Out for Yourself?
Of course, learning how to install LED headlights can be a hard task, especially for a first-timer. If you run into difficulties, consider enlisting the help of a professional.
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