Title: CHOOSING THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT BULB: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
1CHOOSING THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT BULB EVERYTHING
YOU NEED TO KNOW
- If you are a night rider you will know the
importance of a functional headlight. We all have
been through instances where we got stranded at
an unknown place, at night, with headlights
blacked out and we were helpless. Also, it is
not funny when a cop stops you and informs you
about your dead headlights. These instances can
at times get ugly. So, to stop yourself from a
headache, keeping a regular check on your
headlights is vital. - Here, we'll discuss headlights in detail,
including their different varieties and how to
choose the right one for your automobile. - What information on fundamental headlight health,
maintenance, and replacement should every driver
and vehicle owner be aware of? First, you'll be
in danger on dark roads if your headlights
entirely fail or simply dim to a reduced beam
strength. This is due to the fact that neither
you nor others will be able to see them or the
road clearly. - Headlight Types
- Lights have come a long way, from the tungsten
filament bulbs in the 60s which were later
replaced by the HID bulbs. And now with the
advancement in science and technology LED and
Laser lights are widely used and recommended by
automotive experts. - Now without wasting more time, we will delve
straight into different types of lights available
in the automotive segment and discuss them in
detail so you could find the right fit for your
vehicle. - Halogen Bulbs
- Halogen Lights are mainly comprised of Nitrogen,
Argon with a tungsten filament encased in a
glass covering. The glass is created to resist
exorbitant temperatures. When the light bulb
gets the electric current from the car, this
heats the tungsten filament creating an
illuminating effect. This is the most widely used
headlight bulb you will find in the automotive
world, as per an estimate, halogen is installed
in as much as 80 of all cars. Since the 60s it
has come into vogue due to the low price and the
ease of replacement mixed with a relatively good
lifecycle.
2- Furthermore, halogen lights are inefficient and
dim in comparison to other alternates. A
standard Halogen bulb will produce only 1300
Lumen. While this is pretty good but there are
superior options, if you seek a good light for
your car. - HID (High-Intensity Discharge)
- HID or more commonly known as Xenon was first
introduced by BMW 7 series. These lights
gradually increased their presence in the
automotive world and almost every second car you
see would be using an HID light. High-intensity
discharge headlights contain an amalgamation of
gases and some rare metals that on heating
generate a bright white (or blue) glow that
legislators have stipulated all new cars must
glow. The white light with a tinge of blue light
enhances the aesthetic of your vehicle. - HIDs are almost two to three times throw brighter
than the standard halogen bulbs about 3000 Lumen
compared to 1400 produced from Halogen bulbs and
as a result, this has given a way to complaints
about the level of brightness these lamps
produce. - This increases the acuity of a driver increasing
reaction time to unforeseen obstacles making
driving safer at night. - LEDs
- LEDs are the most energy-efficient lights
available. LED (short for light-emitting diodes)
car lights came to the fore in 2004 but have only
begun to gain popularity in recent times with
more and more people looking for better
alternatives to the stock Halogen bulbs.
3One of the biggest plus points for the LED bulb
is that it is by far the most energy-efficient
alternative in the market. LED Bulbs usually use
15 to 18 watts of power whereas Halogen bulbs
draw 55 to 65 watts and HIDs around 42. You can
discern from these facts how long the lights in
the automotive world have advanced. Furthermore,
looking at all the benefits, we should not forget
that LEDs comparatively cost more than
traditional Halogen and Xenon Lights. If your
pocket allows you can always move forward with
LEDs. And even in the aftermarket, there are
brands that provide OEM-grade LED lights at an
affordable price. One of the largest OEM
suppliers in India is UNO MINDA. YOU can rely on
them. However, you cannot sideline other
alternatives that are as useful and widely
installed in various makes and models.
Final Words Headlights are vital not only for
nighttime driving but a working headlight will
save you tickets as well. To keep yourself and
your car safe, we recommend checking all the
lights not just the headlight, before deciding
to go for a trip. And one more tip for you is,
always prefer a reliable and authorized
aftermarket brand that provides a warranty for
their products. This will protect you from
falling for cheap fake counterfeits.