Headlights play an important role in providing illumination when driving at night. Although headlights become dimmer with age, the process of dimming is so slow and subtle that many drivers do not notice when the headlights need replacing. Other factors such as collision can also affect the effectiveness of your vehicle's headlights, necessitating replacement.
Read on to learn more about replacing your vehicle's headlights.
Headlights Replacement
Experts recommend changing your headlight bulbs regularly for better night visibility. Here are some signs that you should upgrade your headlight bulbs:
- Dim bulb:
Over time, headlight bulbs will lose their shine and become dimmer and dimmer. Old or damaged light bulbs will give out a pale yellow instead of a bright white light.
- Weak light beam:
The beam of light your headlights emit should be powerful and illuminate further down the road. Aging or broken light bulbs will emit a weak beam of light that illuminates only across short distances.
- Flickering lamps:
Flickering is a sure sign of aging or malfunctioning headlight lamps. Expect flickering bulbs to burn out soon.
- Cracked headlights:
A crack in your headlights, resulting from a collision, can affect the strength of light the headlights deliver, making night driving difficult.
If you have been in a collision, take this opportunity to upgrade your headlight assembly for functional and/or aesthetic purposes.
Halogen, HID, and LED Headlights
Halogen bulbs are the standard lamps found in many cars. While standard halogen lamps get the job done, they emit a comparably dimmer white or blue light.
When considering a headlights upgrade, the two common choices are high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Both HID and LED lamps deliver a whiter and brighter light than standard halogen bulbs. Even then, experts say that not all HID or LED lights will work perfectly.
If you are thinking about investing in a headlights upgrade either for functional or cosmetic reasons, look for high-quality lamps that will deliver the correct brightness and light pattern.
Reflector Vs. Projector Headlights
When choosing whether to replace your halogen bulbs with HID or LED bulb, consider the headlights housing. The two types of housing are reflector and projector.
Reflector headlights come as a standard in most vehicles, while newer cars increasingly feature projector headlights.
Both types of headlights have many similarities. The main difference is that a projector headlight features a magnifying lens, which makes the light beam brighter.
Additionally, projector headlights also come with a shield that shapes the angle of the light beam so that the beam illuminates downwards for better road visibility. This feature further adds to the brightness of projector headlights.
LED and HID light bulbs are best suited for projector-style headlights. These bulbs may be too bright when installed in reflector headlights and can blind other drivers. However, whether you need reflector or projector headlights will depend on factors such as the model of your vehicle.
OEM Vs. Aftermarket Headlights
Headlights are available as aftermarket or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. The car's manufacturer makes and distributes OEM headlights. The advantage is that the quality of OEM headlights is guaranteed.
Aftermarket headlights are products of third-party manufacturers. These headlights are less expensive and are available in a variety of styles to improve aesthetic appeal and boost visibility.
To get the most from aftermarket headlights, only buy from reputable manufacturers or ask your auto body repair shop for recommendations on where to source high-quality headlights.
Investing in new headlights is one of the fastest and relatively affordable ways to upgrade the look and performance of your vehicle. A reputable auto repair shop can help you select and professionally install the headlights that best suit your car.
If you want collision repair services in Gainesville, FL, get in touch with the pros at
Automotive Super Sports
for exceptional and affordable services.
