Should I change my headlights to LEDs?
Auto repair

Should I change my headlights to LEDs?

09.11.2022 /

Headlight technology has evolved significantly over the last couple of decades. Back in the day, cars had sealed headlights (you had to change the housing when a bulb burned out). Then came permanent lenses and interchangeable small bulbs - halogen bulbs are the most common, but there are others, including xenon bulbs. Now there are LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs, but do you need to change the light bulbs?

What you should know

LEDs offer many benefits, but are they right for you? Some of the benefits of using LEDs include the following:

  • Reducing the power consumption of your systemA: This may or may not be an argument for you because your car was designed to work well with stock incandescent bulbs.

  • Extended LifespanA: LED lamps can last a very long time; much longer than halogen bulbs, xenon bulbs or anything else on the market.

These are the main benefits. Some people claim that LED lamps provide better lighting, but this is only true for certain types. LEDs actually produce very bright light, but because of their small size, you need more light bulbs to get the same light output as a standard halogen bulb.

Then there is the question of directionality. In halogen lamps, the reflector directs and amplifies the light (bulbs are omnidirectional and the reflector reflects the light forward). If the LED bulbs you choose don't have a reflector or other means of directing the light where you need it, you may not get the best light.

You will also have to contend with additional hardware. With a standard halogen or xenon bulb, the bulb is connected directly to the wiring harness and then screwed into the back of the headlamp lens. LEDs are different. There is an additional component (radiator) that needs to be placed somewhere under the hood.

Is switching to LED bulbs the right move for you? It could be, but you'll have to balance the cost of a quality replacement with the difficulty of installing them, and the light output (and reach) of the LEDs you choose to replace conventional incandescent bulbs with.

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