LED headlights - legal issues and useful tips for retrofitting

LED headlights are now standard on many vehicles. They can be more flexible and have many other benefits. But this does not apply to older cars. But still, even if the manufacturer doesn't offer LED headlights, conversion kits are often available; and they can be installed even without much experience. Here we will tell you what to look for when installing LED headlights and what benefits new lighting provides, as well as what to look for when buying.

Why change lighting?

LED (light emitting diode) has many advantages over its predecessor, the incandescent lamp, as well as its direct competitor, the xenon headlight. Benefits for both you and other road users. They have a service life of several tens of thousands of hours of operation, and due to their high efficiency they consume less electricity with the same light output. In particular, oncoming traffic will appreciate the use of LED lights. Due to the distribution of light over several light sources, LED headlights have a very low glare effect. Even accidentally turning on the high beam is unlikely to interfere with other road users.

Multi-beam LED (Mercedes Benz) и matrix LED (Audi) take one more step forward. These very special LED headlights are a technological extension of the standard LED headlights. The 36 LED modules are controlled by a computer, receiving data from a small camera, which allows it to recognize roundabouts and automatically adapt lighting or turn off high beams when oncoming traffic. These systems are currently only available in very deluxe hardware versions. Probably, in the coming years, the possibility of retrofitting will become available.

A minor disadvantage is

i high purchase price . Even with a long lifespan, LEDs are always more expensive than standard H3 light bulbs or even xenon bulbs. LEDs produce significantly less residual heat. On the one hand, this is an advantage, although it can cause problems. Possible moisture that accumulates in the headlight, causing distortion, does not evaporate very quickly. This can be ignored as long as proper sealing is applied. Some people have observed a certain "ball effect" with PWM LEDs, which is caused by the LED's response time being so short that the result is that the pulsing frequencies turn on and off in very rapid succession. This is unpleasant, although the effect is mitigated by the technical measures of the manufacturers.

Legal issues and things to consider when buying

Headlights are important safety components and are not only used at night. Therefore, the ECE rules are strict and apply not only in our country. Basically, the car is divided into three "zones", namely the front, side and rear. The following rules apply to painting:

Front direction: – With the exception of the fog lamp and turn signals, all headlights must be white. - Mandatory are at least low beam, high beam, parking light, reflector and reversing light. - More parking lights, daytime running lights and fog lights

Side direction: – All lights must glow yellow or orange. - Mandatory are at least direction indicators and signal lamp. - More side marker lights and reflectors.

Direction to the rear: – Depending on the type, different lights are used – Mandatory lights reverse should glow white – Mandatory direction indicators should glow yellow/orange – Mandatory taillights, brake lights and side lights should glow red - Optional are rear fog lights (red) and reflectors (red)

As for the regulation of light output, there are no specific values ​​​​for LEDs, but only for traditional incandescent lamps. An H1 bulb can reach a maximum of 1150 lumens, while an H8 bulb can have approx. 800 lumens. However, it is important that the low beam provides enough light and the high beam provides sufficient illumination. Beam intensity is of secondary importance, as is the case with xenon lamps, for example.You could design your own LED headlight, create a housing for it and install it in your car. You need to pass an inspection to check if its installation complies with the regulations. This also applies if you are not designing the LED headlight yourself but only buying and installing it. An exceptionthis includes certification to ensure that the component, in combination with the respective vehicle, complies with all rules and regulations.

ECE certification, often known as e-certification, comes, like regulations, from the European Commission. It can be recognized by the letter E in a circle or square printed on the package. Often the additional number denotes the issuing country. This symbol ensures that you do not lose your driving license by installing an LED headlight. Additional maintenance inspection is not required.

The transformation is usually quite simple.

Basically, there are two ways to get LED headlights: with a so-called conversion kit or with modified LED headlights . For the first version, you completely replace the headlights, including the body. This is usually not a problem and lasts only an hour on each side, including disassembly. The devil is in the details as it is very important that it is completely sealed to prevent rain water from entering the headlight. In addition, you need to check the wiring.

LEDs have a rectified pulsed current. The power supply, especially in older cars, is not compatible with LEDs, so adapters or transformers must be installed. As a rule, you will be notified about this upon purchase by reading the product description from the manufacturer. If it is only an update where an LED headlight is already theoretically available but not yet available for a specific model ( e.g. Golf VII ), the technology is already there and you only need to replace the case and the plug.

In the case of retrofitting LED headlights, you keep the old housing but replace the traditional light bulbs with LED ones. They are either fully compatible with the old power supply or come with adapters that can be directly attached to the old plugs. Here you are unlikely to make a mistake, because the installation is in principle similar to the usual replacement of a light bulb. However, this is not always the case, as there are also modified active-cooled LEDs equipped with a fan that also needs electricity. Check out the manufacturer's installation advice, and as a rule, nothing can go wrong.

Headlight tuning (angel eyes and devil eyes)

In the field of tuning, there is a trend to take advantage of LED technology. Angel eyes or their devilish counterpart Devil eyes are a special kind of daytime running light. . Because of their limited safety significance, they are not regulated as tightly as low or high beams. Therefore, deviations from the standard design are allowed, and this is used.

Angel Eyes look like two luminous rings around the low beam or turn and brake lights.

Devil Eyes have a curved edge and its corner gives the impression that the car has an “evil look” and looks sullenly at someone.

Angel eyes and devil eyes are only allowed for white light. Color versions offered online are prohibited .
As regards the modification of a safety important component, the product must have an E-certification, otherwise the vehicle must be inspected.

LED headlights: all the facts in a review

What is the use?– Significantly longer service life – Same luminous flux with less power consumption – Less blinding effect

Are there any disadvantages?– High purchase price – Partially incompatible with older current power systems – Bead effect

How is the legal situation?– Headlights are safety related equipment and are subject to strict legal regulations. – The colors of the light are adjustable in the same way as the brightness – If a headlight is replaced, the vehicle must be checked again if spare parts are not approved by E-certification – Driving a car without the required permit entails high fines and immobilization.

How difficult is the conversion?– If you buy a conversion kit, you will need to replace the entire body, including the bulbs. Correct fit and absolute tightness must be observed. – When retrofitting with LED headlights, the original housing remains in the vehicle. – If LED headlights are provided for a given vehicle model, the power supply is usually compatible. – Older vehicles often require an adapter or transformer. – Always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions. – If you feel insecure, you can entrust the refurbishment to the garage.

Keyword: headlight tuning– Many tuning headlights are also available in LED version – Devil Eyes and Angel Eyes are allowed in the UK provided they comply with the rules. – Colored LED strips and fog lights are prohibited. – Electronic certification is required for products.