How to Choose Headlights for Your Automobile

Car headlights serve an important purpose for every driver. They keep you safe and help illuminate the road, making headlights a crucial part of any vehicle. Retailers today offer many types of headlight bulbs with different prices, making it difficult to choose. From different connectors to headlight types, here’s what works best for you.

Different types of headlight sockets

Because there are so many types of headlights, it can be difficult to choose a bulb. It is important to note that different trim levels of the same vehicle may offer different types of headlights, e.g. B. adaptive lighting. Therefore, you should always check what your vehicle has versus what other models might have. There are mainly three different types of headlights: halogen, xenon and LED.

Today’s cars are equipped with different types of connectors for each vehicle. Although many manufacturers are owned by each other, each manufacturer is slightly different from each other. A vehicle can be fitted with 21 different types of headlight sockets. You can’t choose the connector style you want, at least not without some modifications. This is because each connector type usually gives a different output, which would ruin your lightbulbs prematurely.

Identifying your style can be a seamless process by looking at your headlights. Halogen and xenon headlights have very different constructions, which makes them very distinguishable. You can also consult your owner’s manual, which is usually in your glove box.

Lumens/color temperature differences

After figuring out what headlamp you have and what type of headlamp connector your specific vehicle requires, you need to determine how bright your headlamps are. This is where color temperature ranges come into play. Headlight bulbs can range from 3000K to 12000K, which identifies the color temperature.

This categorization was implemented with the intention of creating standards for the classification of headlamps. Considering the standard, 3000K falls under “warm white” while higher temperature ranges like 6000K incandescent bulbs fall under “daylight white”.

The legality of bright headlights

Although many manufacturers have headlights that appear too bright, there are legal measures that must be followed before putting a headlight bulb on the market. This ensures that oncoming traffic is not dazzled by your headlights, measured in candle strength.

As previously mentioned, fixtures are categorized by color temperature in this way. Most states require headlights to be around 3000 lumens, although every jurisdiction and state will allow as much candle output. This is to ensure that oncoming traffic can drive without being blinded.

Choosing the right headlight type

As there is a wide range of headlight bulbs to choose from, it is always important to check what type of plug you have. Every vehicle is different, as are the laws of your local jurisdiction. It is best to have well-functioning headlights as these components are vital to safe driving at night.

Remember that it is just as important for oncoming traffic to see the road clearly as you do. Too bright light can dazzle oncoming traffic.