It is possible to upgrade your headlights from halogen or HID to LED, but you might want to consider whether it's worth it. Upgrading to LED headlights can be an expensive endeavour. You can't simply swap out a halogen bulb for LEDs; you have to replace the entire headlight assembly.
Many drivers now choose LED upgrade bulbs as their preferred bulb of choice over halogens and HID conversion kits. Aftermarket LED bulbs are often a perfect upgrade choice for those looking for a clean, bright, white light. LED bulbs last much longer than filament bulbs and are now a plug-and-play option.
Legality of LED Bulbs
If the LED headlights you are looking at do not advertise that they are certified or approved by the DOT then chances are they are not truly legal to use on the road. As of 2/2022, LED headlight bulbs are not legal modifications for cars registered for on-road/street usage.
All vehicles fitted with halogen headlight bulbs from the factory are suitable for LED conversion. The main advantage is a massive increase in road illumination and therefore improved safety when driving at night.
LED conversion kits for halogen headlights run just $100–$300 for a set. If you don't know how to install and adjust them yourself, it's a safer bet to have a professional do the work.
Upgrade Your Bulbs
A highly effective way to improve headlight brightness and light output enhancement is to upgrade the bulbs. There are three primary bulb types: halogen, HID (High-Intensity Discharge), and LED (Light Emitting Diode).
LED bulbs will last for anywhere between 50,000 and 100,000 hours before they have to be changed. While an LED bulb will be more expensive, their durability means it can be years before you even need to consider getting them replaced. This makes LED lamps a cheaper choice in the long run vs halogen.
Xenon headlights are probably the brightest bulbs you can get for your car that are actually street legal and can, in fact, often be confused for high-beam lights. However, here is a set of super bright and low-power lights that can be used for parking lights, reverse lights, turn signal lights, or tail lights.
The Cons of LED Headlights
The glare associated with LED headlights is one of the biggest disadvantages of this technology. The glare can get so bad that it could affect other people on the road. Experts also worry that it can cause long-term retina damage. Also, LED headlights are more expensive than halogen lights.
According to the LTO guidelines, using LED headlight bulbs should comply with the following characteristics: 1. Color Temperature: The LED headlight bulb should have a color temperature of between 4,000 and 6,000 Kelvin (K). This color range provides good visibility without being too harsh or glaring.
If your current vehicle does not have the required technology needed to change the LED or HID headlights, you'll need to use a conversion kit to ensure proper installation and compatibility.
Yes, and it's a great idea since old-school headlights are just awful compared to their modern cousins. LED and halogen options are easy-to-install upgrades that often plug right in. These Bright Driver headlights are from Detroit Speed, but it looks like they no longer offer them.
Depending on the lighting system of the vehicle, headlights are limited to about 20,000 to 75,000 candela, according to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108. Candela is a modern unit of light measurement, and one candlepower equates to about one candela.
HID Headlights
HID, or high-intensity discharge, headlights work a lot like the fluorescent bulbs you'd find in an office. Often referred to as xenon headlights, HIDs are brighter, whither, and more efficient than halogens.
Technology: LED lights use electricity while HID uses gas (typically xenon). Energy use: Both have high energy use compared to halogen, but LEDs are slightly more energy-efficient. Life span: LED lights might last up to 45,000 hours while HIDs have a life span of around 15,000 hours.
It is physically possible, but prohibitively expensive. Not only do you have to change the source of light – the bulb – but also the power supply. But the big problem would be changing the "container" in which the bulb is held.
LED Headlights Advantages
LED bulbs emit light 15 times longer than halogen bulbs. LED lights are shockproof, vibration-resistant, and energy-efficient. That means they're very long-lasting. Aside from that, the bulbs are quite bright.
Federal rules primarily govern headlight brightness. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) states that headlights should have a luminous intensity of between 500 and 3,000 candelas. So drivers looking to install aftermarket headlights should be at most 3,000 lumens.
White light is preferred for many reasons. A whiter light mimics the appearance of sunlight and improves visibility. Additionally, the filters used to create selective yellow light dim the brightness of headlights. White light is unfiltered, making it brighter.
OK so let's recap, higher wattage bulbs are not road legal. They will also last a lot less time than a 55W bulb. Therefore you should not be using them for normal driving. However for off road situations, they can be very useful.
In order to save on your energy costs, you can replace a halogen bulb directly with an LED bulb. In addition, LED lights last on average around 25 times longer than a halogen bulb. There are various LED lamps that are suitable for replacing halogen lighting.
Advantages of LED headlights over Halogen
Not only do LED headlights shine brighter and instantly refresh your ride's look—they boast other benefits, too. LED light bulbs are more energy-efficient than Halogen bulbs, which means longer-lasting performance with an added environmentally-friendly incentive.
For one, LED lamps consume around 75% less electricity than regular halogen lamps. A switch from halogen to LED will therefore lower the energy costs for households, and make electricity bills a lot more manageable.