Upgrading Your Car Headlights To LEDs
Upgrading Your Car Headlights To LEDs
The aftermarket in car headlights has never been more buoyant, with more motorists looking to upgrade than ever before, coupled with a bigger range of products available. LED headlights are widely seen as the optimum solution, and while these were previously beyond the budget of the average motorist looking to upgrade, they are now more affordable than ever. This means there are even fewer barriers to upgrading to an LED based solution, providing a better quality of lighting and improved conditions for driving in the dark.
The process of upgrading is now easier than it has ever been, thanks to kits specifically designed to be installed by non-mechanics. People are now choosing to upgrade their headlights on their own, without visiting a garage, and it is possible to do so safely and effectively in as little as 30 minutes per light.
But when it comes to switching out your headlights for LEDs or a comparable headlights kit, what are the main driving factors influencing motorists to go to these lengths? Furthermore, why should you consider updating your headlights to more effective models, and is it a worthwhile modification to make?
Why Upgrade?
Halogen headlights perform their job to a base level. It is hard to imagine driving with lighting any weaker than that provided by standard halogen headlights, yet at the same time these components remain prone to failure and much more likely to cause problems in the future than other types of headlight construction. When it comes to upgrading, the process is simple enough that anyone can do it. In fact, people worldwide are already familiar with switching in new headlight kits, and you too can upgrade your lighting in just 30 minutes per side.
The reasons to upgrade are many, but broadly it is to deliver better lighting at a lower cost – both financially, and in terms of energy wastage. With safety a paramount concern for any motorist, taking advantage of brighter road conditions is a no-brainer. But when you factor in the cost savings, both on parts and labour, and on the ongoing fuel consumption savings from using more efficient technology, it becomes senseless not to consider switching to something more advanced.
There are three common types of car headlights available: halogens, HIDs and LEDs. So which should you choose when contemplating your upgrade?
Should You Upgrade To Halogens, HIDs or LEDs?
Halogens, HID headlights and LED headlights all have their own distinct advantages, and indeed drawbacks. Before you make a decision one way or the other, it is sensible to ensure you are doing so from an informed position to avoid disappointment. If you don’t know what you’re buying and why, you may end up damaging your headlights and your car in the process, and you’ll be both out of pocket and back where you started. Instead, familiarising yourself with the different headlight designs available means you can make the right decision for your motoring and your budget.
Cheapest – Halogen. Halogen headlights are of course the cheapest option available, providing the bare minimum in lighting quality. Most people just replace like for like in their cars, but only because they are unaware these are often a less than optimal option. While halogens are cheap to buy, they need to be replaced long-term on a more regular basis than LEDs, and so can cost more in the long-run. Additionally, the lighting quality they offer is significantly diminished relative to other types of headlights, and it is worth bearing this in mind when making your decision.
HID Xenon. Middle of the range, HID xenon bulbs are much brighter and more efficient than halogen headlights. Yet they lack the durability of LEDs, and it can quickly mount up as an expensive process replacing bulbs and re-installing new kits as you drive. While HID lights offer improved visibility as you drive, they pale in comparison to LEDs, which are a clear front-runner for anyone considering an upgrade.
Best – LEDs. LEDs convert electricity into light in the most efficient way possible, with 80% of energy consumption diverted directly into the light generating process (as opposed to just 20% with halogen headlights). This means you get a much brighter, stronger light, from more durable hardware. Those who install LED headlights benefit from much improved performance, as well as longevity, with LED lights being among the longest-lasting car components available on the market.
Installation Process
Once you’ve settled on LEDs (or a lower cost, lower quality alternative), the next question becomes how to install these on your car. Fortunately, this is made as easy as possible by LED headlights kits, and in fact can be installed by virtually anyone with no need for technical skills or any special tools. Allow around 30 minutes per light, which includes the time taken to switch out your old headlights for your new LEDs kit.
Or, if you feel daunted by the prospect of installing your own kit, you can take it to a car garage for installation on your behalf. All you would have to pay is the cost the labour for the time taken to install the part, which should come in at under an hours’ worth of work.
The Long-Term Advantages of LED Headlights
Whether you are upgrading your headlights for style or function, choosing an LED headlights kit can leave you with several lasting advantages for the long-term. The first, most obvious advantage is a better quality of lighting, which you will notice immediately from installing your LED headlights. But beyond that, you can expect to be saving money over both the short and long term, with your vehicle using much less fuel in the process. Furthermore, choosing LED headlights means you don’t have to replace your bulbs every year or so – in fact, you can expect to experience as much as 22 years of usage if you drive in the dark 50% of the time before replacement headlights would be necessary.
Top-ten Advantages of LED Headlights
LED headlight bulbs are the latest trend in automotive lighting technology. Many new cars, especially luxury vehicles, now come with LEDs right out of the dealership but over 95% of cars still come with halogen headlight bulbs.
Like you, many drivers are frustrated with the dull, yellowish light output from their stock halogen bulbs and are looking to upgrade to LEDs.
There are many reasons to make the switch to LED headlights for a better nighttime driving experience. With the significant development of this lighting technology, it is now easier and cheaper than ever to do so.
If you’re thinking about making the switch to LED headlights, here is a run-down of the top 10 reasons people are choosing to upgrade, and the advantages you can benefit from, simply by switching out your old headlights for an LED headlights kit.
To help you decide, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 advantages and benefits of switching to LED headlights and why so many people are choosing to upgrade to LED.
1. Improve Headlight Brightness
The number one reason drivers choose to upgrade to LED headlights is to improve the light output from their headlights (or fog lights) for better nighttime driving.
Halogens are dim by design and produce a yellowish light, which is ideal for falling asleep, not for driving at night! The light output distance is poor and the concentration of light is weak with very limited clarity.
LED headlight and fog light bulbs, on the other hand, produce powerful light, with a focused beam and incredible clarity.
For some perspective, halogens produce around 3200 lumens of brightness while LEDs produce anywhere from 5000 to 15000 lumens.
The Soukuer 60-watt P1 LED Headlight Kit, for example, produces an incredible 15000 lumens, representing close to a threefold increase in brightness. One benefit of our LED products is that they come with patented anti-glare technology, which means the increased brightness will not come at the expense of blinding other drivers.
If your main objective is to improve the light output for your car or truck, this first advantage alone should be enough to convince you.
2. Easy To Install
The second biggest advantage of LED headlights is how easy they are to install.
In fact, installing LED headlight or fog light bulbs is identical to installing halogens, which should take, on average, no more than 10-15 minutes per headlight, assuming a typical Plug & Play kits.
The SOUKUER LED headlight bulb kits have a Plug & Play design that has been perfected over the past decade and as such, they are incredibly easy to install.
The LED bulbs screw into your assembly just like your old halogens and have the exact same plugs to match your vehicle’s factory power harness. No extra accessories, wiring, and no splicing or specialized work required!
Switching out headlight bulbs is one of the easiest automotive jobs you can personally do. Accessing a headlight assembly in a car or truck is rather straightforward and requires very basic tools and in some cases no tools at all.
In most cases, it’s as simple as opening the hood of your vehicle and directly accessing the back of the headlight to unscrew the halogen bulb and swap it out for the LED.
Some slightly more complex cars and trucks may require you to loosen the entire headlight assembly and swap the bulbs. Less than 1% of cars may require you to remove some sort of protective cover or even the bumper prior to accessing the headlight.
If you don’t think you’re up to the task or simply don’t want to get your hands dirty, a car mechanic or an auto performance shop can get the job done for you in under an hour.
Looking for more information on installation? See our soukuer LED Headlights Installation Guide.
3. Long-Lasting
LED bulbs are famous for lasting incredibly long and consuming minimal power while being really bright, the ultimate feature combination for lights.
Although relatively new in the automotive industry, most of us have already experienced the longevity of LED technology in our homes. According to EnergyStar, household LED bulbs can last up to 20 times longer than halogen household bulbs and consume 80% less power!
Premium automotive LED bulbs, such as the soukuer P1 LED headlight bulbs, can last up to 10,000 hours or 5 years compared to halogen bulbs that only last about 5,000 hours or 0.75 years. Now that’s a major selling point!
Ignoring the improved brightness and energy efficiency, LEDs are a great way to save money on vehicle maintenance in the long run and the hassle of replacing your headlight bulbs every year. Quality halogen bulbs can cost close to $100 per pair, excluding any labor costs.
4. Save Money
A big advantage of LED headlight bulbs is that they are cost-efficient. Everyone loves to save money and that’s another reason why LEDs are quickly becoming the number one choice for drivers.
Halogen headlight bulbs cost anywhere from $35 to $100 per pair for an average cost of approximately $70. LEDs, on the other hand, typically cost $100 to $200 per pair for an average of around $150.
As explained in the previous section, quality LEDs last close to 9 times longer than halogens and although more expensive per bulb, they will save you a nice bunch over their lifespan.
Assuming conservatively that halogens will need to be replaced 7 times as often as LEDs at an average price of $50 per set, that represents close to $350 in bulbs over that timespan. Even if you get $150 LEDs, that represents savings of 57% without factoring in any labor costs.
When it comes to saving money with LEDs, it’s all about the long term. If you plan to change or sell your vehicle within one or two years, you may not experience much savings but you will definitely benefit from better lighting.
5. Safer Driving
Driving safely isn’t only about wearing your seatbelt, driving the speed limit and checking your blind spot before switching lanes.
Compromised night vision is one of the biggest hazards when driving, along with impaired driving and fatigue according to the National Safety Council.
Equipping your vehicle with bright LED lights is a great way to improve safety at the wheel and a big advantage of LED bulbs. Seeing clearly ahead of you can make all the difference in the world. LED headlights produce up to 3 times more light than halogen bulbs and project light farther and clearer as well.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported a total of 34,439 car accidents in it’s latest Traffic Safety Facts report, of which a staggering 51% to 67% occurred at night and during low light conditions.
6. Energy Efficient
When it comes to energy efficiency, nothing beats LEDs, yet another major advantage of this headlight bulb technology.
Since cars generate their power using the car battery and the alternator, why does it matter anyway since we don’t get an electricity bill for our car?
The reason it matters and why it’s a big advantage of LEDs is because not only does it put less strain on your car’s power supply, which is especially useful for older cars that risk getting stuck with a dead battery, but it’s one of the main reasons LEDs last so long. And for what it’s worth, it’s better for the environment, too.
7. More Color Options
Unlike halogens which generally only come in various shades of golden yellow , some LED headlight bulb providers offer LED bulbs in a variety of color options.
This is great for those looking for blue or gree headlight bulbs, for example. At SOUKUER, we offer a total of four (4) color options for our LED headlights.
If you’re looking for more information on colored LEDs, check out our LED Headlight Color Guide.
8. Luxurious Appearance
You’ve likely noticed newer luxury vehicles on the road, such as Audis, BMWs, Bentleys, etc., with beautiful looking powerful LEDs.
With dull and boring yellowish halogens, your car’s lights look, well, dull and boring!
Another advantage of making the switch over to LEDs is that you can get that same look and feel like these new luxury vehicles with bright and powerful LED headlights all while saving money and being more energy-efficient.
9. Save Time
A major advantage of having LED headlights is that they not only save you money but they save you precious time as well.
With halogen bulbs, drivers are constantly changing their bulbs and for those that bring their car or truck to a shop, it costs you money too. What a hassle.
With LEDs, changing headlight bulbs frequently is a thing of the past. Drive with peace of mind knowing your bulbs will last a while and shine bright for the foreseeable future.
10. More Effective Lighting
When comparing LEDs to halogens, drivers often want to know about how effective and efficient LEDs are at producing light.
LEDs are significantly more efficient, as we highlighted in section 5. Whereas halogen bulbs waste 80% of their energy by generating excessive heat and only 20% on actually creating light, LEDs are the opposite. LEDs spend 80% of the energy consumed creating light and only 20% creating heat.
This is important when considering the temperature inside your headlight. Over the long run, halogens can damage both the headlight itself or slowly melt away at the power harness feeding power to the headlight bulb. With LEDs, this issue does not exist.
This is also important when taking into account the energy load on your car’s battery and alternator, as discussed earlier in this article.
The soukuer P1 LED bulbs, for example, also come with a micro-fan that further helps keep the bulbs cool so they produce even less heat and last even longer.
These are just a few reasons more and more drivers are choosing to switch to LED headlights and why car manufacturers are increasingly building cars with LEDs. For a long-term, efficient, high-quality solution for any car, choose LED headlights in over standard halogen bulbs.
Looking to learn more about LED headlight bulbs? Get in touch with us, we’d love to answer your questions!
| Item Number | P4 | Product Name | Car Led Headlight |
| Power | 90W/Pair(45W/Bulb) | Luminous Flux | 18000LM/Pair(9000LM/Bulb) |
| Operating Voltage | DC 9-32V(fit 12V,24V vehicles) | Connector Type | Plug and Play |
| Color | 6000K White | LED Chips | CSP TX3570 LED Chips |
| Beam Angle | 360 degree | Waterproof Level | IP68 |
| Material | Aviation 6063 aluminum profile | Operating Temperature | -40-80 degree Celsius |
| Cooling | Buil-in Fan | Lifespan | ≥100,000 Hours |
| Warranty | 1 years | Usage | headlight |
| Plug Type(Hi-Lo Beam) | H4/9003/HB2 | ||
| Plug Type(Single Beam) | H1;H7; H11/H8/H9; 9005/HB3; 9006/HB4; | ||
Car LED Headlight Features:
1.HIGH BRIGHTNESS: Lastest CSP TX3570 led chips with 6000K cool white light ;300% brighter than your stock Halogen headlights. P4 technology to ensure a perfect beam pattern without any dark spots or foggy light.
2.POWERFUL HEAT DISSIPATION: Aluminum heat sink and 12,000 RPM Turbo Cooling fan with high efficiency colling to ensures your LED Headlight bulbs Over 100,000 hrs of brilliant continuous light. Control driver has intelligent control chip,can monitor fan speed for optimal heat protection and performance and provide wide voltage,constant current IC.
3.EASY INSTALLATION:Can be installed in 10 mins. No relay. No capacitors. No extra wiring. Plug and play.
4.IP68 WATERPROOF: Water-proof and heat-protected with integrated cooling chip and fan for heat dissipation. Rainproof driver, housing, and fan works even in extreme situations. Automatic short-circuit protection.
Usage: headlight,fog light,
Upgrade for Car,Truck,SUV,RV HID Xenon Headlight,ALL IN ONE Style, no extra driver needed .
Package Included:
2x LED headlight bulbs
1x English installation manual
FAQ:
Q1: How can I find the model of my car?
A1-1.Please check the plug type and plug size can fit for your car before your purchase
A1-2.If you are not sure about which bulb you need, please contact us with your vehicle’s Make/model/year. it’s happy for us to check for you.
Q2: From 3000K to 6000K color temp. of headlight, it’s same distance for lighting amoung them?
A2: It’s same distance for lighting in normal environment. About 300 meters on high beam, several decameter on low beam. If rainy or foggy weather, more lower color tempt. would be better for light penetration.
Q3: How about the CANBUS and flash?
A3: Most of the cars are ok to install headlight and no flash. If some brand cars appear error and flash when installed, do not hesitate to contact us if need.
Q4: How can I do if the driver or bulbs are broken due to quality problem? How about the warranty?
A4: We provide 12 months warranty period from the date of the purchase. If appear any quality problem, just show the pictures or videos for providing it’s broken, then we will analyze the reason and you’ll get the new free replacement or better solution.