Your Top Questions About Headlights and Aftermarket Vehicle Lighting Answered
Your car needs a lot of parts to keep rolling on the road – engine, transmission, wheels, brakes – and headlights!
At Auto Image, we believe one of the best ways you can upgrade the safety of your car, truck, or SUV is with advanced vehicle lighting. But you’ve heard of LED, HID, and halogen – so which one is right for you?
We have the answers to your top vehicle lighting questions, and fast advice on how to choose the best option for your drive style.
What Is HID Vehicle Lighting?
HID (high-intensity discharge) headlights use a combination of gas and metals to create a bright blue-white light beam. They are considered premium vehicle lighting and are well-suited for automobiles that require one headlight for both low- and high-beams.
These advanced headlights are becoming popular among aftermarket auto accessory professionals and manufacturers alike. That’s because they offer incredible safety benefits for nighttime drivers and look great on your vehicle.
So, What Are the Benefits of HID Headlights?
HID headlights are the most advanced vehicle lighting options on the market and are perfect for people who struggle with night vision or spend a lot of time on the road when it’s dark outside.
HID headlights allow you to see further down the road, take tight turns with more confidence, and increase visual clarity while you’re driving. Simply put, HID vehicle lighting is the best option for nighttime driving.
How Long Do HID Headlights Last?
HID vehicle lighting can last up to an astonishing 2,000 hours on average, and the highest-quality HID headlights can last for up to 8,000 hours. This could equal up to 10 years of usage from one set of HID headlights.
Halogen vehicle lighting can only give about 1,600 hours of light if you don’t use your high-beams often, and normally burn out within 6 to 8 months after installing them.
Can I Switch My Halogen Vehicle Lighting to HID?
Unfortunately, you can’t just swap your halogen headlights for HID headlights because of how some older vehicles are designed to position the direction of light from halogen bulbs.
Your older vehicle’s headlight enclosures are made to fit meticulously around the light beams that halogen lighting produces, which means you can’t simply swap your halogen vehicle lighting for HID lighting.
If you try to switch them out on your own, your headlight beams will probably be too high. This could not only blind other drivers, it makes it difficult to see the road ahead.
The best way to upgrade your older vehicle with HID headlights is by scheduling an appointment with the professionals at Auto Image. Our automotive performance shop in New Jersey is the only place where your vehicle is truly in the hands of experts.
What About LED Vehicle Lighting – Are HID Headlights Better?
Our experts at Auto Image agree that as long as you skip halogen bulbs for headlights, the vehicle lighting option you choose is a matter of driving preference.
That’s because LED headlights offer their own set of benefits:
- Increased lifespan compared to halogen and HID headlights
- Smaller and less bulky than other headlights, which make them ideal for powersport vehicles
- Best illumination for the sides of the roads
- Available in different colors
The most notable benefit of LED headlights is their increased longevity. You can get more than 20,000 hours of light, which means they need to replace far less than halogen and HID vehicle lighting.
LED lights are also the preferred marine lighting option for your boat and other personal watercraft, because they are small and easy to enclose in a waterproof case.
Is It Easier to Upgrade to LED Vehicle Lighting?
While it is easier to upgrade to LED headlights, you still need to consider the right size and placement for your vehicle. If you perform a DIY vehicle lighting installation, you will most likely need a conversion kit to ensure the new bulbs fit correctly.
Keep in mind that you need your vehicle’s headlights to remain in proper working order, or you won’t be able to use it at night or any other time visibility is low.
If you make a mistake trying to upgrade your vehicle lighting on your own, it might mean your car is parked until your headlights are fixed.
We have all the tools and skills to perform expert LED vehicle lighting upgrades at Auto Image. Our experts can save you from making an expensive mistake when attempting to perform your own upgrades and keep your car safely on the road 24/7.
What Else Can I Do With Aftermarket LED Lighting?
The beauty of LED vehicle lighting is that you can customize almost any part of your car, truck, or SUV. Talk to the experts at Auto Image about adding rock lights to your Jeep, color-changing interior lights to your classic vehicle, or a light bar to your pickup truck. When you come to our professionals, your lighting options are endless.
Light Up the Road With Aftermarket Vehicle Lighting From Auto Image
The products we offer at Auto Image have improved the driving experience for thousands of customers in New Jersey. When you hit the road with aftermarket vehicle lighting installed by our experts, you can feel safer and more confident with every turn you take.
To learn more about your vehicle lighting options from our automotive performance shop, call our location in East Brunswick at (732) 254-2727, our shop in Brick at (732) 920-0606, or send us a message online.
We also have the best truck accessories in New Jersey! Ask our experts how you can customize your truck with a lift kit, vehicle lighting, nerf bars, and more!
