Safety is the top priority of drivers. One great way to ensure this is to have a good vehicle lighting system.
LED headlights are known to perform excellently in providing an improved quality of light, ease of installation, and simple maintenance. If you’re wondering how to install LED headlights, here’s a quick and easy guide for you!
What are LED Headlights?
Light-emitting Diode Headlights, or LED Headlights, are car equipment that helps drivers see better at night.
These types of headlights have 9,000-10,000 Lumens, making them brighter than traditional halogen lights. LED headlights, unlike HID, utilize electricity and render high energy use.
LED Headlights come in a variety of color ranges. Their distance usually goes up to 985 feet or 300 meters which is a great range considering halogen lights go up to 150 feet only.
They have a relatively long life span too. LED headlights can last up to 45,000 hours compared to HIDs lifespan of 15,000 hours.
Types of LED Headlight Bulbs
Single Beam LED Headlight Bulbs
Single-beam LED headlight bulbs have one function: produce either low beam or high beam in a bulb.
If you choose to install this type of headlight, you need two single-beam bulbs for each headlight housing. The first one is for high-beam light and the second one is for low-beam light.
Dual Beam LED Headlight Bulbs
Dual-beam headlights can create both low and high beams in one bulb. This type of headlight bulb has dual filaments that can produce two light patterns.
One is a high beam and the other is a low beam light. Because of their “dual function”, you do not need to install another headlight in the housing. One dual-beam LED headlight bulb would be enough to create both light patterns.
As you see, these two types of LED headlight bulbs depend on high-beam and low-beam lights.
Use high-beam headlights during the following situations:
- When you’re in an unfamiliar road on a dark city street or alley
- Driving on interstate highways
- Low-visibility conditions
Never use your high-beam lights when driving in harsh weather conditions like fog, rain, or snow. Doing this can make your vision even worse!
Use low-beam headlights during the following situations:
- Driving in rain, fog, or snow
- When the distance between the vehicle ahead of you is 200 to 300 feet
- Approaching another vehicle from behind
How to Install LED Headlights
Easily install your LED headlights by following the steps in our list:
1. Select from either dual-beam or single-beam headlight.
A headlight assembly comprises either two single-beam headlight bulbs or one dual-beam headlight bulb. You can select any of these two styles depending on your vehicle.
2. Know the size of your vehicle’s headlight bulb.
It’s always best to know what size your vehicle requires before installing LED headlights. Bulb sizes vary according to the model of your vehicle.
The sizes of headlight bulbs come in H1, H3, H4, HB4, HB7, and HB11. While they may give off the same output, note that their sockets differ.
3. Remove the old headlight bulbs.
Open the hood and disconnect the bulb from the power socket. Pull out the rubberized housing and unhook the bulb’s spring.
Remove the bulb carefully and secure it. In some cases, using a twisting motion to remove the bulb will help. Do this lightly to prevent any damage.
4. Install the LED headlights in place.
After removing the old headlight bulbs, you are now ready to put the LED headlight bulbs in place. Headlight kits usually come with circular adapters that secure the bulbs. First, you have to find the sockets.
Then, you can now install the adapter to the socket, hook the spring, and insert it. We recommend that you gently do this process while twisting the bulb in a clockwise direction.
Do this step for all the other LED headlights in your car.
5. Connect and secure the ballast.
Once you’ve installed the headlights in place, connect the LED ballast and wiring. One end should be connected to the new bulb and the other should connect to your vehicle’s wiring harness.
Installing LED headlights isn’t as tough as you think, but people consider this step the trickiest one. Make sure that the ballasts are away from moisture, heat, and vibration. A great tip is to use plastic zip ties or tapes to ensure that the ballasts are secured.
6. Check the LED headlights.
And finally, turn the headlights on. Check if everything is in place and you’re good to go! However, what if your LED headlights need some adjustment?
How to Adjust LED Headlights
The need for adjusting LED headlights happens. It’s a common concern that most vehicle owners are worried about. You might be looking up “how to adjust LED headlights”, so here’s an easy guide on how you can successfully do this task!
1. Clean your headlight lenses.
2. Park your car near a wall or flat surface and ensure its level.
Find a spacious area. Drive near a wall or flat surface and park your vehicle nearby. Ensure that the ground is leveled and flat. You also have to check if all your tires are inflated to their designated air pressure capacity.
Another thing to keep in mind is to have the gas tank at least half full. Let someone sit on the driver’s seat to assist you.
3. Turn the low-beam LED headlights on.
Turn the low-beam LED headlights on and mark the top of the beam projected on the wall using painter’s tape. You can also use duct tape for this instance. Next, draw a line on the brightest area of the beam.
For cars with horizontal headlight adjustments, measure the distance between the headlight centers with the help of two vertical tapes. These will serve as your reference in lining up the beams later on.
Repeat all these for all the other LED headlights in your vehicle.
4. Reverse your car.
Move your car 25 feet away from the wall or flat surface. You can also check your manual as the distance may vary depending on the type of headlights.
6. Align the headlights accordingly.
Use the horizontal lines you’ve marked and the tape guides as your basis in adjusting your headlights. Change the direction of the light and align it with the corresponding markings.
Advantages of Having LED Headlights
LED headlights offer great advantages to car owners. Listed below are some of the pros of LED headlights:
LED Headlights provide great light quality
- LED headlights are known to offer improved headlight brightness. With each having 9,000-10,000 Lumens, you will be able to drive safely while navigating at night!
LED Headlights have a long lifespan
- These types of lights have a long 45,000-hour lifespan compared to halogen light’s 1,000-hour lifespan. Not only is it cost-efficient, but you also get to help the environment by dumping less waste in the landfill.
- Another good thing is that you don’t need to replace LED headlights frequently!
Maintaining LED headlights is easy
- These types of headlights are not high maintenance, unlike halogen lights which need replacement over time. In fact, LED headlights can last a minimum of 22 years with a solid 50% usage rate!
Installing LED headlights is simple
- As you’ve read earlier, installing LED headlights is a quick and easy task. You do not need to call a professional’s help to do it.
- An hour or less is enough to complete the installation process.
LED Headlights use only a small amount of electricity
- What’s great about LED headlights is their energy efficiency. They draw only a small amount of electricity from your vehicle.
- This cuts your costs and increases your fuel efficiency.
Switching to LED headlights? Here are 4 things to know:
Before you transition to LED headlights, here are 4 tips that can help you out:
1. LED Headlights do not have reflector support.
LED headlights do not have reflectors to amplify and bounce off light. While LEDs can be used in reflector headlights, you need to upgrade both the bulb and the reflector bowl when you choose to enhance your headlight assembly.
If you don’t, this will result in dazzles that may blind other drivers. It is important that all parts in your assembly complement each other.
2. LED headlights need additional equipment.
A relay or heat sink may be required under your vehicle’s hood. It’s best to consult a mechanic if you’re unsure about the equipment needed for complete installation
3. This type of headlight benefits electric vehicles.
Because they are known to consume less energy, LED headlights are great for electric vehicles. You can save and extend your car battery for months when you switch to LED headlights.
4. Do your own research.
You might get overwhelmed with the array of available LED headlights in the market. Hence, doing your own research will be of great importance to know which type of headlight is best for you.
The factors you have to consider include effectiveness, ease of installation, and maintenance.
Final Thoughts
We hope this has helped you answer your question on how to install your LED headlights. While it’s an easy task, it is important to know your vehicle’s features first so you have all the correct equipment ready.
Reading the user manual lets you do this task more efficiently too!