Car LED lighting: a guide to selecting and installing LED lamps

LED lamps for cars - a real breakthrough in automotive lighting. They are brighter, more durable and more economical than familiar to all Ukrainian motorists halogen. But how to choose and install LED-lamps, so that they served long and effectively? Let's understand.

Features of LED lamps and their advantages over halogen lamps

Light-emitting diode (LED) car lamps are a light source based on modern light-emitting diode technology. Unlike halogen lamps, which operate by heating a tungsten filament, LED lamps emit light when an electric current passes through a semiconductor.

They can not only replace halogen optics, their installation significantly improves the quality of roadway illumination. Cars with LED optics are safer, as the driver gets better visibility at night or in difficult weather conditions.

This technology provides the lamps with a number of advantages:

LEDs are more energy efficient because they consume significantly less electricity, which in turn reduces the load on the vehicle's battery and electrical system.
LED bulbs are several times longer and work properly and without fail compared to their halogen counterparts, which means you can forget about their frequent replacement.
They provide a brighter and clearer light output, which promotes better visibility on the road at night.
Unlike halogen bulbs, LEDs react very quickly, so the bulbs light up instantly.
Also LEDs are characterized by a uniform distribution of light, thanks to this reduces the load on the driver's eyes, in addition, these lamps do not blind oncoming drivers.
LED car lights effectively break through the veil of fog and precipitation. As a result, the driver can clearly see everything that is happening on the road in front of him even in bad weather.
They are more durable because they are resistant to voltage fluctuations in the vehicle's electrical system, and the absence of a filament increases the design's resistance to vibration.

Is it possible to put LED lamps on cars in Ukraine?

Ukrainian legislation clearly regulates what lighting should be on passenger cars. The main document that defines these requirements is the Road Traffic Regulations (RTR). According to the traffic rules, the headlights of a car should shine brightly, but at the same time not blind other drivers.

LED-lamps for cars come in different types: for low and high beam, with different brightness and color temperature. But not all of them are the same and suitable for use on the roads of Ukraine. It is important to choose them taking into account such criteria:

Compliant with traffic regulations: Do not cause dazzle, have the correct light beam.
Certified: They have the necessary certificates confirming their quality and safety.
Suitable for your vehicle: Have the correct base and wattage.

Improperly installed or non-compliant bulbs can cause accidents, blinding other drivers and resulting fines.

Selecting LED car lamps

When buying LED car lamps, it is important to consider their basic performance.

Plinth

It is important to select the correct bulb with the correct socket. The socket is the part of the bulb that fits into the headlight. If the lamp has the wrong socket, it cannot be installed or will not work properly. The most common types of bases are H4, H7, HB3 and HB4. Nevertheless, before buying, be sure to specify the exact socket of your headlights to avoid problems in the future.

Power and luminous flux

The power of LED lamps is measured in watts and here everything is very simple. This parameter shows the level of energy consumption.More important parameter is the luminous flux, which is measured in lumens. The greater the value, the brighter the lamp shines. However, it is important to take into account that it is important to maintain a balance between power and luminous flux. For low beam, lamps with a power of 20-30 W and a luminous flux of about 4000-6000 lm are recommended. They allow optimal visibility without blinding oncoming drivers.

Color temperature

The color temperature of LED lamps is measured in Kelvin. This parameter affects what shade of light beam they emit.

up to 3000K emit a warm yellow light.;
4000K - neutral light;
5000K–6500K — white or cool white light;

For everyday use and comfortable driving, the best choice would be bulbs with temperatures between 4300K and 6000K, which provide a good balance between brightness and eye comfort.

Additional options

Modern LED car lamps often have additional features that increase their service life and make operation safer. For example, waterproofing. Lamps with an IP67 or IP68 rating can withstand dust and moisture, which is especially important when driving in harsh weather conditions.

It is also worth paying attention to the presence of a cooling system: some lamps use fans or radiators to dissipate heat. Such models are more reliable, as the more efficient the cooling system, the higher the service life, as the structure is not overcooled.

Scope of application

Initially, when LEDs first appeared on the market, their power was insufficient for full-fledged use in cars. Therefore, motorists used them mainly for tuning, adding bright accents to the design of their cars. Most often LEDs were installed in brake lights and turn signals.

However, with the development of technology, LEDs have become much more powerful and efficient. Engineers have learned to properly focus the light flux, which allowed them to create LED lamps for cars, which in terms of their characteristics are not inferior to, and often surpass the traditional halogen and xenon models.

Today, such lamps are used in almost all areas of automotive lighting: head lights, parking lights, fog lights, brake signals, etc.

Installation of LED car lamps

To replace LED bulbs usually do not require special equipment and every motorist without much difficulty can do it themselves.

Installation involves several steps:

Disconnect the vehicle battery to prevent a short circuit.
You may need to remove some parts, such as the grille, to gain access to the headlights.
Remove the old bulb by turning it counterclockwise.
Install the new LED bulb, making sure that its base exactly matches the existing socket.
Reconnect all necessary wiring and put the guards back in place.
Check the operation of the new bulb before hitting the road.

When installing LED car lamps, it is important to ensure that they are correctly oriented inside the headlight. Incorrect installation may result in uneven illumination of the roadway or dazzle oncoming drivers.

Switching to LED car lamps is a smart decision to improve visibility and safety on the road. The right choice of lamps by base, wattage, color temperature and additional functions, as well as correct installation will ensure a long service life and comfortable driving.

If you're going to buy car LED bulbs in Kiev, Odessa or Kharkov, then our online store 130.com.ua offers a wide range, we have lamps in different price categories.

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