High-Performance Headlights You Need for Your Upgrade
Most traffic accidents occur between 4-8 p.m., otherwise known as rush hours. The second-most dangerous timeframe? That’s between 8 p.m. to midnight, according to the National Safety Council.
What if you could see more clearly on the road at night?
Headlight upgrades are typically done for two reasons—aesthetic or practical. Choosing a good high intensity discharge light, or HID, gives you a clearer picture of what’s in front of you, and you won’t have to worry about potentially blinding other drivers on the road. That’s because HID lights come in blue or colder white, considered more effective than the dull, yellow light halogen bulbs emit.
The bottom line? If you drive at night, then HID kits are a must.
Take the time for some maintenance
Basic maintenance on your lights should be considered before you shop for upgrades. This includes:
- Replace worn headlights. Headlights grow dimmer over time. You’ll need to replace the capsules if you want a brighter beam. If you’ve got HID bulbs, they lose about 70 percent of their intensity by the time they burn out, so you might need to replace them sooner.
- Clean headlight lenses. You can clean your HID headlights if they get hazy or foggy. If you’re planning to recondition a headlight lens, though, you’ll need to look for LED kits. If you’re not sure or don't have the right tools to carry out the task, bring your car over to the service shop.
Ready for an upgrade? Here’s what you need to know
What’s the shelf-life of upgraded lights? And how bright is too bright? Consider these factors first:
- Upgrade to a brighter version: Check out direct-replacement bulbs. Pick ones that are brighter than the original capsules. You can get 80 percent more brightness this way. However, brighter bulbs tend to have a shorter service life.
- Upgrade to HID headlights: Check out HID headlights for brighter options than factory halogen headlights. If you have halogen bulbs, though, you may need to retrofit your ride for the new HID headlights.
- Switch to LED headlights: Another idea is to upgrade to car LED light kits. LED headlights last longer than halogen bulbs. If they’re direct replacements, they can fit into the existing housing without any need for retrofit changes. However, you might end up with a poor beam pattern, so you’ll want to do your homework and find out which LED car lights are the perfect match for your make and model.
High-Performance Headlights
Aside from techniques on how to get and keep your headlights brighter, you’ll want to choose high-performance options, too. Here are headlight models that should be on your list.
- HIDNation’s D1S HID bulbs are an excellent replacement for factory D1S applications. It emits a white beam and is a plug-and-play OEM-style bulb.
- HIDNation’s H7 HID replacement bulbs are perfect for any H7 HID kit. If you’ve got factory halogens, though, you need the HID conversion kit along with the bulbs.
- HIDNation’s H4 replacement bulbs work with either 35w or 55w ballast systems. If you’re looking for aftermarket HID kits, try this one.
- HIDNation’s D1R HID bulbs. If you’ve got burnt headlights, you can choose these OEM-style replacement bulbs. They come in pairs, so you can replace both headlights simultaneously, ensuring a symmetric beam. These low-energy consumption bulbs come with a factory color of pure white, but you can switch to other options.
- HIDNation’s D4S HID bulbs. If you’re looking for an above-average pick for its price, these bulbs are a good match, especially if you’re looking for a factory replacement for HID Xenon OEM bulbs. The plug-and-play feature means you won’t need to spend money on any modifications.
- HIDNation’s 9005 Xenon HID replacement bulbs. The product is compatible with existing HID bulbs. They also work with either 35w or 55w ballast systems. Make sure you check the part number for your car to make sure you’re getting the correct bulbs.
More Tips and Suggestions
- Upgrading to the best HID or LED bulbs won’t do you any good, though, if your windshield is blurry. Either replace your wiper blades to improve road visibility or replace the glass.
- Choose the right shop. How long has the company been in business, and what’s their reputation for producing quality LED or HID accessories?
- Invest in accessories. Whether HID or LED accessories, you can improve visibility on the road. With the right accessories, you can also improve the lifespan of your headlights, even use less energy, and make it easier for other drivers to see you on those nighttime drives.
- Consider extra lighting. Aside from headlights, you can invest in more lighting options like LED light bars or off-road lighting The LEDs are designed with rubber isolators. That reduces the vibrations, improving their service life. Do you do a lot of hunting, camping, or off-roading? Choose a light bar that will be handy for when your off-roading adventures extend into the dark hours.
Some auto accidents are unavoidable – especially when something crosses your path at the last second. But one of the things you do have control over is how well you’re able to see while driving at night. Upgrading your headlights should not only give you peace of mind, but it can also make the roads a bit safer at night.
