LED car lighting | OSRAM Automotive (2024)

FAQs

How are LED lights legal on cars? ›

According to FMVSS, the only way a vehicle with LED headlights is legal is if it came from the manufacturer that way. There are regulations about the reach, aim, and width of the headlight patterns.

According to the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989, LED lights must not cause dazzle or discomfort to other road users, and red lights can only be used at the rear of the car, and white lights at the front.

The problem with LED headlights is that they are incompatible with dark adapted human eyesight – particularly for older drivers – they are too bright, too blue, too 'concentrated' and blinding over too long a distance.

All vehicles fitted with halogen headlight bulbs from the factory are suitable for LED conversion. The main advantage is a massive increase in road illumination and therefore improved safety when driving at night. The kit I used features CREE LED bulbs that have an output of 3,200 lumens.

Are aftermarket LED headlights legal in California? Aftermarket headlights – those that you purchase separately for your vehicle – are legal in California.

According to the LTO guidelines, using LED headlight bulbs should comply with the following characteristics: 1. Color Temperature: The LED headlight bulb should have a color temperature of between 4,000 and 6,000 Kelvin (K). This color range provides good visibility without being too harsh or glaring.

The reason that LED upgrade bulbs can't be E marked is simply because no legislation exists for the use of LED technology in a headlight unit built for halogens. Headlight units are manufactured around a specific technology. Let's say that the bulbs for your dipped beam are H7.

Swapping out a halogen bulb with a similar LED bulb isn't straightforward. You can't exchange one for the other—you'll need a conversion kit. While LED bulbs last much longer than halogens, you will pay more for them. Additionally, the equipment needed for the conversion can get expensive.

FAQs. Q1: Is It Legal To Replace Halogen With LED Bulbs To Your Car? A: In most cases, it is legal to replace halogen bulbs with LED bulbs in your car. However, it is important to make sure that the LED bulbs meet the required specifications for your vehicle and are approved for use on public roads.

Some LED fixtures may create sharp shadows that may not be desirable in certain places in the home. Other disadvantages of LEDs are that not all LED bulbs are dimmable; those that are may require special dimmer switches.

Why are LED headlights not allowed? ›

Headlights that register 3,000K or 3,000LM are the brightest headlights you can legally install in your car. Anything beyond that level is typically against the law and you run the risk of blinding another driver and causing an accident.

Blue Light Hazard in LED Lights. LED bulbs do not emit any ultraviolet light, but in recent years, "blue light" has been one of the most commonly discussed dangers and risks that surround LED lights and display screens that use LED backlights (smartphones, tablets, TVs, etc).

The brightest headlight you are legally allowed to have varies depending on the state you're in. Most states limit output to 2,000 lumens, while California limits brightness to 1,600 lumens. These measurements are taken at 100 meters, so bulb ratings are higher than these limits.

The light output from each of the lamps shall not exceed 2513 lumens.

Most cars, bought today, will have the option of LED headlights. When fitted by the manufacturer, they're perfectly legal, and—while they may appear brighter than halogen bulbs—are within legal limits for dazzle.

Underglow lighting is legal in Arkansas, California, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, and Ohio. Each of these states has some restrictions. For example, California does not allow lights to be installed within 12 inches of factory-installed lights.

Xenon HID bulbs with a high colour temperature - such as 8000K or above - are sometimes not road legal. Halogen bulbs with a colour temperature of 4300K or over also tend to be non-road legal.

LED lights started popping up in new cars around 15 years ago. They grew in popularity because they tend to offer better road illumination and are longer lasting than other types of headlights, according to SAE International, formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers.