DIY headlight upgrades can be a little bit overwhelming especially when you are new to the subject. However, upgrading your car headlights from the old stock bulbs it came in to LED or HID (high-intensity discharge) effectively, can be the best way to clean yellow headlights for a much colder white or blue beam emission and making the decision to do it right away can also give you brighter beams that effectively enhance your night vision without blinding other drivers on the road.
Other headlight upgrades, like increasing the brightness of car headlight bulbs, or simply reconditioning the assemblies of headlights are totally practical. While these upgrades won’t change the look of your car at night, they are quite the reasons why headlights of modern cars are so bright. However, whether you choose to replace or restore your car headlights, it’s important to understand that good and bright car headlights help reduce the risk of night time accidents caused by poor visibility. So, they are worth considering.
Furthermore, when it comes to headlight upgrades, one important question you should ask is; “Do you want headlights that look cool or headlights that make it safer to drive at night?” I believe the latter puts other road users into consideration because the reality is that your headlight upgrades shouldn’t only be about you and how you feel. It should also keep others safe and help improve nighttime driving by not blinding them while you drive.
Though some headlight upgrades require much more professional experience, others are simple enough to be done by yourself depending on the type of stock headlights it came with from the factory. Still, knowing when headlights need to be replaced is vital. To get you started, here are the best four DIY steps to upgrade your headlights.
How to convert your headlight bulbs to LED
STEP 1: identify your type of headlight bulb
The first step to converting your stock lamps to LED is to identify the exact type of stock headlamp that came with your car. The easiest way to identify it is to look through your car manual. After you have identified your type of headlight the next step would be to search for its exact replacement in terms of LED.
The easiest way to do this is to search for it in your favorite local auto part store or online. Here are the two possible results you should look out for when searching online. The two possible results are as follows:
- Single beam bulb:
The single beam bulbs entails your high and low beam make use of separate bulbs. So, if your stock headlamp makes use of separate bulbs for both high and low beams, this option is for you.
- Dual beam bulb:
The dual beam bulb means that both the low and high beam of your car headlights are combined in one bulb. Like the single beam bulb, if the stock headlamp of your car has a combined feature then, the dual beam bulb is for you.
However, if the type of your car headlights isn’t listed online, you can try contacting your vehicle’s manufacturer or remove one of your headlight’s bulbs and read the information and take note of your bulb type.
STEP 2: purchase a LED conversion kit
Now that you have been able to identify the type of headlight bulb your car makes use of, the next step would be to buy a LED conversion kit. You can easily buy these from almost any auto parts online store. The best part is that these kits come with a self explanatory manual that would guide while replacing your headlight bulbs.
STEP 3: remove your stock headlight bulbs
Once you have your conversion kit, start by ensuring your car is secured by putting off the engine. Then, remove your keys from the ignition and ensure your car is parked properly. Now, open the hood of your vehicle, locate your headlight bulbs, and unplug the plastic wiring connector from the bulb. Tip: If you haven’t ever replaced a headlight bulb the plastic clip might need some gentle assistance with a flat screwdriver. Here is how to change car headlights. In the same vein, you may need to simply twist anti-clockwise and pull out the bulb after you must have removed the metal clip.
STEP 4: install the LED bulbs
Congratulations you are on the final stage. Here, all you have to do is to install the LED bulbs into the headlight socket gently while being careful not to touch the LED with your bare fingers. After installing, gently twist the bulb in a clockwise direction to secure it. Now, reconnect the LED ballast wiring (one end goes to the new bulb while the other to the original wiring fuse.)
It’s time to test it. Power up your headlights and check the position of the cut off. Here is how to know if your headlight are aimed properly. You have readjust your headlights focus so you don’t blind other drivers with your bright new LEDs at night while driving. Should your headlights be improperly focused, you can adjust the headlight alignment screws.
Conclusion
Now that you have perfectly upgraded your car headlights from its old stock to modern bright LED, secure the ballasts using a tape. Also, you want to keep the ballasts away from too much heat, vibration, and moisture. You can secure it at the back of the headlight housing. Ones you are done it’s time to test out your new LED Headlights.
