How To Install LED Headlights In Your Car? (Mar, 2024)

While you are driving your car at night, the most important thing is that you must be in a position to clearly see every object in front of you. This is dependent upon the illumination capacity of your car’s headlights.

The Need for LED Headlights

The more the illumination, the safer and easier your driving will be. However, if your car is not a luxury type, the headlight must be the standard halogen light or incandescent. Now that the car LED headlights are available as DIY kits, you can change the current one. Before that, you must know how to install LED headlights.

What are LED Headlights?

LED is the abbreviated form of Light-Emitting Diode. LED headlights are lighting fixtures that make use of LED lamps. LED lamps have a greater life span and higher lighting efficiency. Some chips can emit more than 300 lumens per watt.

They produce light electronically, in contrast to the filament or electrical charge used in other lighting devices. Therefore, they produce brighter light. Although its initial cost is comparatively higher, it is cost-effective in the long run. Moreover, you will get 90% more light compared to the standard bulbs.

Options for Installation

The LED headlight kit comes with step-by-step instructions for installation. Minimal tools are required for installation, and you do not need to have earlier experience in installation. So, you can ‘do it yourself’ if you feel confident enough. Alternatively, you can take the LED headlight kit to a mechanic, who will do it for you. The third option is to ask any of your friends or relatives who have earlier experience with installation.

If you decide to do it yourself, the following are the steps, which, if you follow strictly, will give you a perfect installation and the best result. You must keep in mind that you need an improved light performance. The crystal clear light will be a great asset, adding to the value of your car. If you upgrade the light, you will not have the risk of discoloration and heat damage that is associated with brighter incandescent bulbs.

Photo Credit: http://chromeglow.com/products/headlights-and-passing-lamps/bulbs/led/h4-led-motorcycle-headlight-bulb/

1. Selection of the Right Kit

You have to select one of two styles of LED headlight: single-beam headlight bulbs or dual-beam ones. The single-beam bulbs are used either for high beams or low beams. Each headlight assembly has two bulbs performing each action. In case you intend to have a low beam and a high beam, you need two single-beam LED kits. The new headlights should exactly fit your current headlight housing.

2. Preparation for Installation

Park your car about 20 feet away from your garage with your headlights on. Make a mark of your headlight beams on a wall by using tape. Your LED headlight kit contains two bulbs, wiring, two ballasts and terminated connectors.

Take care to secure the ballasts and wiring from any possible damage. You can use a drill or self-tapping screws or a two-sided tape for securing the ballasts.

3. Removal of Headlight Bulbs

By popping your hood, pull the existing headlights out, but take the utmost care while pulling out. Find out the back of the headlight bulb and remove the wiring connector attached to it with a flat screwdriver.

Turn the headlight bulb connector gently to release it. If you find a metal base on the headlight assembly fastened by a tensioned wire, press down on the end of the wire and then unlock the wire. You can now slide down the headlight out of its housing.

4. Install the Headlight

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To protect yourself and the bulbs, wear clean cotton gloves or use a clean rag or rubber gloves. Make sure that no fingerprint is left on the bulbs. Don’t over-tighten while twisting your headlight, and avoid using any tool to assist.

5. Connect the Ballast

Connect one end of the connector of the ballast to the end of the bulb and the other end to the original wiring of your car. Make sure that two connectors sit perfectly on both sides by giving a gentle tug after connecting

6. Secure the Ballast

Mount the ballast securely on a flat location of the inner fender to avoid its bouncing and the consequent damage to the connectors. Mark the mounting holes with a sharpie, drill pilot holes, and secure them by using metal screws. Alternatively, you can use self-tapping screws or two-sided tapes.

In case you prefer not to drill your car, prepare the surface with an alcohol swab and allow it to dry before putting the tape. Using zip ties is not safe because the vibration and movement may cause it to loosen and swing around the moving parts.

7. Test Your New LED Headlights

After starting your car engine, test your headlights to see that it fires right up brightly. Then, to check its aim, place your car at the same location where you started working and see if it aims at the same mark made on the wall. If you find any deviation, correct it by resetting it. Ensure the right dispersion of light. If the aim is not correct, you may experience flashes from traffic and also red and blue flashing lights behind you.

Your car should automatically turn on the dim lights when it becomes dark. However, remember that your headlight won’t turn on due to some reasons, such as a problem with the fuse, voltage down, or a problem with the switch. After identifying the exact reason, take immediate remedial measures.

Essential Automotive Parts to Consider

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As a car owner, it is very pertinent that you know about different types of auto parts, that may be required, sooner or later, if your car shows any symptom of a disorder:

Battery: It has multiple functions, such as starting, lighting, and igniting the engine of your car. Recharge it before it comes down to 3% of its capacity
Axle: It is the central shaft that turns the wheel and joins the front wheels to the real ones. Protect it from rust
Brakes: The service brake stops the car, and the emergency brake is used for parking the car
Pistons: There may be four, six, or eight pistons moving inside a cylinder, and its length determines the RPM and HP of your car
Fuel Injector: It carries gas from the fuel tank to the engine and increases the fuel efficiency
Radiator: It is the car coolant and protects your car engine from overheating. Take care of its leaking
Ac Compressor: It controls the temperature inside your car, by moving the coolant in the air conditioning system. It needs regular lubrication
Clutch: It facilitates transmission of power to the wheels and is controlled by the clutch pedal. It is used while the gear is changed.
Engine Fan: It keeps air flowing over the radiator and is controlled by a thermostatic switch or a computer for the engine.
Spare Tire: Although it is not a built-in car part, you can have a full-sized spare tire, or a compact or even a run flat tire that can take you to the nearest tire repairing shop.
Car Jack: It is used to lift a part of your car, particularly for changing a tire
Shock Absorbers: They may be either mechanical or hydraulic for dampening the shock impulses, caused due to jerking and bouncing
Transmission: It is the gear box that transmits the energy generated in the engine to the wheels of your car

The other different automotive parts include spark plugs, air filters, mufflers, catalytic converters, alternators, and pressure gauges.