Even a little over a decade back; LEDs were unheard off, at least to most of us common folk. But in the past few years, they have made a very big appearance in the lighting industries. At least some if not all forms of lighting in our homes are LED based. We have LED string lights for gardens, LED lights for decks, recessed lighting made of LEDs for ourpathways and even solar lights that have LEDs in them. That is why it is not very surprising that LEDs are a part of the automobile industry as well.
History of LED Lights in Cars
LEDs are very commonly used especially for tail lights in cars and motorbikes. LED headlights are not as common, but there are a lot of new cars that come with LEDs for their headlights, the 2008 model Lexus was the first car to come out with LED lights. Later in the same year, the Audi R8 was also released with full LED headlights, tail lights, daytime running lights, turn lights and brake lights.
Types of LED Lights for Your Car
LEDs can be used instead of other lighting for all the various lights in your car. LEDs for car lights are available as lights for interiors, headlamps, turn lights, daytime running lights, marker lights, break lights, third break lights, warning lights and fog lights
Advantages of LED lights for Cars
The main benefits of using LED lights over other lights are that they:
- Last longer than any other light
- They are highly energy efficient and help you conserve your car’s battery
- Their multiple light bulbs make them more visible at night
- LEDs are environmentally friendly as they do not emit harmful ultra violet and infra-red rays
- Smaller LEDs that are used for tail lights and break lights do not give out much heat.
- LEDs are very flexible in design, giving greater light patterns and design options when compared to other lamps.
- LEDs can provide directional light, with good high and low beam options. LED headlights can be dimmed, automatically leveled and are very similar in their function to most other head lamps.
Disadvantages of LED Lights for Cars
The main drawbacks of using LEDs for your car lights are:
- They are not as bright as other head lamps made out of HIDs (High Intensity Discharge) and halogen lamps.
- Larger LED bulbs give out a lot of heat to the extent of melting the plastic that surrounds it.
- Maintaining the heat from LED headlamps requires expensive heat sinks and cooling systems.
- The LED circuit system is relatively new, making it difficult for most to install or replace without professional help.
- Initial installation costs are generally more than other head lamps
Cost of LED Lights for Cars
The cost of LEDs for your car depends on where you want them. Headlights are usually the most expensive while the reflector lights are the least expensive. Complete LED headlights are only available for certain cars that are made with the LED provisions in them like the latest Audi and the Lexus. The tail lights are available at prices as low as $90 and the reflector lights are priced at around $8.
LEDs are truly the latest in the automobile lighting technology. Although LEDs do have a few issues to overcome in order to become the most preferred form of lighting, they are definitely here to stay. With time, LEDs are only going to get more cost efficient, more energy efficient, longer lasting and in designs that no other lights will be capable of. These lights are most certainly ones to watch out for in the near future.