Everything You Need To Learn About Automotive Lighting

The bluish tint you see on some vehicle headlights is created by a light technology that uses no filament. High-Intensity Discharge HID bulbs, also commonly referred to as xenon headlights, create light by applying electricity to high-pressure gas-xenon in this case. The gas is heated white hot, giving off visible light that appears nearly bluish-white in color. The color of the light is much closer to the color of sunlight, making it comfortable for the driver. The HID bulb uses less electricity, and lasts much longer than the other types of filament bulbs. HID bulb life is approximately 200,000 miles.

The latest bulb technology to be introduced to automtive is the Light-Emitting Diode (aka LED Lights). These tiny bulbs, a fraction of the size of the others, don't utilize a filament or gas plasma for illumination. Instead, they create light from the movement of electricity across a tiny electronic chip. As they have no filament or gas to heat for illumination, LED bulbs tend to run at very cool temperatures, and require very little electricity. These properties also allow them to be placed within plastic cases or lenses, which are much more durable than glass. Smaller, cooler, more moisture- and vibration-resistant, and much more efficient, LED bulbs are designed to last the lifetime of your vehicle-often decades.

In 1898, the first electric headlights appeared as an option on some vehicles, but their application was hardly widespread. Cadillac introduced the first electrical lighting and ignition system equipped with shock-resistant incandescent headlight bulbs in 1912. Shortly thereafter, nearly all vehicles were exclusively using incandescent bulbs, in headlights, interior lights and for dashboard illumination. Replacing bulbs was commonplace, as they burned out frequently.

Today's headlights are typically halogen bulbs, with standard or focused lenses, placed behind plastic covers (for aerodynamics and bulb protection). Upscale vehicles are often equipped with HID headlights with an auto-leveling feature to ensure that the light is directed properly for different vehicle-load conditions. Adaptive headlights, which were recently introduced, turn with the vehicle to aid illumination while cornering. Daytime running lights keep the headlights illuminated during the day for increased vehicle visibility in traffic.

Blinkers, brake lights and side-marker lights are typically lit by small incandescent bulbs. As costs fall, LED technology is quickly replacing these bulbs by offering quicker illumination that helps decrease driver reaction times as well as better reliability and longevity. Their tiny size also allows them to fit in smaller spaces, and they weigh less than the equivalent traditional bulb.

Dashboard lights and interior illumination-traditionally incandescent bulbs tinted white, green or orange-are being replaced with color-specific LEDs. As they are minimal in size, LEDs can fit unobtrusively just about anywhere. As a result, they are now illuminating switches, foot wells and door handles while casting a soft glow in automotive interiors.

The future of automotive lighting

Though HID technology seems optimal for headlight use, it is the light-emitting diode, or LED, that will be commonplace on nearly all automobiles in the future. Their low cost, small size and extreme reliability will allow them to become the "light of choice" for exterior such as LED tail lights, LED sidemarker lights and daytime lights and interior LED accent lighting. As LED technology is still relatively new, advancements will soon increase light output by nearly 30 times-enough to even make LED headlights feasible. Like the gas lantern hung on the first automotive, it is just a matter of time before the traditional filament-based bulb burns out completely.

But remember the not yet out Laser Lights, may take over the LED lights' position, so we will see.