A reflector headlight consists of a bulb installed into a plastic reflective bowl. Don’t let the date fool you though, as today, we still see most brand-new vehicles utilize the great technology. Reflectors were invented back around 1935, but I won’t get into the details there. There are two main types of headlight and foglight systems, reflector and projectors. Please note that the tool that you receive after placing an online order may be in a used but operable condition due to the nature of the Loan-A-Tool® program.Headlight & Fog Light Types Reflectors vs Projectors Do not wear ties or loose clothing when working on your vehicle.įREE Loan-A-Tool® program requires returnable deposit. Should electrolyte get on your body or clothing, neutralize it immediately with a solution of baking soda and water. Always wear gloves and safety glasses and other personal protection equipment, and work in a well-ventilated area. Sulfuric acid is caustic and can burn clothing and skin or cause blindness. Use caution when working with automotive batteries. Always disconnect the negative battery cable before servicing an electrical application on the vehicle to protect its electrical circuits in the event that a wire is accidentally pierced or grounded. Always chock your wheels prior to lifting a vehicle. Refer to the service manual for specific diagnostic, repair and tool information for your particular vehicle. Information is accurate and true to the best of AutoZone’s knowledge, however, there may be omissions, errors or mistakes.īe sure to consult your owner’s manual, a repair guide, an AutoZoner at a store near you, or a licensed, professional mechanic for vehicle-specific repair information. Halogen bulbs require large reflective housings, but HID lights can be made much smaller, allowing auto designers and aftermarket customizers the chance to create interesting shapes to enhance the look of your vehicle.Īdvice, how-to guides, and car care information featured on and AutoZone Advice & How-To’s are presented as helpful resources for general maintenance and automotive repairs from a general perspective only and should be used at your own risk. The final advantage of HID headlights is style. HID headlight bulbs are more expensive than halogen bulbs but are almost always less expensive than their LED counterparts. The frequency of an HID bulb will also tend to be whiter than a halogen, producing light that is comparable to daylight, rather than the yellowing coloration of most halogens. HID headlights are almost the inverse of that, converting more than 70% of their energy into light, and wasting less than 30% to heat.Īnother advantage seen in HID headlights is their ability to produce high amounts of light when compared to halogen bulbs. A typical halogen bulb will convert about 20% of its energy into light, with the other 80% becoming waste heat. HID headlights are much more efficient than halogen bulbs, producing more light with less power, reducing the strain on your vehicle’s electrical system, and improving fuel economy over the long run. Some of the xenon in an HID bulb gets destroyed in the process of producing light in this way, so HID bulbs do have an expiration date, but you will typically notice a gradual reduction in light production as your HID bulbs begin to fail, as opposed to the abrupt failure you will often experience with a halogen bulb. HID bulbs differ from halogen bulbs in that the electrical arc travels through gas instead of moving through a tungsten filament. The electricity coursing through the xenon gas excites the molecules in the gas, causing it to produce light, which is projected forward by the bulb. These electrodes are housed within a quartz chamber that is filled with xenon gas. The electricity flows to the first electrode and the electrode causes the current to spark across to the second electrode. Your car uses a 12-volt electrical system, but an HID bulb requires higher voltage to start the arcing process, so the ballast increases the voltage temporarily to get the bulbs started and then regulates the voltage going forward. The process starts with the ballast, which is an electronic device that can alter the voltage being sent to the bulbs. If you’ve ever seen a neon sign in a local shop, you’ve seen the same process at work, with an electrical current arcing through a noble gas, in that case being neon.Īn HID headlight uses the same fundamental principles as those neon store lights, but with the intent of projecting the light forwards, rather than lighting up an “Open” sign. The simple version is that HID headlight bulbs create light by arcing electricity through Xenon gas, between two electrodes.
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