Here's Everything You Should Know About HID Lights

HID headlights have been around since the early 1990s and the first production car to use them was the 1991 BMW 7-Series.

Headlight technology has changed a lot since sealed beam units were standard on every car and truck. There are more options than ever for choosing lighting systems on a new car and even more if you’re planning to replace or upgrade headlights on your own vehicle.

When it comes to upgrades and replacements, one of the first things everyone sees are the headlights.

They can dramatically change the appearance of the exterior of a vehicle and, if chosen wisely, can dramatically change the performance and safety of nighttime driving.

One of the most popular upgrades and retrofits to older vehicles is a change from sealed beams or halogen headlights to HID headlights. They are also a popular option on new cars and dramatically change your nighttime driving experience.

If you’re thinking about making an upgrade or just want to know what they’re all about read on as we dive into everything you could ever possibly want to know about HID headlights.

If you’re unfamiliar with headlight terminology, don't worry, all of the options and lingo can be confusing, so a quick explainer should clear everything up. HID stands for high-intensity discharge, which simply means that the bulbs are brighter than standard headlights. An HID headlight is assembled with two tungsten electrodes enclosed in a glass housing.

The glass housing is filled with xenon gas and metal salts, usually sodium and mercury. When electricity is applied to the tungsten electrodes an arc is created. The xenon gas helps enable the arc's initial start up. When the electrical arc heats up, it evaporates the metal salts creating an intense visible light that is far brighter than any halogen or sealed beam headlight, hence the name, high-intensity discharge. Because the bulb is filled with xenon gas, HID lights are often also referred to as xenon lights.

There are two types of HID headlights, standard HID and Bi-Xenon. Standard HID lights are typically found in applications where there is a bulb for low beams and another bulb for high beams. This is called a single-beam headlight system, and in this scenario the HID bulb is used for the low beam and a halogen bulb is used for the high beam.

Bi-Xenon headlights are used in dual-beam systems which a single bulb produces both the low beam and the high beam. Most often, this type of system uses a shield or reflector to change from low to high beam and requires moving parts within the headlight assembly. The added complexity increases the cost of these units and the system also requires maintenance to ensure everything works properly. It's important to note that Bi-Xenon headlights do not work in single-beam headlight systems.

HID headlights have been around since the early 1990s and the first production car to use them was the 1991 BMW 7-Series. Despite auto makers moving toward LED and laser technology, HID headlights remain popular and widespread on most modern vehicles.

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When comparing HID headlights to sealed beam or halogen headlights there are quite a few benefits. Firstly, they offer better visibility and range. More light equals more visibility and range, and that extra visibility makes your night drive safer. Being able to identify signs, road hazards, people and animals sooner is always a good thing. Another advantage is less energy usage. HID bulbs are far more efficient than halogen or sealed beam units, that means they draw less power from your vehicles electrical system making your car more efficient as well.

Beyond that, HID headlight bulbs last between 5,000 and 8,000 hours. This a significant advantage over halogen bulbs which have a typical lifespan of around 1,000 hours. As for durability, because HID bulbs have no filaments, they are less fragile than halogen bulbs. This is an advantage if you regularly drive on poor roads.

Most halogen bulbs produce a warm, yellowish light whereas HID bulbs produce a cleaner whiter light. This is due to the increase in brightness and temperature of the bulb. In addition, HID bulbs, because of their brightness, have a wider variety of light color options. From bright white to blue hues. This allows you to get the best performance, visibility and "look" from your car to suit your style and driving habits.

HID lights are also easy to install. Most HID bulb kits are easy to install with only simple instructions to follow. No major changes to vehicle wiring is required and they typically connect directly to existing factory installed connectors.

Lastly, equipping your vehicle with HID headlights can, I some cases, add value to your vehicle. If you’re planning on selling your ride, many potential buyers prefer the look of HID headlights and when done on an older car can give it an updated and custom look.

We can't talk about HID headlights without discussing a couple disadvantages, these include:

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If you’ve decided to carry out a retrofit or upgrade to your vehicle and install HID headlights there are some things to consider when installing.

If your vehicle has a single-beam headlight system, you can't equip it with bi-xenon headlights, they won't function correctly. Lumens is the measurement of how bright a light source is and is the rating for the brightness of HID bulbs. The more lumens, the brighter it will be.

A lower wattage bulb will be more efficient. HID headlight kits will come with either a DC or AC ballast. The DC kits produce more energy but at the cost of efficiency, heat and lifespan. An AC kit is usually cheaper, runs cooler and consumes less power.

It's also important that you choose the correct color. HID headlights range from yellowish to indigo, so check to ensure you’re getting the right color of light.

Beyond that, if you’re planning on DIY-ing an HID headlight kit you may want to opt for a vehicle specific, plug-and-play installation kit. This will save a lot of time, wiring, customization and modification to your car to get them to work proper. If you plan on having the pros install your kit, it is fine to opt for the more complicated set up, just be sure to factor in labor costs to your HID budget.

It's also vital that you do some research on the kit before purchase. There is no shortage of HID headlight kits on the market today. Prices vary widely and there are many different manufacturers. Check reviews of the kits you’re interested in and be sure to check out car forums for people who have installed HID headlights on a vehicle like yours. They can help with installation questions and give you real-world information about how well the kit works.

Also, make sure to research local restrictions on headlights. As previously stated, some states restrict how bright your headlights can be and also may ban colors other than yellow or white.

HID headlights are a worthwhile option if you’re looking for a new car to purchase or if you’re interested in upgrading your existing vehicle. The additional brightness, range, color and performance of the system will be instantly obvious over a halogen or sealed beam headlight. The cost of the upgrade may be worth it to you when you factor in the efficiency and lifespan of the unit and certainly worth it if it gives your vehicle the custom touch you always wanted.

Shields is a news writer at HotCars. When he's not putting pen to paper, or more accurately finger to keyboard, you'll find him at a racetrack. Shields races GT4, GT3 and TCR cars in the UK and Europe and spends the rest of his time dreaming up his next automotive adventure.