Packed by the wave of “tuned” cars, many drivers arrive at the workshops to exchange headlights and lamps for more modern, attractive components with more advanced technologies. The main highlights of this fashion are the Xenon and bi-Xenon headlights. These models are already widely used abroad and, here in Brazil, can be found originally in cars like BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. For further details, go here: best HID conversion kit

 

Xenon headlights ensure better illumination and light distribution, a result obtained using a type of incandescent lamp with bluish white light (from Xenon). Another up-and-coming model is intelligent bi-Xenon, which follows the steering movement, illuminating an angle of up to 20º in tight curves.

 

It is necessary, however, to alert your customer that these applications are not always suitable for his vehicle and may even be illegal. Lamps and headlamps that emit blue colored beams; lens protectors (films) covering the flashlight; and lamps with a higher power than specified by the automaker are prohibited by the Brazilian Traffic Code.

 

Xenon lamps replace the conventional filament of halogen models with an electric arc, powered by a discharge of Xeno gas. They last five times longer than halogen incandescents, in addition to having other advantages such as, greater luminous flux, less electrical consumption and reduced heat emission.

 

According to the manufacturer Arteb, headlights and Xenon lamps must comply with European lighting standards ECE-R37 and the resolution of Contran 692/88, in Brazil. To do this, low beam headlamps need to be used in combination with an automatic or dynamic headlamp adjustment and cleaning system. This scheme allows a Xenon light source to fill the two headlight lights (high and low).

 

To use lamps similar to xenon, the option is the Cool Blue models, by Osram, and Blue Vision and Crystal Vision, by Philips. They emit a bright white light, however, within Brazilian law. “Crystal Vison is even more similar to xenon, as it has 4,300K of color temperature and can be installed in vehicles equipped with H1, H3, H4, H7 and W5W lamps without having to make any adjustments to the headlight”, comments Eduardo Valentin , Marketing and Philips Automotive Lighting product. The lamps can be found in the aftermarket, but before installing, check that it is compatible with the characteristics of the car headlight.

 

Currently, most vehicles use headlights of the parabolic type or composed of two parabolic reflectors. The model uses a double filament halogen lamp with an internal deflector, specific for this type of headlight. As a result, the low beam takes advantage only of the upper part of the parable, while the high beam reflects on the entire region of the component. Its lens is optical and distributes light evenly.

 

The elliptical models, most suitable for low beam use, are composed of an elliptical reflector and a bulkhead, which blocks part of the light, allowing the rest to pass. Headlights with plastic lenses (polycarbonate with protective varnish) are also in evidence, as they increase impact resistance, have greater abrasion and block ultraviolet rays, ensuring more safety for vehicle occupants.

 

Arteb also has “Free Form” headlights, developed with new techniques in the field of reflection and dispersion. They send the photometry of the lighthouse lens to the reflector, which does all the light distribution without using optics on the lens. Models that use the system are the VW Gol, Parati and Saveiro.

 

Headlights with LPP (Low Profile Polyester) reflectors, which equip the Chevrolet Astra, have polycarbonate lenses, are more resistant and offer better light. The LPP type with double and metallic reflectors, found in the Toyota Corolla, are more effective because they have transparent lenses.