Projector headlights deliver better visibility when driving on the highways. Many people do not know about the headlights present in their vehicles.
Furthermore, you can see different headlamps with bulbs due to advancements in technology.
Does My Car Have Projector Headlights? You can tell if your car has projector headlights or reflectors by examining the physical features of these headlamps and studying the instructions manual. Projector headlights bulbs are hidden behind a reflector bowl and lens and appear impressive aesthetically. Moreover, it produces a focused, high-intensity light beam that provides better illumination. Furthermore, it contains a cutoff shield and Solenoid that allows light rays to bend down on the road.
Reflector headlights were present before the 20th century, and all cars contain the same headlamp housing.
What are projector headlights?
Projector headlights are high-performance lights close to the hood in luxury vehicles. The types of headlamps include reflectors and projectors, which differ in their structural features.
Both of them have some standard physical features with reflector headlamps like bulbs and reflector bowls. However, a cutoff shield, Solenoid, and a lens are distinguishing features.
It produces a fine or narrow beam in contrast to a reflector that gives a wide beam. Moreover, they mostly contain halogen, HID, or LED, but halogen bulbs are not used now.
How do I know if my car has projector headlights?
You can know about the type of headlights present in your vehicle by looking at bulbs, lenses, and shutter features.
In addition, the spread of light and intensity can also help check whether the car has a projector or reflector headlamp.
Presence of Lens
You can know about the type of these hidden headlamps by determining the presence of lenses. For example, an invisible bulb shows a projector-type because the lens and reflector bowl cover it.
You can differentiate reflector lights from others as you can see the bulb in the reflector type, while it is hidden behind a glass of fish-eye shape in the latter one.
Moreover, this round-shape magnifying glass or lens plays its role in intensifying the light beam.
It distributes light rays evenly when they fall on its surface after passing through the bowl and shutter.
Cutoff shield and Solenoid
A cutoff shield with a solenoid is present, which ensures the correct angle of the light. It gives a sharp cutoff and concentrates light down on the road.
In addition, the Solenoid contributes to making the headlight effective by regulating the switch and controlling the intensity of rays.
Furthermore, the cutoff shield deals with low beams, while the Solenoid allows high beams to pass by moving the cutoff shield aside.
Absence of dark spots
These do not create blind spots means that the light spreads in all directions in front of the car and provides a better driving experience at night.
The light beam from the reflector type cannot illuminate all the sides and create dark spots. Therefore, it generates a safety concern for you if you have an eyesight problem.
Impressive design
It gives the vehicle a modern and appealing look because you cannot see the housing’s dome-shaped bowl.
It provides an excellent appearance to most modern luxury vehicles containing these lights.
Compatible with Xenon HID lights
It is compatible with high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs because they are too bright to use in the reflector.
Their bulb is not exposed directly; instead, present behind the mirrors and does not allow light rays to spread inside the mirror.
So, these do not result in flashing lights in drivers’ eyes on the road while driving at night.
In addition, you can also use LED bulbs within their casing as they can efficiently manage the bright or high-intensity rays.
Better illumination
You need a better light source to get a clear and bright view at night. Bright light makes every mile of your journey safe and secure until you reach your destination.
They are brighter and provide better illumination than the reflector. In addition, they can illuminate the road surface even at a long distance due to their efficient design.
Moreover, it throws more light ahead and projects a focused beam without any shattering of the rays on the sides.
Check instructions manual or online
It is better to know the different options to choose the best one to improve the driving experience and reach the destination safely.
You can check the manual, which contains all the information about your car. For example, it can help to know the type of lights present in it.
In addition, you can also determine it through online sources by checking the information about the exact car model or searching for the features and looks.
Can you put an LED bulb in the projector headlight?
You can add an LED bulb to these headlights because they are highly compatible with each and can efficiently deal with light rays.
They increase the headlamp’s effectiveness due to the presence of a diode that diverts the high-intensity rays on the projector.
They are not suitable because of the exposed reflector bowl and do not gets fit into it efficiently.
However, you should consider some drawbacks of LED: they cannot project light to a long distance due to beam distortion, so it is better to use HID products.
Can I upgrade the projector headlights to LED?
You can replace the expired bulb with a defective tungsten filament or, if it is producing dim light, with a halogen, HID, and LED bulbs.
These bulbs are suitable for use in these headlamps, but HID lights are good due to their high-intensity light and brightness.
You can upgrade your vehicle with LED bulbs by disconnecting the connectors and removing the old ones. Then, put the LED bulb into the space inside the hood and again join the connectors.
It can easily manage and provide an even beam of light without any shattering of rays.
What are the disadvantages of projector headlights?
They have many benefits, like their modern look and absence of dark zones that allow light rays to spread all around.
However, some flaws are there, like they are expensive and require proper maintenance. Furthermore, it can be unsafe to fit them into old vehicles that are not made for them.
It goes deep inside the car hood and takes extra space that makes them unsuitable for use in some vehicles.
What does a projector headlight look like?
These differ from the reflector in terms of physical features because they have few similarities.
They have a bulb present inside a reflector bowl which is elliptical and contain mirrors to reflect the rays.
It throws light on the cutoff shield, which disperses these rays after converging at a focal point.
Moreover, it contains a concave lens that magnifies the light beam and improves its intensity. So, they have a lens, and cutoff shield, which are not present in the reflector.
Related Articles: