xenon headlights

[rozia]

what are they? why are they different from normal ones? if they are the realy bright ones why are they allowed to blind other motorist.....i see these prestige cars with really bright headlights, and they are strong and hurt my eyes. Are these the xenon ones?

[EDDIE51]

Cars that dazzle oncoming traffic do so because they have badly adjusted headlights , nothing to do with the type of light unit.

[Buenchico]

The Xenon ones are those which sometimes seem to have a steely blue tint to them.

[webbo3]

Eddie, I think the lights that rozia is referring to are the very bright white light ones, if this is the case then yes they are xenon ones.


Dave.

[HonestJezza]

they use xenon as an inert gas rather than argon
they have no filament
they do not dazzle unless incorectly adjusted
they are your friend

[AlBags]

They are HID headlights. They use an 'arc' to produce the light output.
Using a combination of different gases and designs, they produce a light which can vary from yellow through to purple, according to the colour temperature.
Most are Xenon.
Aftermarket bulbs mimic blue light or HID-type bulbs by filters or different gases.

[Toureman]

No cars have High intensity Headlights, only the dipped beam headlights are Xenon the Xenons have sensors on the front and rear suspension which actually move the Xenon bulbs up and down as the car moves along the road, they should not dazzle at all, the manufacture fitted Xenons also only give out a white light, they also have to have high power headlight washers to keep the lights clean so there is no light scatter.

I have never been flashed by another driver because my Xenons are to bright.

The problem now is that illegal HID conversion kits are available, these could be the ones causing the problem as they do not come with the
expensive levelling system or the special headlamp washer.

http://www.direct.gov...ehicle/Mot/DG_4022109

When the above rules on lights come into force perhaps they will be scrapped as they will be an MOT failure.

http://www.direct.gov...ehicle/Mot/DG_4022109

[chas2008]

yep,
tourman has summed it up, legaly they have to have auto adjust & headlamp wash , this renders most if not all the aftermarket kits illegal...
On many late cars when the headlamp is replaced the vehicle has to be reprogramed to reset it.