Is there an advantage having LED head lights?

[nickpike]

I see comments occasionally talking about LED head lights as if they are better than the HIDs. I have HIDs and find them very satisfactory. Is there an advantage having LEDs. I suppose they will use less power but can't see that is very significant as the petrol saving must be minimal.

 

[cagilber]

We have my genesis and a new Volvo XC90 with full LED light package. I'm not sure I would say the LED is better, just different.

My guess is it's just one of the items that the manufactuers can claim as a luxury item and separate themselves from entry level models now that almost everything comes standard with all the electronic safety features (radar, etc), blind spot monitoring, navigation, backup cameras, etc.

 

[Midnightsun]

Since the IIHS has starting testing it is obvious it has nothing to do with light type such as LED or HID or halogen. Everything is in the reflector design that needs to work hand in hand with the chosen bulb. Several large luxury vehicles failed miserable even with HID and some even with LED. This is a good start to help understand. http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/deskt...-headlight-ratings-show-most-need-improvement. As for LED, the Honda RL with LED works well according to IIHS and I would say the do a remarkable job. Take a Honda Accord in the upper trim with LED lights and compare to the lower trim Halogen and the results say the halogen version is superior, halogen being acceptable and the LED marginal.

 

[zeez]

We have my genesis and a new Volvo XC90 with full LED light package. I'm not sure I would say the LED is better, just different.

My guess is it's just one of the items that the manufactuers can claim as a luxury item and separate themselves from entry level models now that almost everything comes standard with all the electronic safety features (radar, etc), blind spot monitoring, navigation, backup cameras, etc.

I can only speak based on light bulbs in the home, in which case LEDs are superior to CFLs and others because they are more energy efficient and, more importantly, do not decrease their life expectancy if you flick them on/off. Normally I wouldn't consider this a major issue on a car, but i've noticed that the AUTO mode on the Genesis is very sensitive and on a road with trees you'll see the lights alternate between DRL and headlights every few seconds.

 

[glennk]

I'd assume longevity and energy consumption are the reasons to shift to LED.

 

[kn5owa]

I'd assume longevity and energy consumption are the reasons to shift to LED.

Should be more shock resistant also.

 

[glennk]

Plus, can't they run on 48 volt systems?

 

[xsolara]

Simple white LED only need 3 volts to operate.... simple electronic circuits can adjust voltage so any LED will work.

 

[Aquineas]

Since the IIHS has starting testing it is obvious it has nothing to do with light type such as LED or HID or halogen. Everything is in the reflector design that needs to work hand in hand with the chosen bulb. Several large luxury vehicles failed miserable even with HID and some even with LED. This is a good start to help understand. http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/deskt...-headlight-ratings-show-most-need-improvement. As for LED, the Honda RL with LED works well according to IIHS and I would say the do a remarkable job. Take a Honda Accord in the upper trim with LED lights and compare to the lower trim Halogen and the results say the halogen version is superior, halogen being acceptable and the LED marginal.

I think the HID lights on my 2004 TL are the best headlights of any car I've ever owned. My KDM-spec Genesis HIDs would probably be decent if they were aligned correctly.