Which car lamp do I need?
The right car lights are logically very important to be highly visible. Especially in the winter months, it is even more important that your car's lights work properly. It is always handy to have a spare car lamp set in the car, these sets consist of different bulbs. Most cars have different types of bulbs and manufacturers are constantly improving lighting systems and creating new bulbs to ensure the best possible safety.
Here is a brief overview of the different car lamps.
H1, H4 or H7 bulb?
Nowadays, almost all new cars have xenon or LED headlights. However, halogen bulbs remain the most common type and can be found in about 80% of cars. They emit a high-intensity yellow-white light and are very cheap to produce. Common lamp sockets are H1, H3, H6, H4 and H7. What exactly are the differences of the best-known types of H1, H4 and H7?
- H1 lamp: this car lamp has only 1 filament. The H1 bulb was first introduced in 1962 as a single-filament halogen bulb for use in car headlights, and has since been modified so that it can also be used as a fog lamp or tail lights. H1 is originally a halogen bulb, but in today's world it is often seen as an LED version. If you want to order an H1 bulb, we have these H1 lamp set available in our webshop.
- H4 lamp: This type of bulb has traditionally been most commonly used in cars and is a bilux bulb. In other words, a bulb with 2 filaments. This allows them to be used for both high beam and low beam. The high beam and low beam cannot be on at the same time in this case. Modern H4 bulbs are usually available as halogen bulbs. If you want to order these bulbs, check our webshop for the Philips H4 Lamp.
- H7 lamp: the H7 bulb, like the H1 bulb, has only one filament. This means you need to install two H7 bulbs per headlight, one for high beam and one for low beam. The advantage of this is that you can have high and low beam on at the same time, keeping the area in front of the car well lit even when driving with high beam. If you want to order these bulbs, check our webshop for the loose Philips H7 lamp or order a lamp set containing both H7 and H1 bulbs.
The light output is higher with H7 bulbs than with H4 because two bulbs are operating at the same time. But since H7 systems require four bulbs instead of two, and bulbs always need to be replaced on both sides at the same time (due to their similar lifespan), H7 systems have a higher cost factor over time.
What is daytime running light
Daytime running lights (or daytime running lights) are mandatory in the Netherlands and Belgium for cars manufactured after 2011. These lights are located at the front of the car and their purpose is to be more visible during the day. This obligation does not apply to cars of earlier construction years. These lights must be switched on as soon as the engine is switched on. There are brands (such as Volvo) which introduced this feature much earlier. Most DRL lights are made of LED so they require less power. The lights are automatically extinguished as soon as the low-beam headlights are switched on.
Daytime running lamps for cars consist of 2 white lamps, placed between 250 and 1500 mm above the road surface at the front of the vehicle at a distance of at least 600 mm apart.
Low beam
Probably the most widely known and used light, the dipped beam (also known as cross light). This light should be compulsorily switched on when visibility decreases due to evening and/or rain, snow, hail, fog. An H7 or H4 bulb is usually used for these lights. In addition, some cars have xenon lights. The beam should be angled downwards and should not blind other road users.
In both the Netherlands and Belgium, it is compulsory to have your dipped headlights on when it is night and when visibility is obstructed by fog, snow, rain or hail, for example. If you drive into a tunnel, it is also compulsory; there are several (newer) cars that automatically switch on the dipped headlights as soon as they are needed.
Driving light
These lights were originally intended to be used in urban areas, hence the name city light. Nowadays, when visibility is reduced, you are no longer allowed to use only city lights, so other lights must always be on, such as the dipped-beam headlights. These lights therefore do not serve to illuminate the road; it would be better to think of them as parking lights. However, city lights are mandatory if you are parked on or next to the carriageway at night or during the day in poor visibility outside built-up areas.
Large lights and when allowed?
Large lights on the car provide the most visibility on the road, but can blind oncoming traffic. It is therefore forbidden to use these lights when oncoming traffic is approaching. This light shines very far and shines more upwards than, for example, dipped headlights. Within the Netherlands, you are not allowed to use high beam when:
- you drive into oncoming traffic
- by day
- when driving close behind another car
The high beam is also a well-known way of warning other drivers, this is also called the light horn. This is only allowed when there is imminent danger, just like the normal horn.
Fog lamps
As the name suggests, you may use these lights during reduced visibility due mainly to fog. The front fog lights (2 of them) shine more downwards to illuminate the road below the fog bank. Front fog lights may only be used when visibility is less than 200 metres. The rear fog lights (1 or 2 pieces) may only be switched on when visibility is less than 50 metres.
In the Netherlands, it is forbidden to use the rear fog lamp during rain, even in heavy rain. This is because the lamp can reflect through the wet road and blind other drivers. You must also switch off the rear fog light if you find yourself in a traffic jam that is stationary or moving very slowly in fog or snowfall. This is because of danger of blinding those behind.
Xenon lights
Xenon bulbs have become increasingly popular since the 1990s and can no longer be ignored on motorways. They give a lot of (and beautiful) light and last longer than the traditional halogen bulb. The bulbs have now also become a lot more affordable and bring a number of important advantages.
We have written a complete article on this topic, which you can read by clicking this link -. Xenon lights pros and cons.
LED bulbs car
Like everywhere else, the LED bulb in cars is also very popular. The lamps are characterised by high light output, long life and low consumption. So ideal! We have also written a separate article on this subject: LED bulbs car pros and cons.
Signal lamps
Signal lights are the bulbs that relate to the indicator light, stop light and reverse light. These are generally small bulbs; the best-known types in Europe are the P21W and P21/5W bulbs. Curious about the difference, read on in this blog. If you want to order the lights directly, you can do so simply via our webshop. We have these lights in stock:
Car bulb self-replacement
Replacing a car light bulb is often not very difficult and can be done by yourself. Whether the bulb is easily accessible varies per model and sometimes you have no choice but to go to a workshop. If you change the bulb yourself, it is important to let it cool down before changing it. If the bulb has burned, it can get very hot and you want to avoid burning your fingers. Here is a step-by-step plan:
- Determine which lamp is defective
- Buy a suitable lamp, or lamps. In fact, we always recommend replacing your lamps as a pair for safety, convenience and cost savings.
- Now you need to get busy finding the lamp and removing the shade.
- There are usually three power wires attached to the base of the lamp and the lamp is held in place with some kind of locking mechanism. Depending on the make and model of the car, this can be a metal clip, plastic latch or a screw cap. Disconnect the power wires from the lamp and unlock the locking mechanism to release the lamp.
- Next, install the new lamp. When doing so, remember the following: Always wear gloves when handling the new bulb. If oil or grease from your hands gets on the glass of the new bulb, the bulb may burn out as soon as you turn on the headlight. Make sure the new bulb is properly seated in its holder so that the light pattern reflects well (if not, you risk blinding oncoming traffic). And make sure you secure the lamp shade properly when you're done, so that the car's electrical components remain waterproof.
- Now that the bulb is in, you can test it. Close the bonnet, turn on the ignition and turn on the lights to check if the new bulbs work.
We wish you good luck!
