LED bulb for car is one of the most crucial upgrades you can do in your car. Because car headlights are one of the most crucial parts of any vehicle. Once the sun goes down, they are vital towards maintaining your safety and visibility on the road. Car lights keep us safe from road hazards and adverse weather conditions. While also helping us maintain the safety of other vehicles and pedestrians.

In addition to the safety aspect, an LED bulb for car also has a direct effect on the proficiency of the driver. If you can’t see the road properly, it becomes that much harder to navigate during the night. With proper lighting, you can easily judge the road and be more confident in your driving. It also gives you vital reaction time in the case of accidents or general road rash behavior.

Even the government recognizes the benefits of proper automotive lighting. Which is why it is illegal to travel with broken headlights. You must replace any broken light bulbs on your car as soon as possible. But why just replace, when you can upgrade from regular halogens to LED bulbs for car?

What are LED Bulbs?

LED stands for light emitting diode. This is the fancy name for a microchip attached to a light source. When an electrical current passes through the microchip, it illuminates the LED.

Due to the simplified process, it all fits in a smaller size as well. This is why LED bulbs are a lot smaller than traditional incandescent light bulbs. They are also 90% more efficient, with a lot better light spread.

Due to all these advantages, LED bulb for car have been adopted by most car manufacturers. With every model refresh, more and more cars are featuring LED lights as standard. They are also the favorite aftermarket accessory for people who want to update the look of their car.

Just in case you too are looking to upgrade the lighting system of your car. We would suggest starting with OSRAM LEDriving HL & XTR series. They take advantage of the best LED technologies to deliver unique lighting benefits. To help you understand it better, here are a few more benefits that an LED bulb for car has over traditional bulbs.

Benefits of LED Bulb for Car

In addition to being smaller and more efficient, LED bulbs for cars have a lot more advantages. Some that might not be as obvious, but still make sense. Here are a few of them.

Brighter Light – They say that the color of a light affects how bright it can get. This is why most modern LED bulbs come in harsher colors, that are closer to white. Rather than the yellow tones that are a signature of halogen bulbs. As white light gets the brightest.

Better Focus – LED bulb for car are not only brighter, they also have a more focused spread. This is because LED’s are directional light sources. As compared to traditional incandescent bulbs and CFL’s. Which release light and heat in all directions. This means LED bulbs are better for direction lighting applications like car headlights.

Smaller Packaging – As we have mentioned above, LED’s are a lot smaller than traditional light sources. Which means that you can fit multiple LED’s in a housing that would traditionally hold only one bulb. This means you can get a bigger source of light in a similar packaging, by switching to LED bulb for car.

Better Heat Management – It is common knowledge that heat is the enemy of electronics. The more heat your expose any electronic product to, the faster it degrades. This is why halogen bulbs have a shorter shelf life. Since they release 90% of their light as heat. LED bulbs on the other hand release their heat through heat sinks. Special LED bulbs like the OSRAM LEDriving XTR feature special high-speed silent fans. To further supplement the cooling and increase the longevity of the LED.

Plug & Play Compatibility – When it comes to upgrading the lighting system of a car, LED’s are the simplest solution. They can replace traditional bulbs without the need to upgrade the housing. Which is not something you can do with more complex systems. Like projector headlamps and laser light systems. A good example of this is the OSRAM LEDriving HL series. Which has compatible retrofit LEDs for a whole range of headlights. Including but not limited to H1, H4, H7, H11, HB4, and others. You can easily find one that fits your personal vehicle.

These are just some of the benefits associated with using an LED bulb for car. You can look for a suitable upgrade for your own vehicle and enjoy them as well. Brands like OSRAM have a whole range of LED offerings for automobiles. So, you might also find similar upgrades for other car lights, such as tail lights and DRLs. Or even interior and reading lights. Have a good time exploring it all.

Headlights have come a long way in the past century. We went from lantern style oil lamps hung from the hinges of the roof. To spotlight style rounded vintage lamps of the early 30s saloons. To early integrated incandescent lamps of the 50s that became the precursor of the modern halogens.

Today, we have moved even beyond halogen, to individual LEDs and Matrix clusters setups. That simplify the design exponentially by bypassing all wasteful chemical processes, and going straight to electroluminescence. This has drastically reduced the wastage in terms of both energy and heat.

By eliminating the heat waste, you can go for smaller bulbs, with smaller heat syncs, and more tightly integrated components. An adjacent benefit of having such minimal area requirements and thermal output. Is that you can now reduce the size of the large bulky housings themselves. That were initially required to properly dissipate that excess heat.

All these innovations in design and engineering have radically freed up car manufacturers. In terms of design choices, as now, you can get better performance and more useful light output from a smaller module. Thus, you can either go for a single individual light, or even a whole bunch of them, without having to stick to any traditional shapes. Since reflectors don’t need to play that big a role in focusing the comparatively low lumen output of halogen lamps.

As a result, we are seeing newer models featuring unique lighting configurations. From a single straight LED bar running across the whole front and/or back. To individual LED clusters snugly fitted into complicated patterns cut into the body. This means that companies can now offer more variation in the lighting design, to make newer models seem more futuristic. Even if they offer no such advancements beneath the hood.

Since modern LEDs also have the ability to change colors, the input of the lighting system in the overall style, look, and feel of the vehicle has also increased drastically. As you can now use integrated interior lights, and even colored headlight LED bulbs, to change the theme of the vehicle with a click of a button.

All this means that the concept of synced lighting has we used to see in older video games of the early 2000s. Can now be a reality, at a very affordable rate. Thanks to brands like OSRAM, which offer both interior and exterior LED lights. That feature integrated control boards for wireless modularity on the go.

Even if you don’t place a lot of stock into design and color choices. There is still much to rejoice about modern LED lighting. Since, with each iteration, headlights have also become more reliable, powerful, and efficient. As new innovations in lighting and automotive technologies have begun to change each aspect of the headlight assembly.

So, you can get newer versions of various components, like caps, braces, bulbs, and even sockets. That can be retrofitted into existing vehicles, without actually changing the complete assembly. Thus, giving you the benefit of modern lighting, without the perception of any design change.

This kind of subtle modernization is great for restomod vintage vehicles, which is a popular category in today’s car culture. Amongst enthusiasts who you want the comforts and efficiencies of modern components, with the design and aesthetic of a more overtly beautiful era in automotive design. 

In addition to such experiments from OEM manufacturing and car companies, in regards to headlight shape, size, and placement. There are also various third-party manufacturers like OSRAM, who like to play with the possibilities within the constraints of a particular company’s design language.

You can even buy completely built out assemblies for front headlights as well as taillights. For various models across different brands, which contain all new components and design elements. That are completely different from the OEM interpretation.

Here are the few models that you can pick from so far, under the LEDriving banner from OSRAM:

(i) VW Golf VI Gen

(ii) VW Golf VII Gen

(iii) VW Golf VII Facelift

(iv) VW Amarock

(v) Ford Focus 3

(vi) Ford Fiesta MK7

(vii) BMW 1 Series

These assemblies would obviously void the warranty of the vehicle, so make sure you choose responsibly. However, this is less about the ability to modify the look of your car, and more about showcasing the future of automotive lighting. Only a handful of first adopters will be able to appreciate the value of such systems.

For the rest of the customers, who draw the line somewhere across a broad spectrum of car lighting upgrades, there are lots of other options to pick from. Through the ORIGINAL, XENARC, and LEDriving range of products from the brand. Make sure you take a look at all the options available, before you make a choice. As, we already alluded to in the title before, what you decide in terms of headlight shape, size, and placement have a direct effect on the lighting performance.

Limited eyesight in the dark, and/or adverse weather conditions is one of the flaws that humanity has to live with. This is why the discovery of fire was such a vital tool in the survival of early man. As it made up for our natural deficiencies and gave us the necessary illumination to spot and avoid potential dangers.

These dangers get compounded when you are traveling at night, no matter what mode of transport you take. This is why, until the invention of electricity and modern incandescent headlights, traveling at night wasn’t something human beings even did. 

But now, with modern lighting solutions and reliable road infrastructure, these concerns have become a thing of the past. Now, people even prefer to travel at night, as it helps them avoid the daytime traffic snarl and get to their destinations faster.

So, the number of people traveling on highways and even general roads at night time have increased exponentially. Along with it, the chances of breakdowns and accidents have also risen. As people often drive more recklessly, when they perceive a lack of pedestrian traffic.

These combined forces can often lead to people getting stranded on the streets and highways at night time. Whether through their own misfortune, or the actions of other people on the road. In such emergency cases, the standard lighting setup of your car isn’t enough to help you assess the situation and take care of any potential injuries or repairs.

For these purposes, you need portable LED lights for car safety boxes. So, you can easily access a reliable source of illumination, if you are unfortunate enough to land yourself in such a situation. These portable LED lights can come in handy in all sorts of situations.

From basic punctures on the highway to more serious breakdowns in the engine department. Or even in the extreme case where you or a passenger is injured, and you need enough light to take care of any potential wounds. This is a common-sense solution that every person should carry with them when traveling anywhere. As your smartphone’s flash is simply not enough to handle truly dark and extreme weather conditions.

Aftermarket brands like OSRAM offer lots of options for these portable LED lights for cars. Which range from smaller handheld or wearable options to larger more industrial units for engine bay and surround lighting. Here, we will take a look at a few options that encompass most of the categories.

LEDinspect POCKET PRO400  

As the name suggests, this is a compact foldable light that can be used anywhere you go. It can stay in your backpack, or the glovebox, as the light folds over and tucks into the body to resemble a small torch. The main body is made from solid plastic, with additional groves that match the grip of a hand. It contains the battery as well as other components, except for the LED.

The LED light is fixed on a flexible yet solid base that folds up and down and can easily stop at any angle, up to 180°. The light itself can rotate 360° on its base, so you can easily get any required configuration for angled lighting. You can even mount it for hands-free operation.

Even with a single high-performance LED, you get 3 hours of 400 lumens output, delivered as a bright 6000K light, with another 4 hours needed for a full recharge. Which is expected to last at least the 2-year guarantee of operation given by the company.

Thanks to modern lithium battery technology, you can easily charge it up with any regular charger, or even your car charger. Thus, making it a versatile tool for any person’s emergency kit. Especially those that travel in cars at night.

LEDinspect UTILITY1000

This is a more straightforward design with a bigger, brighter LED setup. You don’t lose any of the flexibility though, as the model has a magnetic, 180° ratcheting base with a 360° rotating body. The base is a lot more compact compared to the previous model. With the main body now splitting the space between the light and the battery.

You get a really bright 6500K light, with 400 lumens as the base output. There is a high-performance mode as well, which increases the light up to 1000 lumens. This is good enough to deliver proper visibility in any sort of outdoor use, even in extreme weather conditions.

On the whole, the design and feel resemble that of a slim and sleek road flare, which it essentially is, along with being an extremely versatile and portable LED light for cars.

LEDinspect PRO BONNET 1400  

This is probably the biggest light you would need for any sort of portable lighting operation. It is literally a big LED tube suspended with a rotatable hook and extendable telescopic holder. So, you can easily hang it from your car’s hood or any wall or roof fixtures. This way, you get a large area light that can be hooked up to a regular power socket. You even get a 5-meter cable, for easy connectivity in all sorts of work areas.

The light itself is made up of 168 high-power LEDs, which deliver a combined output of up to 1400 lumens of extremely bright 7000K light. This is enough to light up all sorts of worksites and garages. With the additional flexibility of being able to move it to whatever corner of the room you need light in.

This recurring theme of portability is very vital for aftermarket lighting solutions. As people who drive and/or work at night around cars need much more than what fixed lights can provide. You can check out more aftermarket portable LED lights for cars, on the OSRAM website if you want. To see what else is available in this niche.

Over time, automotive technology has advanced enough, to where most people will never have to deal with a non-functioning headlight. Unless there has been an accident or a specific bulb failure, most halogen lights run stress-free for years on end.

But then, there are moments when these bulbs do fail, and you are faced with the question of what to replace them with. Most people take this question at face value and just go with the cheapest OEM replacement option available. But if you just take a moment, and look at all the options available in the aftermarket, it could really change the way you experience the world in the dark.

After all, aftermarket headlight bulbs are the safest way of upgrading the lighting system of your vehicle, without messing with the warranty. Depending on the brand and the model, you can get all types of benefits that exceed the OEM standard. Brands like OSRAM carry multiple series of bulbs like that, in both halogen and LED categories.

Here we are taking a look at a few of the options that you can pick from when faced with a similar decision.

ORIGINAL LINE

This is the most basic form of stock replacement bulb available on the market. It is a standard halogen bulb that matches all the specifications in terms of performance and lifespan. The ORIGINAL series from OSRAM contains over 20 individual models, ranging from 25W to 75W. Each SKU caters to a specific ECE category of stock lights and offers a reliable lighting experience for the expected lifespan.

ULTRA LIFE LINE

These are also stock replacement bulbs, with similar performance to the Original line. What separates them from the rest, as the name suggests, is the lifespan of these bulbs. Which can go as high as 100,000kms, or up to 4 years, whichever comes first. And that is just the guarantee that the company places on the bulb. Even if we rely on these base figures, that is still four times the lifespan of the average stock halogen. So, you can get the most out of your investment, without changing the performance aspect.

COOL BLUE BOOST

This one steps away from the stock replacement category and goes into the aftermarket. With a specialized halogen bulb that delivers an LED like 5500K bright light. Since it is still a halogen, it takes between 75-80W to get the job done, but that doesn’t matter when you get better performance and a brighter throw. Just make sure you won’t void your warranty first since these aren’t ECE certified.

NIGHT BREAKER 200

This is the closest we can come to LED light through halogen technology. You can get up to 200% more usable light than standard halogen bulbs, with a 20% white light output than stock. This does come at the expense of the throw, which is limited to 150 meters. This may be good enough for halogen, but falls really short for actual LEDs, which can go as far as 300 meters. Still, these make for good stock replacement options for H4 and H7 bulbs.

NIGHT BREAKER LED

While others were just stock replacement options with a couple of tweaks, this is the true manifestation of aftermarket technology. The Night Breaker series is the first street-legal LED range from the brand, which offers an exceptional upgrade to any lighting setup. You get a 6000K bright light, that is 230% brighter than halogens while producing 50% less glare as well. In addition, you also get a longer return from your investment, since the average lifespan of these LEDs is 5 times that of a standard halogen. This is even longer than the Ultra Life line of halogens that we highlighted above. Thus, making it a solid upgrade for the long term.

Of course, there is also the LEDriving HL and XTR series to consider, but we have already covered them in detail in other blogs, which you can go through later. For now, think of this as a small taste, of the different categories you can pick from when you start thinking about stock replacement LEDs vs aftermarket upgrades. 

LED lightbars have become one of the most ubiquitous car accessories in the market today. Initially it was a niche segment that provided aftermarket lighting solutions for off-road enthusiasts. But, has now become a common add-on to regular vehicles, running on regular highways and streets. Moreover, with millions of people adopting crossovers and SUVs as their primary vehicle, it doesn’t seem this acceptance is going away anytime soon.

Mostly because lightbars offer a great value proposition when it comes to providing usable light in a compact, yet rugged and reliable package. These modern LED lightbars are the successor to the iconic array of off-road lamps that rally racers often featured on their vehicles. Whether in a small cluster on the bumpers, or a big one of the roof.

Those lights, while being pretty big and power hungry, were still not as capable as modern LED lightbars are. Due to the limitations of halogen technology. With modern LED lightbars, we don’t have to worry about energy expense or heat management. Since LEDs bypass all those thermal losses in efficiency, by going straight to electroluminescence.

So, now, you can get away with having a smaller housing for the LED. Which also produces less heat and uses less energy. The smaller size also gives it excellent stackability, so can have a multi LED array, to deliver a wider and more focused lightstage.

Brands like OSRAM have been offering LED lightbars for cars as an aftermarket solution for years now. Which include smaller sleeker units for the bumper region, as well as larger units for the roof. You can even pick between different series of LED lightbars, that focus on different kind of lighting applications, from soft off-roading, to rally, and even industrial and agricultural.

Yet, even the biggest, most expensive model barely crosses the 100W mark in terms of energy consumption. Compared to previous-gen halogen technology, where just a single off-road lamp often consumed more than that. So, you can understand the magnitude of energy savings you get by switching to LED lightbars for cars. 

Depending on your specific model and use case, you can pick any of the following options for your own vehicles. With each one offering a different lighting experience that highlights its particular category. Of course, there are other models as well that you can look at in OSRAM’s large collection. Consider this list as an introduction to the variety you can get.

LEDriving Lightbar SX180-SP

This is the smallest member of OSRAM’s lightbar collection, with just 6 high performance LED’s. Yet, even with just 6 LEDs, this lightbar can produce up to 190 meters of powerful throw, in even the most extreme weather conditions. This translates to up to 1300lm luminous flux of bright 6000K light using just 15W of power.

The whole setup is encased in a tough plastic body and hard-wearing polycarbonate lens. The body also features an integrated driver and thermal management system that prevents possible damage from overheating. As well as delivers over and under voltage protection.

The insulation and rugged materials help it survive and function in all sorts of extreme weather conditions. From cold weather conditions as low as -30 degrees, to hot summer temperatures that may go as high as 60 degrees Celsius. You even get sturdy metal hooks that absorb all sorts of vibrations from the car body, while holding the light securely in place.

This is the standard for the smallest unit of the most basic series of LED lightbars for cars offered by aftermarket brands like OSRAM. So, you can understand why they may be so popular, even amongst regular car users. The fact that you can even get a separate wire harness for easy installation only eases the barrier of entry.

LEDriving Lightbar VX500-SP

While there are other models in the SX series from OSRAM, like the SX300 and SX500, they would still offer a similar experience to the model mentioned above. So, for a bigger upgrade, we decided to focus on the VX series instead, with a bigger rooftop LED lightbar for car. This is a much wider LED lightbar, with 18 high-powered LEDs this time.

With the extra lights, the luminosity jumps to 2800lm, with the actual visibility jumping exponentially to over 415 meters. This kind of bright 6000K lighting output with just 54W of energy consumption, really showcases the benefits of upgrading to LED technology.

At the same time, the upgrade to the VX series from OSRAM also brings an upgrade to the entire housing as well. Which now features an IP67 protection rating, and has been properly tested in an international DIN lab for resistance to vibrations, shocks, water, dust, and even extreme hot and cold weather.

The fact that you get all this performance and reliability, along with an ECE certification and 5000 hours of expected lifespan, is truly a testament to the value that these lightbars offer to aftermarket customers. This is why they are so popular, and why we recommend them for all sorts of customers across vehicle segments.

Once you start looking, you will find lots of models in the SX, VX, and even FX series. There are even some classic spotlight styled models in the series mentioned above, but we didn’t feel right including them on a feature talking about lightbars. If you want to take a look and them, and other models , visit the OSRAM website to see what they have to offer under their LEDriving range.

Off-road driving is some of the most exhilarating as well as technically challenging forms of automotive entertainment. People love the unpredictability of the sport, and the rough and tumble nature of the terrain. Not only are you not constrained by the length or width of the tarmac. You can also introduce new twists and turns to the course, whenever you feel like it. Just by terraforming the earth to create the track of your dreams.

Just like you change the surface, the surface changes itself as well. As more and more cars drive over a track, the mud, dirt, and gravel shift beneath the tires. Constantly creating new levels of elevation to track, and hurdles to cross. This makes each lap a new challenge, which is what makes the whole experience so fun.

However, with such high levels of unpredictability, constant bumps and jumps, and general wear and tear that car parts go under such duress. It’s only expected that cars end up breaking down time and again, thus requiring emergency repairs out in the wild. This is why off-road vehicles are often outfitted with extra gear, and few general spare parts to help make these repairs fast and as trouble-free as possible.

One such set of tools is the inspection lights that off-road drivers must carry with them. Just in case the car breaks down in less than optimal lighting conditions. These inspection lights can not only guide you through your repairs by boosting your visibility of the vehicle itself. They can also serve as an ambient safety light, just in case you are in a region with predatory wildlife.

This is why it is vital that you have a set of off-road-specific LED inspection lights. That have been specifically designed to survive and work in such rough conditions. Brands like OSRAM have multiple offerings in this category. With a range of LED lights for emergency use on regular highways. As well as a whole range of extra rugged off-road LED inspection lights. They can also be housed in commercial garage applications, due to their superior build quality.

Here is the basic kit that we would suggest you carry in your vehicle. For whatever off-road adventures you might want to embark upon. Each light offers incredible value in its segment. Both in terms of usable light, as well as longevity and value for money. Let us start with the most portable and versatile option.

LEDinspect Fast Charge PRO500

This is a sleek and compact inspection light that you can easily carry in your glove box or backpack. It is comparable to an oversized remote, with a tough plastic exterior, which comes with a non-slip and dirt-repellent coating. The design includes an in-built stand and hook at the base. The base itself is magnetic, so you can easily attach it to your vehicle in a number of configurations. For a completely hands-free operation.

When you do want to take it in your own hands, you can easily do so. Thanks to pronounced plastic grips on both sides of the stand. Which easily locks into position, to completely blend in with the overall package. This is done intentionally because the light is supposed to pass the weather sealing requirements for an IP65 certification. For protection against dust and water ingress. It is also IK08 rated for impact resistance, as bumps and shocks are the expected norm in off-road conditions.

This is why the lights also feature special housings, which sit flush with the general surface. The lights themselves are snugly embedded within the body. The main inspection light is located on the side. It features a strong throw of up to 500 lumens. The area covered is pretty wide for such a small light, thanks to a multi-angle light output design. You can use it to quickly check any part of your vehicle in any weather condition.

In addition, you also get a 100 lumens torchlight, located at the top of the inspection light. Both lights share a rechargeable battery, which you can monitor through an integrated battery indicator. For charging, the light uses a USB-C charging cable, so you can easily charge it with your smartphone or car charger. Thanks to its fast-charging capability, you will be able to get the light charged from 0-100% in just an hour. While still maintaining long battery life.

This is what makes the LEDinspect Fast Charge PRO500 such a good option for an LED inspection light for off-road safety. The company itself believes in this claim, which is why they offer a 2-year guarantee on the product.

LEDinspect Flood 20W

Sometimes a compact inspection light is not enough to get you up and running in an off-road breakage incident. There are often cases, where breakdowns in the tires or suspension setup cause off-road drivers to take longer mechanical intervals than necessary. In such conditions, you need a more robust lighting solution, which can light up the overall problem area. While giving you enough visibility to carry out the repairs.

In such conditions, you would be well served with OSRAM’s LEDinspect Floor 20W light. As the name suggests, this is a rugged floodlight, which comes with 44 integrated LEDs. The combined output is 20Wof bright and focused 6000K light which is enough to illuminate the whole engine bay and more. You can set it on high, low, or flashing mode, to suit different use cases.

The light is tucked in the middle of the touch plastic body. Which also houses the rechargeable 11.1V 2000mAh lithium battery that powers it. Both components are properly insulated to achieve the IP protection class IP54, as well as IK06 certifications. Which is rated to protect against the ingress of dust particles as well as splashed water. The body itself has a non-slip and dirt-repellent coating, for safe use in less than ideal conditions.

There is an integrated stand that angles itself for hands-free access. It also features magnets for easy attachability to the vehicle. This way, you can simply stick it to the roof and use it as an area safety light. An additional bonus is the inclusion of 2 USB ports on the light. Which can serve as a power bank for other devices as well. Making this light, a multi-functional must-have tool in your gear kit.

Even if you simply use it as the floodlight it is. You can still get a decent operating time of up to 5 hours at high mode, 10 hours at low mode, and 20 hours when set to flash. Even with sustained use, you can expect at least 2 years of hassle-free use thanks to the company warranty.

LEDinspect Pro Space 1000

In off-road conditions, the area light can sometimes be even more vital than the smaller inspection lights. As you need to maintain constant visibility in places where the terrain and wildlife are unpredictable. In these cases, just one or two compact inspection lights won’t do the trick. While you can rely on the floodlights attached to your car itself. It still is a less than ideal solution, as it is a constant drain on the car batteries.

In these cases, you need a proper area light, which can illuminate not just you and the car. But the entire surroundings as well. They also serve as great beacon lights, just in case you get really stuck in a bad situation. OSRAM’s LEDinspect Pro Space 1000 is one such offering. Which comes with a rugged multi-light setup that is both flexible and portable.

The lights are divided into three sections. With one main light featuring 36 individual LEDs that is attached to a removable handle and base, on the top and bottom respectively. It offers a highly-focused beam of 6000K light that lights up the area ahead. You also get two smaller sidelights with 12 LEDs each that attach to the removable handle. These lights can be rotated and swiveled easily to match your area lighting needs.

This combination offers a multi-directional and multi-variable lighting system. That can be configured according to your needs. As each component can be removed easily. All the lights are housed in tough insulated bodies, which feature anti-slip and dust-repellent coatings. That helps in making the lights IP44 and IK06 rated for protection against dust, dirt, and impacts. Thus, making the whole setup both modular and rugged.

The portability aspect comes with the addition of two different rechargeable batteries. A 3.7V 3600mAh one for the main light, and a 3.7V 1800mAh battery for the sidelight. These batteries are enough to power the lights for up to 4 hours on high, 10 hours on low, and 12 hours on flashing mode. That is more than enough time for you to figure out a way out of said emergency.

Just like the other products, the company has given a 2-year warranty with the product. As a testament to the build quality of their LED inspection lights for off-road safety. Just having these three lights will be enough to get you out of any trouble you may find yourself, out on your off-road adventures.

In the past decade, SUVs and crossovers have become incredibly popular all over the world. Even people who have no intention of ever going off-road, are buying these large vehicles, just to feel safe on the roads. As a result, these off-road-ready vehicles are getting more luxurious and road-friendly, and less off-road-y.

Models and brands that made their names off of the back of hard-won accolades in extreme off-road events are now used to day-to-day commuting and grocery runs. So, even car manufacturers don’t feel the need to design their vehicles for extreme off-roading anymore. As a result, most modern SUVs aren’t nearly as capable as their previous generation avatars.

The same effect can be felt in the aftermarket accessories segment as well. With customers investing more money in the look and aesthetic of the vehicle, rather than any actual off-road modifications. Since they don’t need the same level of performance, even the aesthetic elements like aftermarket lights have started to go down a different path.

With entire categories of lighting products popping up that are a lot slimmer, smaller, and blend in more easily with the overall aesthetic of the car. While also being more efficient, and featuring a relatively lesser light output, so as to not blind the oncoming traffic.

All these changes are important, and welcome, as far as regular driving is concerned. As, that level of lighting performance is enough to handle most driving conditions. But there is still a group of hardcore off-road enthusiasts, who aren’t satisfied with just the status quo. 

These are the people who don’t like this new generation of soft-roaders and the dilution of the 4×4 tradition. Who still prefer to modify their cars for extreme off-roading, and actually take them off-road on a regular basis. Who would rather create their own custom lighting rig, than rely on any single off-the-shelf lightbar. 

It is for this crowd, that brands like OSRAM have created a whole range of individual lighting products. Which can be mixed and matched together, to create modular LED lighting for cars. 

Of course, there is a whole range of lightbars from OSRAM that you can also use in this project. But, for this article, we will only focus on the individual lights. As they offer a more traditional look and feel, resembling the old-school rally race cars that initially made these rigs popular. Here are a few options that you can start with.

LEDriving Round MX180-CB

This is the smallest light you can get in the modular spotlight range. It features 12 high-power LEDs inside a single enclosure, made from aluminum housing and a polycarbonate lens. The design resembles that of a spotlight. Which comes with a separate base plate and mount that you can fit on your bumper or roof.

You can’t swivel the spotlight to get the perfect angle on the road ahead, so make sure you calibrate the beam before you fix it in place. The beam is made up of a bright 6000K light, which lights up an area of up to 300 meters ahead on the road. It fires ahead in a combo beam design, which is made for both far-field and near-field illumination.

The 12 LEDs combine to deliver a combined output of up to 3000 lumens, which is a lot for a single modular LED light, considering our plan of having multiple units stacked in an array. You get all the wiring and nuts and bolts required to mount the light easily. Which makes it even easier to do a self-install.

LEDriving Round MX260-CB

If you can’t compromise on adjustability and need even more visibility, then you can always upgrade to this unit. Which features a more elaborate mount, and 16 high-power LEDs inside a similar size body. The increased number of LEDs also increases the throw to 350 meters and the combined light output to 3500 lumens.

The new mount adds an up and down swivel functionality to the design, which can be used to further modify the light throw of the array. Other than that, there isn’t much difference between the two models. With both featuring an IP69K rating that was tested in DIN certified environmental simulation laboratories for extreme external influences regarding water, dust, impacts, heat, cold and permanent vibration.

Both models are also ECE certified, which is a big validation for any aftermarket product. With over 5000 hours of expected lifespan in all types of usage conditions. This alone makes them a wise investment for your lighting rig. You can combine any number of these LED lights, with any of OSRAMs LED lightbars, and create your own modular LED lighting. Take a look at our blog about LED lightbars for cars, to know what to expect from these products.

When it comes to driving and road safety, car lights play a vital role. This is why governments across the world have made it a legal requirement. For modern cars to have multiple lighting systems that serve individual purposes. From general illumination, to turn signal indication, and even emergency response. We as drivers have also become accustomed to relying on these visual cues. As an early-warning system to avoid accidents on the road.

The great thing about these car lights is that in 90% of cases, they are just a preventative measure. That gives you enough illumination to avoid road hazards. You go from point A to B and then forget about them. But, for the 10% of cases where you actually get into an accident. Regardless of whether or not it was your fault. These lighting systems can suddenly seem a bit inadequate. Since, short of the hazard light blinkers, there is no in-built way in a car to help give you a safety buffer against oncoming traffic, at night time. If you happen to break down in the middle of the road.

In these cases, you need special emergency lights that have been designed to be disruptive and extremely visible. So that oncoming cars can recognize the wreck from some distance away. Giving them ample reaction time to slow down, and make necessary evasive maneuvers. In addition to being visually disruptive, these emergency lights also need to be powerful enough. That you can maintain usable visibility for rescue crews. Even without any other sources of lighting available nearby.

Thankfully, even though emergency lights aren’t included in the standard kit for most cars these days. There are lots of options for aftermarket LED lights for emergency use. That you can get from reputed brands like OSRAM, to supplement your personal emergency kit. Let us take a look at a few of the options available. That will fit your particular needs and budget. While also helping you maintain visibility in all sorts of terrain and weather conditions.

LEDinspect Headlamp 300

One of the things that we always recommend to drivers is a good headlamp. When you are in a wreck and/or breakdown. The most important thing is to have a constant source of illumination for your own eyes. Which you can use to access the situation, while also maintaining personal safety. For the longest time, people relied on general flashlights to make this happen. In modern times, people just stick to the light produced by the flash of their smartphones.

While this may seem like a viable solution for the short term. It is still a single point of failure that can cause problems at any time. Not to mention that without a specific mounting position, these solutions also take away the use of one hand. Which can be a matter of life and death in emergency situations.

Therefore, you must always carry a proper headlamp that can give you hands-free illumination in all sorts of emergency situations. Whether it is a multi-car pileup on the highway or just a flat tire in the countryside. OSRAM has specifically designed a headlamp for these scenarios. Called the LEDinspect Headlamp 300.

It comes equipped with a durable 3W long-lasting LED light. That is fixed to a size adjustable headband made of tear-resistance fabric. The LED produces a bright white light that ranges in the 6500-7500K temperature range. For the best possible visibility in any lighting condition. This translates to a luminous flux of up to 300 lumens when operating at 100 % brightness.

There is also a low-intensity mode that lowers the brightness to just 60 lumens, or 20% brightness. In order to preserve battery life, for emergency cases where you need hours of usable light. Since the light is literally strapped to your head. You can even adjust the beam angle, up to 75%, for the best visibility for yourself. Or just push it up and out of your eyesight, and let the system run on a special flash mode that alerts oncoming cars to your position. If you have to resort to walking down the road for help.

To give you the same level of safety in both front and back, the headlamp also comes with a separate rear light. Which also flashes constantly, with a luminous flux of up to 300 lumens. The only difference is that the rear light is red in color, and can only go up to a 1000-2000K color temperature. Since you don’t need as much light behind your back, as you need upfront.

Both these lights run off of the integrated battery system. Which is powered by 3 AA dry batteries for universal reliability. With fully charged batteries, the system can run both lights at 100% brightness for up to 2-3 hours. If you reduce the front light to 20% brightness, this time limit can go up to as much as 10 hours. You even get a separate switch to shift between on/off and flash mode, for easy access.

That is the only thing accessible about the lights though. As they come with a special protective housing that helps keep them working even in adverse conditions. The light controller, battery, and rear light are integrated into a single housing that sits at the back of your head. While the front light has its own shock-resistant mount.

Both component cases are rated at IP64 for weather protection and IK07 for impact resistance. So, you don’t have to worry about dropping them either. Unlike a traditional flashlight, or your phone. The company is confident enough in this protection that they offer a 2-year guarantee on the product. Which makes it a no-brainer choice for most people out there.

LEDguardian Road Flare

One of the things that is true for any sort of emergency situation, is that you can never have enough light. Especially at night or in extreme weather conditions. When the difference between a few lumens can make up the difference between life and death. This is why we always recommend having a backup option, even when it comes to LED lights for emergency use.

While headlamps can give you enough light to inspect your immediate surroundings. They don’t have enough light to cover the entire area around your and your car. Since the product is specifically designed for individual use. In such situations, it is helpful if you have a proper road flare that can help light up the surroundings properly. Something that is more reliable than the traditional chemical-based flares. While also having the ability to be reused whenever needed, without replacement with each use.

The LEDguardian ROAD FLARE from OSRAM is one such offering. It is a compact LED warning system that is perfect for emergency situations on the road. It has been specifically designed with hazardous conditions in mind. This is why it comes with a super tough housing that is not just dirt-resistant. But can also withstand being run over by a car. The housing is shaped like a hockey puck, with multiple spokes of high-quality plastic wrapped around the surface for optimal protection.

There are special gaps between each plastic spoke, which house multiple LED lights that wrap around the surface for 360°-degree illumination. There are even bigger lights in the center housing on both sides. Completing a full array of 16 long-lasting LEDs that can be used individually or together. You get three modes of operation: flashing, permanently on, or torch mode. Each of which uses individual LEDs in a specific pattern for the best possible lighting.

There is even a passive warning system, which switches the white light to orange. So, the system can act as a hazard flare for long hours, without consuming too much energy. The flare comes with a special metal clip, which can be used to hang it from your waist, or any hook available on the car. You can even throw it on the roof of your vehicle, and its anti-slip texture will help keep it in place until help arrives.

As you can see, it is a pretty versatile system, that can deliver long-lasting use. With the help of 3 AAA dry batteries, which are also included with the package. Making it a must-have LED light for emergency use.

LEDguardian Road Flare Signal V16

Up until now, we have only covered scenarios where you need to get out of your vehicle to inspect any possible damage to your vehicle, in emergency situations. But what happens when the emergency is too severe to be handled by any one person alone. And you need to stay with the vehicle until help arrives. What if the wreck happens on a busy highway, and you don’t even have the option to drag the vehicle to the side of the road?

These are some of the most dangerous situations that you can find yourself in. As the chances of a car coming at high-speed, rear-ending your already damaged vehicle are pretty high in these conditions. This is something that contributes to dozens of multiple-car pileups all over the world. Leading to loss of life and property that could easily be avoided with a proper collision warning system. Designed specifically for such extreme use cases.

We are talking about systems like the LEDguardian Road Flare Signal V16 from OSRAM. Which are so much more reliable in emergency situations. When compared to traditional emergency equipment, like your hazard lights or a warning triangle with some reflective tape.

As the name suggests, the LEDguarding Road Flare is a warning light that has been approved for road-use, in accordance with the V16 regulations enacted by the EU. Which makes it a world-class warning light that has been tested and validated to match the DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 certification as well. These tests are conducted in a certified environmental simulation laboratory. For extreme external influences in terms of water, dust, heat, cold, and impacts from falls.

All this to say that this road flare can work in any weather conditions. With a guarantee of 2 years offered by the company itself. The system itself is pretty simple. The road flare has been designed like a light beacon, which features 12 high-power LEDs. They offer a combined output of up to 140 lumens, at 2000k color temperature. Since it is an emergency system, the lights are placed in a yellow-orange housing which offers 360°-degree rotation for better visibility.

The base is magnetic, so you can easily attach it to the roof of any vehicle. It also features the battery housing for the light, which uses a 9V battery that is included with the package. There are more expensive models that also offer the option for external charging. But we are sticking to this one only. As it offers a more hassle-free experience, which doesn’t require a power socket to function. You certainly don’t need other options, as this single battery alone is enough to light up the beacon for up to 12 hours non-stop. Thus, making it a perfect LED light for emergency use of any sort.

With these individual systems, you get lots of options to ensure that your driving experience remains safe and free from accidents. Even if the car itself breaks down. These become especially invaluable in places where rain and fog are a regular occurrence. As these are the conditions when traditional car lights are at their weakest. So, we would certainly recommend that you have at least one, if not all three of these options in your emergency kit, just in case you might need them.

LED lights are the preferred lighting solution for most modern vehicles. Automobile manufacturers have easily accepted the value of integrating LED lights into their existing setups. In order to augment the performance as well as efficiency of car headlamps.

However, this isn’t the first application that comes to mind when we talk about LED lights in cars. In fact, this shift to LED headlamps only happened recently, at least on the OEM side.

So, it isn’t even the most widespread use of LED technology in vehicles. A more popular, and far older use of LEDs in cars comes in the form of interior lighting.

We are of course talking about the lights that often found inside the console panel, or under the dashboard and car seats. Those kinds of programmable LED lights have been around for quite some time.

They were first made popular by the tuner sub-culture, before gaining mainstream popularity through video games like Need For Speed, and movies like Fast and Furious.

The reason behind the early adoption of this LED tech was the size and efficiency of the LED strips. Which made it possible for the first time, to integrate LED lights into small spaces both in and outside the vehicle.

At the same time, these modules were also a lot cheaper than proper LED headlights. As they don’t produce nearly as much light as a proper LED headlamp. So, you don’t need the same quality of LEDs to deliver the results needed. 

Add to this, the bonus of being able to control the color of the LED light with a remote control. Meant that you could have a different experience of ownership each day. Just by changing the color of the interior/exterior components.

This made these LED lights the perfect way for updating the aesthetic of your vehicle. Without making any permanent changes to the vehicle. In fact, when turned off, these LEDs easily blend in with the interior of the vehicle.

So, you don’t need to worry about losing your warranty or getting fined. As long as you switch them off when not needed. These benefits, when combined, made for a compelling case for the use of integrated LED lights in vehicles. 

So much so, that a lot of car brands has started offering integrated LEDs as an option straight from the factory. With some modern models even featuring separate color profiles that work across the dashboard layout as well as the interior inserts.

Once again, you don’t need to rely solely on the car makers to offer these options. As they are often bundled into expensive feature packages that are certainly not worth the amount they charge.

Brands like OSRAM offer OEM quality yet cheaper alternatives in this field. With their special range of LEDambient light solutions. That are made from high-quality materials and come with the assurance of a proper 2-year warranty.

The most well-known option in this segment is the LEDambient TUNING LIGHTS CONNECT. This is the name of the programmable LED strips that are sold by the brand.

Each strip contains dozens of small LED lights that can be controlled via your smartphone and/or a remote. They sit on a flexible strip that can be fixed to almost any surface using double-sided tape or other adhesives

This means they can be easily used to light up any number of spaces inside and outside the vehicle. Including but not limited to under the seats, under the car, under the dashboard, inside the dashboard, inside the wheels, inside the trunk, or even inside the bonnet.

Thus, offering you complete control over the aesthetic of your vehicle. The great thing about this product is that it even comes with a special splitter to help divide the lighting into different zones. Which can all be controlled via the app.

The smart control unit that enables these Bluetooth-based color changes. Can also be used to sync the lights with the music you are listening to inside the vehicle. So, you get a live-disco feel wherever you are.

The same can be done with other products from the LEDambient lineup. Which include headlamp products like the LEDambient PULSE CONNECT. As well as fog lamp products like LEDambient HYBRID CONNECT.

All these units can either be synced together, or individually, to get the best look possible. Although, it is only the HYBRID CONNECT model that actually requires you to disassemble the fog light housing before you can enable it’s plug-and-play connectivity.

If changing colors isn’t your thing, you can opt for the simpler LEDambient INTERIOR STRIP KIT. It is a more standardized offering, with each kit coming with a 1.5m long strip that houses 90 LEDs. You can only get a 4500K white light with this setup. But it does bypass the complexity of adding a special control unit.

No matter which option you pick, you will always get the best possible performance, with unmatched efficiency. So much so, that you can use a standard 12V wire to power them all.

Which can either be connected to a in-car charger for interior lighting. Or even sent directly to the battery terminals, to free up your 12V sockets within.

One thing to keep in mind is that even with all these benefits, and a proper 2-year warranty. Most of these products are still not ECE-certified. So, make sure you think hard before potentially voiding the warranty of your vehicle.

This shouldn’t be an issue for the majority of customers. Who will be using these LEDs to augment their older vehicles for better aesthetics.

The great thing is that no matter what kind of vehicle you need these lights for. You can easily install them with basic tools and no need for a mechanic.

Therefore, making them the best first DIY project you can undertake when updating your older vehicle to modern standards. At the same time, if this is truly your first time doing anything to the lighting system of your vehicle. We do suggest consulting your regular mechanic for any advice they might offer in ensuring that the installation process goes smoothly.

Car lighting systems have evolved a lot over the years. We went from using literal oil lamps just a century ago, to now using lasers and LEDs to light up the roads.

With each iteration of the headlight, the efficiency and longevity of the light used have gone up. In some cases, this was simply caused by changing the design of the housing. While in others, it took drastic changes to the process that produces the light itself.

However, even though headlights have gone through more than 4 generations of change. The actual process of how they work is still pretty much the same. We have covered the same in our article about the different types of headlights.

In most cases, it is a chemical process that produces visible light as a byproduct. Even with modern LEDs that have taken the chemical process out of the equation. The basic principles of the headlight housing and how it lights up the road remain the same.

So, let us take a closer look at how do car headlights actually work, and how the process has evolved over time.

Headlight Components

When we talk about headlights, we aren’t just talking about the bulb itself. There are multiple components that make up the entire headlight assembly. Each of these plays a vital role in ensuring that the headlight works properly.

1. Headlight Housing: This is the most obvious part of the headlight assembly, i.e the lamp box itself. These boxes feature transparent housing in the front. Which attaches to the sturdy plastic backing that actually mounts to the vehicle.

In older vehicles, the front often featured actual glass covers. While most modern vehicles feature a special kind of transparent plastic. These lamp boxes house all components of the headlight, including the gaseous ones. And are usually designed to match the look and aesthetic of the vehicle.

When it comes to upgrading lighting systems, there are plenty of aftermarket components. That helps upgrade these housings to support retrofit LEDs. However, some brands like OSRAM go as far as creating entirely new lamp boxes from scratch. For popular models from well-known brands like VW, BMW, and even Ford.

2. Reflectors: On the inside, these lamp boxes also feature reflectors that help focus the light. In older models, these reflectors are often one single unit. While in modern vehicles they use a bunch of different pieces set at specific focal lengths.

If we go into the ultra-luxury segment, we can also see the use of special mechanisms. Which can even rotate these reflectors to direct the beam in sync with the direction of the car.

In some models, these reflectors are further augmented by the use of projector lenses. Which can be set both before or after the bulb. Based on the type of headlight in question. They help focus and magnify the light further, and often work in sync with directional beam systems.

All these different types of housings serve the same function. Of keeping the light protected from the elements of nature. While also focusing and spreading the light beams for optimal visibility. In older models, they even helped maintain the vacuum needed to house the inert gases.

One downside of those older sealed beam systems was that with each breakage the entire assembly had to be replaced. Since the filament got burned out as soon as it made contact with outside air. Today, you just need to change the bulb itself.

3. Headlight Bulb: The bulb is probably the one part of the headlight assembly that has gone through the most changes. In early models, the bulb used to comprise the entire headlamp. With the glass housing holding inert gas inside a vacuum seal.

The tungsten filament got heated to produce light and warmth as a result. One disadvantage of this kind of system was that it used to take a bit of time to hit peak brightness. Moreover, you consumed a lot of energy, since a large portion of it used to be simply wasted in the form of heat.

Over time the filament was gradually upgraded to feature both a high beam and low beam system in one bulb. Before this change, you actually needed two separate headlights on each side.

Modern halogen bulbs don’t need vacuum-sealed housing, as they house the gases they need within. The filament used is also better, since it doesn’t blacken the inside of the housing over time. This change to halogen also removed the problem of having to wait for the headlights to warm up. As of now, you can get peak brightness right from the start, without any flickering either.

You can find lots of options for high-performance halogen bulbs from a bunch of aftermarket manufacturers, like OSRAM, Phillips, and others.

HID bulbs add to this process by including special metal flakes that burn far brighter. While modern laser lights choose to replace the filament instead, with actual lasers.

All of these systems use the same principle of chemiluminescence to produce light. This has been one constant in the past 100 years of headlight usage.

With the only disruptive technology being modern LEDs. Which instead rely on direct electroluminescence. By replacing the filament and gases, with a light-emitting diode.

4. Off-road Headlight Assembly: In off-road conditions, you need more usable light than what your standard car headlights can provide. So, aftermarket manufacturers like OSRAM often create off-road external lights. Which feature special off-road headlight assemblies for sturdier build quality.

These assemblies are specially dampened against various vibrations and shocks. While also being properly weatherproofed against rain, snow, and even hail. They even come with special mounts that can be fit on the bumper, roof, or other parts of the vehicle. To create a more comprehensive lighting setup.

Each of these components plays a vital part in ensuring that the headlight works properly. You can replace one or all of them to get a better aftermarket lighting experience.

Even car companies recognize the value of these upgrades. This is why we often see modern vehicles feature multiple lighting systems. Including LED DRL’s, and LED fog lights.

This was an overview of how headlights work. And all the different purposes individual components serve. Understanding this process will help you decide how you can upgrade your car. For a better lighting experience. We suggest taking a look at all the options before making up your mind. As we have proven, headlights are more than just bulbs.