Do LED bulbs work in reflector housings?

To put it simply, yes. LEDs can be used in reflector headlights BUT (and it’s a big but) if you’re upgrading the bulb, you also need to upgrade the reflector bowl. Unlike halogens, an LED will not illuminate the reflector surface evenly.

Do LED lights need projectors?

LEDs are a brighter, more efficient alternative to HID and halogen bulbs in vehicle headlights. But LED bulbs can only be used in projector headlights and continue to be unsafe to use in reflector headlights. Vehicle headlights have certainly come a long way since traditional tungsten filament lamps.

Are LED headlights illegal in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts like in many other states red and blue LEDs are frowned upon and only authorized on emergency vehicles and such. At least 2 headlights and 2 tail lights are required. Hazard lights must be used when the vehicle is disabled.

Do aftermarket LED headlights get hot?

While the LED light source itself doesn’t get hot, there is a lot of heat that is dispersed to the emitter. You will likely need other components to control this heat which obviously means more expense. However, the good thing is that over the years, LED light for cars costs have gone down.

Do you need different bulbs for projector headlights?

Projector headlights give off a more even light. Reflector headlights can have darker spots. Xenon HID bulbs can only be used with projector headlights. HID bulbs are too bright when used in reflector headlights, where the light they emit can blind other drivers.

Can LED headlights be used to replace halogen headlights?

LED headlight bulbs tend to last much longer than halogen and HID bulbs, which also make them very cost effective and convenient for the vehicle owner. Most importantly, many LED headlight bulbs can be used to replace halogen headlights if you’re looking for a brighter, longer-lasting light.

Are LED headlights legal in my car?

LED bulbs are now much more common in cars, including brake lights, fog lights, and interior lights. LED headlights are increasing in popularity, too. However, the legality of these bulbs can be questionable. The general rule is if you have a halogen bulb currently installed and you want to upgrade to LED, it won’t be road legal.

Are LED headlight bulbs a good idea?

LEDs, when housed and aimed correctly, can translate minimal input power into a lot of light, which is what makes the technology appealing in general. Everything else being equal, it seems like swapping power-hungry incandescent headlight bulbs for brighter lower-draw LEDs would be an upgrade on two fronts.

Can you direct-swap LED headlight bulbs?

Fast forward to 2015, at which point the accessibility of LED tech had expanded further. By then, several companies were selling LED headlight bulb replacements that you could direct-swap from halogen bulbs in a bunch of standard sizes.