What’s the Deal with HID / Xenon Car Lights?
If you’re thinking about stepping up your car’s headlights, you can’t go past HID (High-Intensity Discharge) lights, also called xenon lights. They’re a whole lot brighter and whiter than the stock halogen bulbs most cars come with. Makes a massive difference when you’re cruising down Te Rapa Road on a rainy night, or hitting those back roads near Cambridge with all the fog rolling in.
HID lights don’t just make it easier for you to see those sneaky potholes around Nawton or the speed bumps near Melville – they also help other drivers spot you coming. Actually, a few of the team here fitted HIDs for a woman with a 2011 Volvo XC60 last winter – she reckoned her usual trip from Ngaruawahia felt way safer after dark with proper lighting. Plus, HID lights go easier on your battery and will usually last longer, so you’re not shelling out for bulbs every other WOF.
Bit of technical stuff for ya: the bright light from HIDs comes from a mix of xenon gas and vaporised salts, sparked up by a high-voltage ballast. That’s why folks call ‘em xenon lights. We’ve fitted them to everything from Mazda Atenzas to the odd Lexus RX hybrid, and heaps of late-model Euros and Asian cars coming from Auckland auctions turn up with factory HIDs as well.
Why Aren’t My HID Lights Working?
We get all sorts of lighting dramas rolling in, especially after harsh winters or those brutal dry spells. Here’s what usually causes HID lights to pack a sad:
- Old bulbs – They fade over time, hard to spot if it happens slowly
- Knackered fuses
- Wiring issues, especially after a small prang or suspension jolt (happens plenty on Avalon Drive’s rough patches)
- Low battery or alternator trouble, making lights dimmer than they should be
If your lights are dodgy, best not to muck around. Besides making driving less safe, it could fail your WOF check.
How Long Do HID/Xenon Bulbs Last?
Good news – HID bulbs stick it out way longer than halogens. Still, nothing lasts forever. On average, you’ll get about 2,000 hours out of an HID before it starts going dim or gives up completely. If you notice your headlights looking yellow and weak on a late drive back from Morrinsville, it’s probably time to swap ‘em. Honestly, don’t risk it – good headlight beams can be the make or break on a wet Friday night.
Need HID Headlight Replacement in Hamilton?
If your car’s lights are looking tired, or you’re keen to upgrade from those old yellows to crisp HIDs, we’ve got you sorted here at Grimmer Motors. Our techs have swapped and fitted every kind of bulb in everything from Suzuki Swifts to big old Toyota Hiluxes. We’ll set you up with quality HID lights to suit your make and model, with all the proper gear so you get years out of ‘em. It’ll give you back proper night vision, and it’ll help you breeze through your next WOF Hamilton check too.
We don’t just fit headlights, either – if you’re having dramas with reverse lights or indicator bulbs, or any other car lighting, just swing by. It’s way better to have everything sorted before you get pulled up or caught out in the rain.
Don’t stick with dull headlights – once you try HIDs, you’ll wish you’d done it sooner. Give us a call, or pop by if you’re in Hamilton or anywhere nearby. Ready for better night driving?