Xenon Headlamps Explained
Author: Haje Jan Kamps
Published: 27 October 2005
On up-market cars, you will often find Xenon headlamps as an option - or even as standard. Ever wondered what the advantage is? We’re here to help! In a normal headlamp, there is a small bulb roughly the size and shape of a pen lid. It is in essence a very bright version of the glow-lamp you would use in your house, not all that different different from the lightbulb invented in 1880s: A filament gets heated by electricity passing through, and the heat causes light emission. Modern headlamps are normally Halogen lamps - the inside of the bulb is filled with Halogen gas, which allows the bulb to burn at a higher temperature, and therefore brighter. Xenon headlamps are technically known as Xenon HID light. HID stands for High Intensity Discharge, and refers to the technology involved. Instead of a glowing filament, the light is generated by a spark which jumps across a gap constantly - just like a constant arc of mini-lightning.
More, but not better light
The light output from a Xenon headlamp can be roughly four times more than for a standard Halogen lamp, and the colour of the Xenon lights are a lot closer to that of daylight. Industry experts disagree if this is necessarily a good thing: At night, your eyes adapt to the warmer tones of the motorway lighting and other drivers, and the daylight-colour of Xenon lights might be problematic, as the eyes may not be able to register colour information correctly. In addition, light from Xenon lights is of very specific colours, rather than a continuous string of all colours of the rainbow. In addition, the optical physics behind creating an Xenon headlamp are very different from "normal" lights, which means that replacing the unit could be very expensive indeed. On the other hand, because the Xenon lights give a higher light output than their halogen equivalents, it allows car designers more freedom in designing unique-looking cars which still fulfill the needs for strong light.So, should you choose Xenon headlamps?
In theory, Xenon is a good idea. In practice, more light doesn’t necessarily mean that the quality of your night-vision is any better. In fact, it may be worse: The fact that the light is so bright could make your eyes adjust to the brightness. This means that you can see perfectly right in front of your car, but especially on wet roads, the glare may be tiring and problematic. In practice, despite the light being brighter, you may not be able to see further in front of you at night.
Car Jargon GuideOur jargon-busting guide explains all those baffling terms in easy-to-understand language.
Car owner's guidesHow to look after an maintain your car, and how to make the most of it when you sell your car.
Mercedes pile-up at safety demonstrationThe new Mercedes S class has a sophisticated radar-based braking system - when it works. A demonstration ended up in a 3-car pile-up filmed by German TV.
Battle of the hybrids: Toyota Prius vrs. Honda Civic HybridDreaming of a green Christmas? Long for increased fuel economy and lower carbon dioxide emissions? We review the best hybrids out of the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid to give you the lowdown on the best green vehicles on the market.
Ford extends Easy Fuel to new Focus to prevent misfuellingPetrol in a diesel engine - bad. Diesel in a petrol engine - bad. Ford´s Easy Fuel system that prevents you putting the wrong type of fuel in your engine - good.
advertisement
A special edition 325bhp Volvo S60 has been produced by performance tuning specialist Heico Sportiv. | 06/09/2010 14:05:39
The Jaguar XJ is the winner of the Professional Driver Car of the Year 2010 after fending off competition from other luxury car makers Mercedes and BMW. | 06/09/2010 13:44:32
Creating a global car to meet the very diverse needs of a wide range of customers is no easy task. | 06/09/2010 11:55:55
More style, more space, more power, more mpg so less CO2 emissions, more equipment, more money and more sales likely. | 06/09/2010 11:45:04
South Korean manufacturer Kia will recall some Soul and Sorento models over a possible fire risk. | 06/09/2010 09:45:57
|02/09/2010 14:06:54
Mazda has revealed that the iconic MX-5 sportscar has surpassed the 100,000 sales milestone in the UK, 20 years after hitting the shores.
|03/09/2010 16:26:33
The fourth model range in the MINI family is the new Countryman available with 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines and with the option of two and four wheel drive versions.
|02/09/2010 11:18:14
Mini was the cleanest car manufacturer in the UK over the first half of 2010, according to a new sales-weighted pollution index.
|02/09/2010 12:00:01
Hyundai is set to unveil its next generation B-segment MPV at the Paris Motor Show in the shape of the ix20.
|02/09/2010 10:53:38
An ECU remap to improve BMWs 245 bhp, 3.0 litre diesel engine has been released by car tuners Superchips.
|13/11/2007
German sports car manufacturer marches on as it post a monster €5.85bn profit.
|05/09/2008
New-car and van registrations in August drop 20 per cent over the month, used car values are worst since early-90s recession. The recession hits the UK car market.
|20/11/2007
Around 400 people a day risk damaging their car by misfuelling, and filling up with gas is a mistake that could cost thousands. So what do you do if you´ve filled up your diesel car with unleaded petrol?
|19/09/2008
20 of the best 90's TV car adverts showcase an industry wising up to the buying power of women, and putting the battle of the sexes at the forefront of car commercials.
|01/10/2008
Euro Car Parts has acquired Pinco 1555 Ltd, including all 53 of LSUK's 53 branches, together with subsidiaries M I Diesel Products, Protech Automotive (UK) and Yeovil Rewind.
Search Motortorque:
No readers comments
Be the first to write a comment on this article