HIDs, or High Intensity Discharge headlights, are known for the intensity of their light output and their custom coloring options. Aftermarket HID headlights offer a wide array of benefits and can usually be installed in less than a couple of hours, all depending on the model/type of car you’re currently driving, and how recent the car is. Below, we’ll go over several things every driver should be aware of when choosing to upgrade to HID headlights, so you can make informed decisions before purchasing and during installation.
Headlight Colors
Many people are aware that HIDs can be customized to match a person’s color preference. If someone desires warm yellow headlights, he can have them, or if a driver wants a bold blue look, she can get exactly what she wants. Colors differ based on the color temperature. A 3000K color temperature makes for a yellow light, a 6000K is an icy, almost-white blue, and 10000K is a piercing purple color. What many drivers don’t know, however, is that the color temperature has nothing to do with the intensity of the headlight output. A 12000K super-blue light is just as bright as a 5000K white light; the temperature makes no difference.
Adjustments
Those who’ve heard about HIDs exclusively through word of mouth by people that aren’t car enthusiasts probably know how blinding improperly installed HID headlights can be. HID light beams need to be set lower than conventional halogen lights, otherwise they can blind oncoming traffic in the dark. A simple test against the wall can help you determine if your newly installed HIDs are pointing the right direction, making this a simple adjustment to make.
Adaptation
There are several minor issues that can occur just after installing HID headlights, and this can scare many people who just spent a couple of hours of hard work installing them. Sometimes, the lights can appear a different color just after installation. This is completely normal. If you drive the car around, the lights should even out in color within a few hours max. Others notice a light humming soon after installation. Again, this is normal, and will usually disappear within 10 minutes. Some systems need longer to adapt to HID components, and that’s where the humming is coming from. There’s only a real problem if either of these issues persists over an extended period of time, but that’s quite rare.