5 Must-Know Facts and Info about HID Driving Lights

HID driving lights are an off road driver's best friend. As you may know, auxiliary lights are a necessary addition to your 4WD as they make night driving on bush roads a much safer experience. For this reason, many car owners invest in these lighting devices to ensure that they will reach their destination in one piece. Meanwhile, if you're thinking of buying HIDs for your vehicle, here are some nifty facts about the HID lights you need to know

Fact No 1. The letters HID basically stands for high intensity discharge. What makes them different from ordinary driving and work lights is that instead of the usual light bulb filament, these driving lights have a capsule of gas. Many experts agree that they are the "brightest stars" in the 4WD lighting galaxy. Although LED lights have become increasingly popular these days, many 4WD owners still prefer HIDs because they are reliable and significantly less expensive than LED lamps.

Fact No 2. HID driving lights are the "automotive equivalents" of the household fluorescent lamp. As compared to most halogen lamps, they are 20% more efficient. They last longer, too. The amount of light produced by HIDs is greater and much brighter than those emitted by a standard halogen bulb. In addition, HIDs closely approximate the "colour temperature" of natural daylight.

Fact No 3. As mentioned earlier, these lighting devices are more power-efficient than ordinary halogen lamps. HID lights have globes with wattages that are much lower than halogen lamps but are more powerful. For example, a typical 35W HID globe has the light-emitting capacity of a 100W halogen light. What's more, it can last at least 2,000 working hours (longer for HIDs with higher wattage) because it has no wire filament, making it more durable than the average "hot wire" globe.

Fact No 4. HID driving lights are usually sold in pairs. Also, anyone can install them as long as they have decent DIY skills. Prior to installation, however, it is important that you are aware of local and state regulations regarding minimum and maximum mounting height from above the ground. In addition, make sure that the lights don't project beyond the front profile of your vehicle. There are some states and territories that closely monitor these things to ensure that there are no sharp projections that could harm pedestrians in case of a collision.

Fact No 5. Sure, HID driving lights can be more expensive than standard halogen lamps. But the good news is prices are falling steadily over the last few years without affecting the lights' quality. In fact, these days, you can purchase a good pair of 9-inch HID globes for your 4WD for at least a hundred bucks.