Novice to Expert: BMW Headlights At A Glance
A clear perspective of what's ahead, especially when driving in the dark, is an important safety aspect that decreases the risk to all road users. According to Germany's Federal Statistical Office, there are more accidents at night than during the day, despite lower traffic levels. Once darkness sets, drivers are usually only able to see the road's line later and less clearly than during the day. Other drivers' lights annoy the eyes, which must constantly adjust to changing light/dark contrasts. It is especially difficult to see cyclists, pedestrians, and animals in low light conditions. Improved illumination and visibility help to lower the above-average rate of nighttime accidents.
The design of headlights and taillights is an important style element that influences a vehicle's shape and character. Aside from its "see and be seen" purpose, vehicle lighting serves as a brand ambassador both during the day and especially at night.
When it comes to luxury brand cars, they leave no stone unturned to render their clients with the best of technologies, be it related to any part of it. Today our focus is on the various kinds of headlight technologies used by BMW in its various series of vehicles. Light is a subject that is continuously becoming more significant to the BMW Group. There are mainly three kinds of lights being used, namely, the Halogen lights, the LED (Light-Emitting Diode) lights, and the LASER lights (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation). Each of the three kinds can be easily identified due to its specific characteristics.
There is a vast range of BMW lights, which use a vast range of various optical systems and light sources. Let us quickly go through the various kinds of BMW headlights, which will help you to make an informed decision.
BMW Halogen Headlights
The Halogen light derives its name from the Halogen gas in the bulbs. Being pocket-friendly, these kinds of lights are the most preferred ones among the manufacturers. As compared to LED lights, they are less efficient and also inconvenient. Due to this reason, they are now being rapidly replaced by LED lights, even on the most basic BMWs. Today these lights can be seen on very basic models such as the F40.1 Series, F44 Series Gran Coupe, F45/F46 2 Series Active Tourer/Gran Tourer, etc.
BMW LED Headlights
LEDs are a boon to the world of lighting technology. Their nature of being most energy-efficient and durable makes them a unique and perfect fit. Moreover, they can be used aesthetically in any way. Today most of the BMW models use LED headlights and taillights for the base trims. Recently, there has been an upgrade in the LED Technology to BMW’s Adaptive LED Headlights.
BMW Laser Headlights
Another upgraded version is the BMW Laser Headlights, first used in the year 2014 in the BMW i8 model. The distinctive feature of these lights is that they provide a wide range of views, which is around 600 metres (double that of conventional headlights). Their mechanism is based on directing three powerful blue lasers onto a clear yellow phosphorus element. In comparison to BMW LED headlights, this transforms the blue light into a white light that is ten times brighter. Due to it being expensive to produce, they are only used in the premium range of vehicles.
The luminous intensity of these headlights is almost 10 times greater than that of traditional light sources. In addition, these headlights are also super-efficient to the extent that they have reduced energy consumption by up to 30 percent.
BMW Adaptive Headlight
As the name itself suggests, it is adaptive to the extent that it can vary between different settings on a single click. By simply setting the shape of the splotch, the best visibility can be achieved. There are various patterns of BMW adaptive headlights, such as the Urban Beam Pattern (it is below 25 mph—approximately 40 km/h and gives an asymmetrical splotch with moderate range), the Single-Carriageway pattern (comes in the 30-70 mph range, and it gives a narrower and longer splotch), and the Motorway pattern (the splotch in this type gets even longer and slightly narrower). The other two kinds are the fog beam pattern and the adaptive cornering. The fog beam pattern is quite identical to the urban pattern, and its pattern is slightly shorter and wider. The Adaptive cornering gives a perfect stream of light depending on the movement of the steering wheel.
Some of the other striking features of the BMW adaptive headlights are the anti-glare technique and the illumination of the lights even after you have left the car. According to this technique, the system will automatically identify the oncoming traffic and control a portion of the beam, preventing it from glaring. The illumination of the headlights for a certain period can be set manually.
Car Headlights and Their Importance
Rain, fog, and dark roads all reduce your visibility when you're driving. Driving safety may be improved by taking preventative measures before you hit the road. You could improve your visibility on the road or prevent a potential penalty for a malfunctioning light by checking your car's headlights once a week. The performance and safety of your car will be enhanced if you check it out at the right dealership in your area.
When driving, safety should always come first. With recalls, properly functioning headlights and taillights, windshield wipers, driving in the rain, and other safety emission testing, your neighbourhood dealership may assist you in making your car safer. Your main mode of transportation is your car, and that should always be done safely.
Changing The BMW Headlights Feels Like A Burden on Your Pocket
Want to change your BMW headlights but not at the cost of making a hole in your pocket? We got you covered! The best advice is to go for regular servicing of your parts, which can help to increase their longevity. Or otherwise, if you wish to make the change and want to switch to a better version of your present headlights, opting for the wide range of headlights available at The Fab Store is another best idea.