If you own a car, you should be aware that headlights are an important safety feature. They protect the driver from other cars, pedestrians and other motorists while driving in the dark. It is essential to replace your car’s headlight promptly if you notice it’s malfunctioning or burning out.

You can easily find replacement headlight bulbs at an auto parts store and then install them yourself, or you can purchase a headlight restoration kit that includes everything you need to perform this work. You will also need a pneumatic buffer, which is sold separately.

Some vehicles, such as SUVs and vans, use a more advanced headlight system called adaptive lighting. This technology allows the light beams to pivot up or down about 15 degrees. This may help drivers see better on steep roads or when traveling downhill. Adaptive lighting isn’t as common as it used to be, but is now available in a wide variety of vehicles.

It is also important to check the quality of the headlights in your vehicle. Many halogen bulbs are available in a range of brightness from basic to premium, which can make a significant difference in a driver’s ability to see the road.

LED, or light-emitting diodes, are a relatively new option in the headlight market. These bulbs are much brighter than standard halogen bulbs and are typically installed as part of a headlight upgrade package.

Unlike halogen bulbs, LEDs don’t dim over time, and they last about 30,000 hours. They don’t require much electric power and can be manufactured in a wide range of shapes, making them more versatile for designers.

Another type of lighting technology is a laser-based option, which produces a high-intensity beam that’s much brighter than the average halogen bulb. It’s found in a handful of top-of-the-line luxury cars, such as the BMW i8, but isn’t available for all vehicles.

If you’re planning on buying a new or used car, it’s important to learn what type of headlights are included. The window sticker should tell you, but the salesperson can be a good resource, as well.

Some of the more popular headlight bulbs include halogen, HID xenon and LED, though not all of them are available for all vehicles. When a headlight has discolored, it’s an indicator that the bulb is old and needs to be replaced.

Generally speaking, a halogen bulb should be replaced every 500 to 1,000 hours. If you don’t replace them on schedule, the lenses can cloud up, restricting visibility. A halogen bulb can also turn pinkish and eventually dim, leaving the road in shadow.

The newest and most advanced headlight bulbs are LEDs, which are a relatively new technology in the auto industry. These bulbs are more expensive than halogen or HID xenon, but they’re the longest-lasting. They also have the advantage of being able to be installed in a more versatile manner, giving designers more options when creating headlamps and taillamps.