Can Halogen Headlights Be Directly Replaced with LED Lights?

[DiManuel]

Halogen headlights can be directly replaced with LED lights. The basic requirements for vehicle headlights during annual inspections are as follows: 1. The annual inspection tests the intensity of the lights, with the low beam required to be no less than 1050 lumens and the high beam no less than 1450 lumens. 2. The upper limit requirement is based on not affecting the driving safety of oncoming drivers. If you retrofit xenon lights with lenses and there is no issue of light scattering, it will not affect the safety of oncoming drivers and will pass the inspection. Similarly, LED bulbs with added lenses can also pass the annual inspection.

[StAnnie]

I've replaced my lights with LEDs, and it's not as simple as it seems. The bases of the car's halogen bulbs and LED bulbs look similar, but their circuit principles are completely different. Plugging them in directly might trigger a fault code on the dashboard because LEDs require stable current, which the original car circuit doesn't provide. Some car models even require adding resistors or decoders to avoid flickering. Additionally, LED heat sinks are quite large, and there might not be enough space inside the original headlight housing. Forcing them in can easily burn out the driver. Last year, my friend's Corolla ended up with the lamp housing deformed from overheating due to this. If you're serious about switching, first check modification cases for your car model. It's best to consult a professional shop for a complete solution.

[McPenelope]

As someone who drives at night every day, I advise caution when making modifications. Although online sellers claim LED bulbs are plug-and-play, two common issues often arise after installation: First, the light beam becomes too scattered because the original reflector bowl doesn't match the LED light source position, creating a blinding white haze that actually reduces visibility. Second, the cold white LED light has poor penetration in rainy conditions, performing like headlights shining into milk during foggy weather. My suggestion is to test one side first before rushing to replace all bulbs. If you're determined to upgrade, it's worth investing in a complete lens retrofit—though it may cost an extra thousand yuan, the safety benefits justify the expense.

[SanLiam]

I've learned my lesson about modifications. While halogen headlight sockets can indeed accommodate LED bulbs, they might cause issues during annual inspections. Last year, my car failed the inspection due to LED lights without projectors, forcing me to switch back to halogens. Current traffic regulations now require modified headlights to have projectors, otherwise it's considered illegal modification. Additionally, LED bulbs with different wattages may cause wiring to overheat - I've seen cases of vehicles catching fire. If you're determined to modify, opt for vehicle-specific models. Some brands offer CAN bus compatibility, which is far more reliable than no-name products.