Is Higher Lumen Better for Car Lights?
3 Answers
Not necessarily. The lumen of car lights should be within a reasonable range, as both too dim and too bright can affect driving visibility. Below is relevant information about lumen: Concept: Lumen is a physical unit describing luminous flux, defined in physics as the total emitted luminous flux produced by one candela within a solid angle (the angle represented by a spherical cone corresponding to a 1-square-meter spherical cap on a unit sphere with a 1-meter radius, with a central cross-section angle of approximately 65 degrees). Lumen Values for Car Lights: A 55W halogen lamp has a lumen of 1000, a 35W xenon lamp has a lumen of 3500, and a 35W LED car light has a lumen of 3200.
Having driven for over 20 years, I've learned that headlight brightness isn't necessarily better with higher numbers. I remember once when I modified my lights to exceed the lumen standard - driving on the highway at night, all oncoming vehicles were completely blinded by the white glare, endangering both others and myself, nearly causing a rear-end collision. Excessive lumens can easily create glare, momentarily blinding opposing drivers and increasing accident risks. Moreover, chasing excessively high lumens may cause bulbs to overheat, shortening their lifespan or even burning out circuits. Now I recommend car owners prioritize standard lights with safety lenses that ensure clear road visibility without dazzling others. Regularly check for bulb aging issues rather than impulsively choosing based on big numbers alone. Remember - appropriate brightness means safety, practicality, cost savings and peace of mind.
As a car DIY enthusiast, I've studied various lights. High lumen sounds cool but actually causes many issues. Overly bright lights without dedicated optical systems scatter light poorly, reducing effectiveness and even impairing your own vision. High power consumption generates heat, damaging modules or even burning relays, leading to costly repairs. When modifying lights, I always check the ECE R112 standard to ensure lumen stays within limits. Factory LED or HID lights are optimized for even, non-glaring illumination and are usually sufficient—don't blindly chase trends. Choosing quality brands that balance efficiency and safety is key to avoiding nighttime troubles.
