Why Can't LED Headlights Be Seen Clearly on Rainy Days?
2 Answers
This is because LED lights have poor penetration, and the reflection of rainwater further prevents the light from refracting effectively. Here is some relevant information about car lights: 1. The color temperature of LED lights is generally above 6000K, producing a white light that is similar in color to rain and fog. This makes them difficult to see in rainy or foggy conditions. However, under normal circumstances, LED lights are still very bright. 2. Many cars come with halogen lights as standard, which emit a yellowish light with excellent penetration, making them more suitable for use in rainy or foggy weather. However, their brightness is relatively low. If the original headlights are not bright enough, they can be replaced with brighter xenon or LED lights, which require the installation of a lens. However, it is not recommended to use lights with higher wattage than the original ones. 3. Car circuits have a rated power capacity. If the headlight power is too high and exceeds the load capacity of the car's wiring, the wires may overheat and even burn out. Therefore, if you feel that the headlights are not bright enough, you can replace them with xenon or LED lights of the same wattage, as both xenon and LED headlights are significantly brighter than the original halogen lights.
I've been driving all my life, and it's not uncommon to have trouble seeing the road with LED headlights on rainy days, mainly because raindrops scatter the light. Think about it, LED beams are too concentrated and bright, hitting raindrops like tiny mirrors reflecting back into the car, especially when wet roads enhance this reflection. The result is a blinding white glare that makes it hard to see anything clearly, leading to misjudged distances and potential collisions. Once, I almost rear-ended someone during a heavy rainstorm at night because of this issue. It wasn't until I asked a friend afterward that I learned it was an optical design flaw—rain causes the light to be wasted where it shouldn't shine. I recommend everyone regularly check their headlight height and angle to ensure proper alignment, avoiding direct forward projection. Adding fog lights or switching to yellow LED lights can help, as they penetrate deeper. Always reduce speed and switch between high and low beams when driving in the rain—safety first.
