Why does the Accord use halogen for high beams?
4 Answers
The reasons why the Accord uses halogen bulbs for high beams are as follows: 1. Halogen bulbs have strong penetration, longer range than LED or other types of lights, and low color temperature, making them highly suitable for high beams. 2. High safety: LED lights are too bright, with strong advantages for low beams and high color temperature. If used for high beams, they can affect the visibility of other drivers, creating adverse effects and potentially causing accidents in severe cases. Halogen bulbs have a weaker color temperature and do not affect oncoming drivers. Below is an extended explanation of how halogen bulbs work: 1. When the filament heats up, tungsten atoms evaporate and move toward the glass tube wall. As they approach the tube wall, the tungsten vapor cools to around 800°C and combines with halogen atoms to form tungsten halide. 2. The tungsten halide continues to move toward the center of the glass tube and returns to the oxidized filament. Since tungsten halide is an unstable compound, it decomposes back into halogen vapor and tungsten upon reheating, allowing the tungsten to redeposit on the filament and compensate for the evaporated portion. 3. Through this regenerative cycle, the lifespan of the filament is significantly extended (almost four times that of incandescent bulbs). Additionally, since the filament can operate at higher temperatures, it achieves higher brightness, higher color temperature, and higher luminous efficiency.
I've been driving an Accord for a while, and I've seen many people asking why the high beams still use halogen. I think it's mainly about cost considerations. Halogen bulbs are ridiculously cheap - replacing a new bulb only costs 20-30 yuan, and you can do it yourself. Unlike LED or xenon lights, a full set can cost hundreds or even thousands, and they're more prone to issues. Plus, halogen lights have better penetration in rainy or foggy weather, with no worries about glare. Honda allocates the saved costs to other safety features, like the automatic braking system. The Accord focuses on daily practicality - as long as the high beams are functional, there's no need to pursue fancy options. Remember to regularly check the bulb condition to avoid failures during night driving.
From an automotive design perspective, it's quite sensible for the Accord to use halogen for high beams. Halogen lights have a simple structure and low failure rates, allowing quick starts even in sub-zero winter temperatures - unlike LEDs which require additional controllers and potential extra maintenance points. The production costs are also lower, enabling Honda to allocate this budget towards improving the engine or interior. Personally, I've driven mountain roads at night and found halogen light to be softer, reducing glare reflections for better safety. For owners wanting upgrades, auxiliary LED lights can be added, but the factory setup prioritizes convenience and affordability for most users. During regular maintenance, have technicians check the voltage to prevent electrical issues.
I've been following the Accord for many years, and its halogen high beams are mainly for cost savings and easy maintenance. Replacing a bulb is super easy, just a few minutes at a roadside shop, and it only costs a few dozen bucks. LEDs are brighter but more expensive, and if they fail, you have to replace the entire module. Honda sticks with halogens in the entry-level models to focus resources on electrification technology, which is more environmentally friendly in the long run. Halogen lights perform stably in rain and snow, avoiding the visual interference caused by high-intensity lights. If you're going on a long trip, I recommend keeping a spare bulb for emergencies.
