Masterparts offers headlight globes for most vehicle makes and models.
What do headlight globes do in a car?
Headlight globes are installed in the lighting units at the front of the vehicle. They illuminate the road ahead at night and when day-time visibility is poor.
Road safety is compromised when the headlights of a car aren’t fully functional.
There are three main types of headlight globes on the aftermarket – halogen, xenon and Light Emitting Diode (LED).
Halogen globes are affordable. Typically, they’re used in more economical vehicle makes and models. They have an average life expectancy of 1,000 hours.
Standard halogen bulbs are available as upgrades. These enhanced bulbs deliver a brighter or whiter light, at the cost of a significantly shorter lifespan.
Xenon, or High Intensity Discharge (HID) globes, are more expensive than halogen but last up to 10 times longer. They’re designed for vehicles with narrower headlight casings.
LED headlight bulbs are energy efficient, produce a similar light output to xenon globes, and can last up to 30,000 hours. Most modern, luxury cars are fitted with LEDs.
For an overview of different types of headlight bulbs and how they compare in terms of output, try this YouTube video.
How does a headlight globe work?
Halogen, xenon and LED headlight globes each have a unique way of emitting light.
Halogen bulbs consist of halogen gas and tungsten filaments. The heating of the two elements produces incandescent light.
Xenon bulbs use xenon gas rather than halogen gas. They generate light through a high voltage electrical arc flowing between two electrodes.
LED bulbs are a type of semiconductor light source. Instead of converting energy into heat and then into light – as is the case with both halogen and xenon bulbs – LEDs convert electrical energy directly into light.
Choosing the right halogen headlights for your vehicle
The owner’s manual of your vehicle will specify the size headlights required.
To ensure standardisation, halogen globes are classified into three broad groups. Headlight globes fall into group one, designated by the letter H.
Bulbs are then numerically graded according to three elements. They are:
- number of filaments
- nominal power – the number of volts required and watts produced
- base – the foot of the bulb that fits into the socket.
H1, H3, H7, H11, HB4 are single-filament globes. Each one performs a specific function, such as the dim and bright function of the headlights. The bases vary in size and shape.
H4 globes are dual-filament halogen globes. They power the bright and dim beam of the headlights.
What are bi-xenon headlights?
Bi-xenon bulbs work in the same way as xenon bulbs, with one exception.
Rather than using two pairs of fixed globes to perform the high beam and low beam functions, respectively, bi-xenon headlights use only one pair of bulbs.
The beam of light is mechanically adjusted up or down to brighten or dim the lights.
High-quality automotive headlight globes for sale in South Africa
Masterparts offers a range of H1, H3, H4, H7, H11 and HB4 headlight globes.
We offer door-to-door delivery. Alternatively, visit any of our branches across South Africa or in Windhoek, Namibia.
Headlight globes in and around Cape Town:
Headlight globes in KwaZulu-Natal:
Headlight globes in Namibia:
Masterparts stocks a comprehensive range of automotive components, from headlight globes to engine components – so you can complete a full repair with one stop. Contact us if there’s a part you need and we’ll do our best to help.
