We have already studied the topic of the legality of installing xenon in low and high beam headlights, now the time has come for a different, but similar type. Recently, this issue has been growing more and more due to the popularity of them. In this article we will discuss all questions about LED lamps:
- can they be installed in low and high beam headlights,
- Is auto corrector and headlight washers needed in this case,
- what markings of lighting devices should be for installing LED lamps,
- what is the fine for LED headlights?
Let’s start with the very essence of this issue - let’s look at the legislation in force for 2022.
Is it possible to install LED bulbs in headlights?
So, paragraph 3.4 of the Basic Provisions for the admission of cars to participate in the process of road traffic tells us that the operation of vehicles is prohibited if the type of lamps does not correspond to the type of lighting device, that is, headlights:
3.4. Light fixtures do not have lenses or use lenses and lamps that do not match the type of light fixture.
As you can see, if the headlights of a car are equipped with lamps that do not correspond to the first type, then this is a violation of traffic rules, which entails punishment. The types of external lighting devices are regulated by the Technical Regulations, which distinguishes 4 main types of headlights according to the possible lamps used in them:
- headlights with incandescent lamps,
- headlights with halogen lamps,
- headlights with xenon light,
- fog lights.
What headlight markings must be in order to install LED lamps?
The marking of headlights for 2022 is determined by the Technical Regulations in section No. 2, which provides the definitions used in the regulations.
Headlights with incandescent lamps are marked with the letters R, C or CR. R are incandescent low beam lamps, C are high beam lamps, and CR are lamps that can operate simultaneously in two modes in headlights where this is used (usually in budget cars).
Halogen lamps are marked on the headlight HR, HC, HCR - that is, the letter “H” is first added to the above marking, respectively.
Xenon lamps are marked with the abbreviations DR, DC, DCR - here everything is similar to incandescent lamps; they correspond to low-range, long-range or dual-mode bulbs.
Fog lights are generally marked B or F3. But they don’t interest us on the topic of whether it’s possible to install LED lamps in headlights.
But the types of headlights for an LED light source are not described in the Technical Regulations. from the word “absolutely”. Alas, this is true. Therefore, LED lamps, in theory, can be used in any type of headlights with any marking. Why in theory? Because in practice, traffic police inspectors and judges for some reason equate them to the halogen type, although these are completely different designs of light bulbs.
Therefore, here and below we will proceed from law enforcement practice, no matter how illogical it may be, and assume that the type of halogen light source is the appropriate marking for LED bulbs. Another argument in favor of such inclusion is that on cars that have LED bulbs installed from the factory, the headlights are labeled as halogen.
So, this type of headlight is marked HR, HC, HCR, where HC means low beam, HR means high beam, and HCR means dual-mode operation.
Thus, LED lamps can only be installed in headlights that are marked HR, HC or HCR.
Difficult choice
A wide variety of lamps for low beam lighting sometimes confuses when choosing a worthy product. However, it is worth highlighting important criteria for yourself and adhering to them as strictly as possible:
- luminous flux brightness;
- how comfortable the lighting is for the eyes;
- life time;
- Energy consumption;
- price.
At the same time, when deciding which H7 low beam lamps are the best, you should not be guided only by cost and purchase models that do not inspire confidence due to their low price. The personal safety of the driver and his passengers depends on the correct choice. From the total number of manufacturers, several companies can be identified that offer products of decent quality:
- Osram;
- Philips;
- Bosch;
- Narva.
When giving preference to one brand or another, it is worth asking what its reputation is. Although there are pleasant exceptions, when products from a little-known company are not inferior in quality to world leaders.
What other requirements for LED installation?
The requirements for installing LED lamps include the elementary correct adjustment of the headlight angle. But there is no fine for an incorrect angle, although you will be in trouble on the road from other drivers whom you may blind.
The main requirement for installing LED bulbs in low and high beam headlights is that the headlight must be equipped with an auto-tilt angle correction and a washer. This is what we are prescribed by clause 1.3.7 of the Technical Regulations:
1.3.7. Adaptive front lighting systems that perform the function of low beam, regardless of the light source used, low beam headlights with LED light sources, as well as low beam and fog headlights with light sources of any class having a rated luminous flux of more than 2000 lumens, must be equipped with automatic correction device for adjusting the headlight angle.
Low beam headlamps having light sources with a rated luminous flux of more than 2000 lumens must be equipped with an operable headlight cleaning device.
What is the fine for LED bulbs if they cannot be installed in headlights?
If you have installed LED lamps in a car with a type of headlight that is different from the one permitted for the installation of such lamps, then we have bad news for you. The fact is that in this case, legislation can show you firsthand how theory can differ from practice. Because in theory and according to the law, only a fine of 500 rubles is possible for this, but in practice you will be deprived of your rights with a 90% probability, the same as if you installed xenon. Let's find out!
Why are LED licenses revoked?
There may be a deprivation, and not a fine, for LED lamps in 2022, because traffic police officers will attract you under Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code, which provides for punishment for non-compliant operating mode and color of headlights with the Basic Provisions, we have provided a quote about the inconsistency of lamps with the type of headlights higher.
3. Driving a vehicle on the front of which there are installed lighting devices with red lights or red reflective devices, as well as lighting devices, the color of the lights and the mode of operation of which do not comply with the requirements of the Basic Regulations for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials ensuring road safety, entails deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for a period of six months to one year with confiscation of the specified devices and accessories.
You may have already noticed the inconsistency of this article for the purposes of its application for LED lamps. According to paragraph 3.6 of the Basic Provisions, the front of vehicles must have white, yellow or orange lights and no others. The conjunction “and” in the above article means that both conditions must be present for the possibility of punishment under it:
- and the color of the lights,
- and headlight operating mode.
Using LED headlights
There are 3 possible options for using LED headlights:
- Installation of LED headlights at the factory. In this case, the lighting devices are installed completely legally and the driver will not face fines.
- Installation of LED headlights on a car, if such headlights are installed by the manufacturer on cars of a similar model.
- Installation of LED headlights on a car, if the manufacturer did not provide for such an installation.
In this article we will talk about the second and third situations.
Installing LED bulbs in halogen headlights
First, let's look at the simplest option. You have a car equipped with standard halogen light bulbs. Accordingly, the headlights themselves (reflectors) are designed to work with halogen lamps. The driver finds LED bulbs with a similar base and installs them in the headlights.
3.1. The number, type, color, location and operating mode of external lighting devices do not meet the requirements of the vehicle design.
Deprivation of rights for diode lamps until 2022
Until mid-2022, the courts considered the installation of LED light bulbs as a violation under Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses:
3. Driving a vehicle on the front of which there are installed lighting devices with red lights or red reflective devices, as well as lighting devices, the color of the lights and the mode of operation of which do not comply with the requirements of the Basic Regulations for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials ensuring road safety, -
entails deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for a period of six months to one year with confiscation of the specified instruments and accessories.
Thus, the punishment for installing LED bulbs in halogen headlights was a deprivation of rights for 6-12 months . If you wish, you can study the judicial practice on this issue and make sure that until 2022, magistrates deprived people of rights for diode bulbs in headlights.
Penalty for LED light bulbs in 2022
On June 25, 2022, Resolution No. 20 of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation was published, which contains clarifications regarding the imposition of penalties for the improper use of lighting devices:
6. Installation on the front of the vehicle of lighting devices with red lights or red reflective devices, as well as lighting devices, the color of the lights and the mode of operation of which do not comply with the requirements of the Basic Provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety ( hereinafter referred to as the Basic Provisions), entails administrative liability under Part 1 of Article 12.4 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. In this case, driving a vehicle on the front of which the specified lighting devices or retroreflective devices are installed, as well as putting such a vehicle on the line, is subject to qualification, respectively, under Part 3 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation or Part 3 of Article 12.31 of this Code. . When applying the above standards, it should be taken into account that the objective side of the relevant administrative offense can only occur in the event of a simultaneous discrepancy between the color of the lights and the operating mode of such devices with the requirements specified by the manufacturer in the operational documentation, and in cases of installation of additional lighting devices - with an assessment of the compliance of the introduced changes to the design of the vehicle (clause 3.1 of the List of faults and conditions under which the operation of vehicles is prohibited (appendix to the Basic Provisions).
At the same time, if only the color or operating mode of the light devices installed on the vehicle does not comply with the above requirements, driving such a vehicle can be qualified under Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.
It follows from this paragraph that deprivation of rights is imposed only if light bulbs are installed in which both the color of the lights and the operating mode do not meet the requirements. However, when installing LED bulbs, the color of the lights usually does not change. That is, the headlights both shone white with halogen lamps and continued to shine white with LED lamps.
Thus, in 2022, the penalty for a driver using LEDs in headlights is a fine of 500 rubles .
Despite this, since in the described situation the type of light bulb does not correspond to the type of reflector, it will not be possible to legalize the design. That is, fines will be imposed until the driver returns the halogen lamps to their place.
Installing LED headlights instead of halogen ones
Let's consider another option - completely replacing halogen headlights with LED ones. In this case, there is a violation of the same paragraph 3.1 and the fine for violation is 500 rubles .
However, in this case it is possible to legalize LED light bulbs. To do this, you need to obtain a certificate of compliance of the vehicle with the changes made to its design with safety requirements, and then re-register the car with the traffic police.
So, if you have documents for LED headlights, you can legalize them and not pay fines.
In addition, the situation is much better if vehicles of a similar model are equipped with LED headlights. In this case, the driver will not have to undergo a safety test. Clause 77 of Section 4 of Chapter V of the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union:
77. Vehicles are not subject to inspection in the following cases:
1) when installing components on a vehicle:
Low beam sources
Modern technologies in the automotive industry allow manufacturers to produce a variety of products for head optics. At the same time, each company relies on its own developments and experience. For this reason, all lamps with an H7 base have different parameters regarding power and lighting spectrum, which can range from cold to warm tones.
As for power, according to the standard for H7 lamps it is 55 W. However, there are models with higher values on the market. It is only recommended for SUV owners to purchase them when driving outside the city. Usually in megacities the roads are well lit. Using strong lamps on a vehicle that is used primarily for driving on city streets can cause overload. And as a result, the on-board electrical system will fail.
Many drivers, especially beginners, constantly worry about which H7 low beam lamps are the best. Today there is plenty to choose from, since the modern market is filled with different types of headlights:
- halogen;
- xenon;
- LED.
At the same time, lamps of some brands are distinguished by increased luminous flux, manufacturers of others assure consumers that their lamps last three times longer than their competitors, and still others can generally decorate head optics well with their appearance alone. It is worth considering each type in more detail.
Can LED bulbs be installed in regular headlights?
UPDATE
Excerpt from document:
“The objective side of the relevant administrative offense can only occur in the event of a simultaneous discrepancy between the color of the lights and the operating mode of such devices with the requirements specified by the manufacturer in the operational documentation, and in cases where additional lighting devices are installed.”
“However, if only the color or operating mode of the light devices installed on the vehicle does not comply with the above requirements, driving such a vehicle may be qualified under Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.”
Have you noticed how LEDs have smoothly and imperceptibly entered our lives? They are everywhere. They are everywhere. But just a few years ago, LED optics seemed fantastic. Especially in the auto industry. True, now, every year, more and more automakers are installing LED headlights on their cars instead of standard halogen or xenon optics. This became possible due to the fact that the cost of LED lamps has dropped significantly.
As a result, a widespread fashion for LEDs came into the world and immediately a demand for LED optics appeared in the auto world. But not everyone can afford to buy a new car with LED headlights. Therefore, many companies realized that the time has come to produce LED lamps for low and high beams, which can replace conventional halogen and xenon lamps in headlights. Naturally, many car enthusiasts decided to purchase similar lamps for themselves and install them on their cars. But is it legal? And is there any liability for installing non-factory LED optics? Let's figure it out.
Technologies of the 21st century are increasingly taking over our world. Every year more and more incredible innovative ideas appear, and yesterday’s fantastic technologies are becoming a reality today. The progress of the digital age has not spared the auto industry. Especially car lighting devices, which have undergone significant changes over the past decades.
Moreover, progress in auto lighting technology over the past few years has become more significant than over the past 50 years. As a result, we saw how xenon optics first appeared in the automotive industry. Then, LED. Now the world is on the threshold of a new era - laser light illumination.
But today we are not talking about that. As we have already said, all over the world (including in our country) LED lamps that are installed in car headlights are currently becoming extremely popular.
In recent years, more and more drivers are beginning to think about replacing halogen and xenon headlights with LED ones. How effective is it, etc. you can find out from our review article here.
But there is one main question that worries many. Is it possible to install new-fangled LED lamps in conventional headlights designed for halogen or xenon lamps? Is there liability in Russia for installing LED lamps in front optics?
Unfortunately, many car owners think that liability does not exist. After all, these are not xenon lamps, which are prohibited from being installed in halogen headlights. But that's not true. Responsibility actually exists and is very strict. For example, for illegally installing LED low-beam or high-beam lamps in the front optics, the driver may lose his driver's license. Surprised? Here are the details.
Xenon solutions
In appearance, one can notice the almost complete similarity of gas-discharge lamps with their halogen counterparts. However, both light sources use different technology. In this case, a characteristic feature is the complete absence of an incandescent filament, since a different principle is used.
What are the best H7 low beam lamps for the Duster? Perhaps this is exactly the case, since they have a special operating principle. The luminous flux is created due to the glow of the inert gas xenon, hence the name of the lamps themselves. It is under pressure in a glass flask. There is also a small metal plate located here, which heats the inert medium. Due to the absence of an incandescent filament, such lamps are vibration-free, which is confirmed by many tests. Compared to the classic halogen counterpart, the glow from xenon is three times brighter. This becomes especially important when driving a car in the evening and at high speed.
Among other advantages, it is worth highlighting the following:
- low power consumption - about 35 W;
- service life according to approximate estimates is 2800-4000 hours;
- lighting brightness – 3000 lumens;
- the luminous flux is as close as possible to sunlight.
Due to the characteristics of xenon lighting, the question of which H7 low-beam lamps are the best for Kalina should not arise at all. The driver clearly sees almost all objects on the road and side of the road (including road signs) at a great distance. When driving a car in conditions of dense fog or heavy rainfall, the so-called “light wall” is not created. The rays are able to penetrate such an obstacle, thanks to which it is the road that is visible, and not drops of rain or fog.
Why, in this case, having such irrefutable advantages, xenon lamps have not yet completely replaced their halogen counterparts from the market. It's all about the shortcomings. For such lamps to work, they need an additional ignition unit. To start them, a voltage of 25 kV is required, and during operation they consume less - 80 V. Another no less serious disadvantage is the high price. In addition, it is recommended to install such lamps only on those car models that are equipped with headlight range control, otherwise you cannot avoid dazzling oncoming drivers.
Why do many drivers believe that there is no responsibility for installing LED lamps?
Indeed, an interesting paradox has developed in our country. For example, most drivers know that in Russia there is liability for installing xenon lamps in halogen headlights in the form of deprivation of a driver's license. That is why we no longer see a lot of cars on the road with “collective farm” xenon. After all, you must agree that the responsibility for the illegal installation of xenon lamps is very severe.
But why then, every year, more and more cars with LED lamps appear on Russian roads, which are usually installed by vehicle owners themselves?
The fact is that a very large number of car enthusiasts believe that LED lamps can be installed in front optics. Especially considering that many sellers of LED low and high beam lamps provide a large number of different certificates and permits, assuring buyers that LED lamps with halogen or xenon optics available for sale are indeed permitted in our country for use and sale.
But in fact, it turns out that most certificates for such lamps at the time of sale are either no longer valid or have been suspended.
Also, do not forget that if the sale of LED lamps is allowed and there are valid permits and certificates, this does not mean that every car owner has the right to install them in the headlights of his car.
Therefore, the presence of certification of LED lamps in Russia does not mean that you have the right to install them in your car. Yes, you can buy. But no more than that if your headlights are strictly designed to work only with xenon or halogen lamps.
That is, the situation is exactly the same as with xenon lamps, the installation of which is strictly prohibited in cars equipped with front optics designed for halogen incandescent lamps.
Accordingly, by installing low and high beam LED lamps in your halogen or xenon headlights, you will grossly violate current Russian legislation, namely:
Article 12.5 Part 3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation:
3. Driving a vehicle on the front of which there are installed lighting devices with red lights or red reflective devices, as well as lighting devices, the color of the lights and the mode of operation of which do not comply with the requirements of the Basic Regulations for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials ensuring road safety, -
entails deprivation of the right to drive vehicles for a period of six months to one year with confiscation of the specified instruments and accessories.
Narva
Among the candidates under consideration, this is the youngest, but this does not mean at all that the company produces low-quality products. The manufacturer began mass production of halogen light sources in 1969. Since then, the Narva brand has become quite popular and recognizable all over the world, largely due to the optimal price-quality ratio. True German quality - this is exactly the phrase that is fashionable to hear from the mouths of many car enthusiasts, both among professionals and beginners.
What is the responsibility for installing LED lamps in halogen or xenon headlights?
Installing LED low or high beam sources in the front halogen or xenon headlights is equivalent to equipping the car with red special signals. Accordingly, according to the current traffic rules and the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, if a driver illegally and unauthorizedly installs LED lamps in headlights intended for halogen or xenon lamps, he faces liability in the form of deprivation of his driver’s license for up to 1 year.
Pinout of sockets and LED lamps
Look at the number of contacts in the socket intended for installing rear license plate lamps. It is equal to four, but every two nearest contacts are connected to each other. If you install an LED assembly with a Conventional connector in such a socket, it will burn out. The LED lamp base is compatible with a socket in which the potential difference is applied only to two opposite contacts located diagonally.
LED lamp pinout, common option
One way to use the LED assembly with its
Conventional base is to bite off the lower left and upper right contacts in the socket.
Similar tuning options are already known; there is a corresponding video on the website. Watch it carefully, where the owner talks about installing LEDs equipped with knife contacts. If we talk about tuning the DRLs, the best option would be the following - you need to find an assembly equipped with an “SRCK” base. Then, in principle, there will be no need to redo anything. Look for LED bulbs designated as P27/7W (7443), W21/5W (3157).
How will the traffic police check what type of headlights your optics belong to?
Each headlight in a car must be marked at the car plant with the corresponding generally accepted marking, which indicates not only the type of optics, but also the type of lamps used in it.
Accordingly, based on the markings, technical inspection staff can determine that your car has halogen headlights, in which you, for example, installed xenon or LED lamps. Naturally, halogen optics with reflectors cannot provide safe lighting on the road when using LED lamps. That is why, according to the law, for the illegal installation of LED or xenon lamps in halogen optics, a driver can be held administratively liable (deprivation of rights).
The same applies to installing LED lamps in xenon lens optics. That is, even despite the presence of lenses in the front optics that are designed for xenon lighting sources, the use of LED lamps in such headlights is dangerous and accordingly prohibited by current legislation.
LED flashlight that duplicates the “dimensions” and brake light
There are several useful tuning options suitable for the Kalina-2 car in any configuration. A common modification method is to install an additional brake light located behind the rear door glass. An LED flashlight rated for 12 Volts can be purchased ready-made.
The easiest way to connect the LED assembly is to the wire of the standard brake lights. The negative contact coming from the LEDs is connected to the neutral wire. As a result, the brake light will perform its function, that is, it will light up when you press the brake. In this case, the electrical circuit should not contain additional parts, and what is shown further in the video corresponds to a more complex option. Let it be required that the additional brake light burns along with the side lights. It is then that the circuit will contain diodes.
It must be remembered that introducing additional load into any electrical circuit can lead to undesirable consequences.
The wiring cross-section is selected with a reserve, and the fuses in the car are designed for a slightly higher current strength than the standard equipment consumes. However, the possibility of tuning was not initially included in the design of the car, and we must not forget about it. Many companies produce equipment designed for installation in VAZ cars. But you need to use such tempting offers wisely.
How to legally install LED bulbs in headlights?
According to the law, if you make changes to the design of the car, then you have the right to operate the car on public roads only after going through a certain procedure in legalizing the installed equipment in the traffic police and in specialized organizations.
We discussed in more detail how to formalize the conversion of a car in the article “Fine for gas equipment in a car.” Let us recall that in this article we examined the process of legalizing the installation of gas equipment on a vehicle.
When installing LED lamps in a car, you will first need to re-equip the headlights in a specialized organization, which will install the appropriate lenses and other equipment in them that will provide the LED lighting with an optimal beam of light projected onto the road.
Also, to legally register LED optics, you need to obtain permission to re-equip the car.
In particular, after installing / altering the headlights in a specialized organization, you must register the re-equipment of the car with the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate and obtain a certificate of compliance of the vehicle with the changes made to its design in accordance with safety requirements.
Read more about the process itself here.
