The sample included products from well-known brands - proven and reliable European manufacturers. Take care of this and bet on quality light bulbs with a clear history, backed by experienced engineers and years of testing.
If you don't have a manufacturer's preference, decide what's more important: brighter light or longer life.
Please note that all Priori's low beam lamps are the same. On the restyled Priora model (from 10.2013) the high beam lamps are different.
Snapshot1
We demonstrate the work on the left headlight unit (for clarity, the work is shown on a removed headlight unit), and change the lamps in the right headlight unit in the same way.
It is more convenient to perform operations to replace lamps in the left headlight unit with the battery removed. To replace the turn signal lamp...
Today, many car owners install LED lamps instead of standard halogen lamps. They are more durable and have a better color temperature, which improves visibility of the road.
But according to existing laws, the installation of light not provided for by the standard design, which must be indicated in the operational documentation, will be regarded as an administrative offense.
Owners of such converted vehicles may receive a fine. In some cases, in case of gross violations of the operating conditions of the headlights, the sanctions will be more serious, including deprivation of rights with dismantling and confiscation of the object of violation.
Layout of the restyled version
In the Priora, little has changed after restyling - small details invisible to the eye, the center console, the dashboard. The headlights have also changed - they have become quite a bit larger. The principle of their design has remained virtually unchanged, except that there is now one plug at the back to isolate the contacts.
The design of the headlamp unit has become more complex: now in place of the usual high beam lamp there is a light consumable, combined with daytime running lights, which switches between operating modes. PTF fog light bulb, everything is also mounted depending on the configuration.
Legal aspects of retrofitting car lighting
Is it allowed to install LED lamps on cars?
Part 1 art. 12.5 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation
It is possible to install a mounted spotlight on almost any car, if such an option is allowed according to the technical conditions of the automaker. Additionally, the car can be equipped with one additional forced braking signal, a pair of additional fog lights and a pair of fog lights.
Installation of other lighting sources, both built-in and mounted (not specified by the manufacturer in the operational design documentation of the vehicle) is unacceptable . If such changes in the design are detected, it is regarded as a violation of the operating conditions of the vehicle and will lead to an administrative fine.
Are LED low beam lamps allowed?
Part 3 art. 12.5 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation
Installation of LED lamps in the front high and low beam headlights, when they are not structurally provided for in the operational documentation, is an administrative violation and entails an administrative fine or withdrawal of the vehicle’s driving privileges for a period of up to one year.
A precedent for an administrative offense will arise if the installed LED lamps violate the light signaling regimes established by law.
Is it possible to install LED lamps in dimensions?
By law, it is not permitted to operate vehicles if the available side and running lights do not meet the following criteria:
- fog lights are standard white or yellow, other colors are not allowed;
- reflective devices are exclusively white;
- white reversing and registration plate lights;
- turn indicators with only yellow or orange lights.
Real operating conditions of LED lamps
Replacing halogen lights with LED lights in a car's parking lights with regular white LEDs that do not change their color (like decorative lighting or installing LED lighting in the cabin) cannot be regarded as a violation of the light indication mode.
The presence of an LED lamp in the side headlight can only be proven by dismantling the headlight cover; naturally, no one will do this. Therefore, the answer to the question whether it is possible to install diode lamps in dimensions is definitely “YES”.
The main problems arise when installing headlights in headlights. The light beam angle of a conventional LED matrix is about 120 degrees, which is significantly less than that of halogen lamps.
A standard reflector in a headlight is not capable of providing the necessary focusing of the light flux under such conditions; this worsens the illumination of the roadway and can blind oncoming drivers. Naturally, such car owners will inevitably be held accountable.
Today, LEDs in headlights are installed as standard only on electric vehicles and some hybrid vehicles. Therefore, in the operational documentation of the vast majority of cars, the class of LED lamps is missing as such.
Reverse
Car LED lamp P21W Atom Black 3s
Luminous flux: 910 lm
Warranty period: 1 year
Car LED lamp P21W Atom Black 18s3
Luminous flux: 780 lm
Warranty period: 6 months
Installing LED lamps in headlights
Re-equipping headlights with LEDs is the most problematic issue. For high and low beam, only special lamps with reflectors can be used. Any other option will not be focused by the standard reflector.
Among the budget models imported from China, there is no worthy replacement for halogen lamps yet. Their actual brightness may be higher than halogen, but often the LED does not fall into the focus of the reflector. This reduces visibility and quality of lighting.
Is it worth fooling around? Their cost is quite high, even budget options from China start from $50 per pair. In this case, you risk getting a lamp with lower brightness than a halogen one and, in addition, that does not correspond to the focal point of the reflector.
The low beam of such models is usually quite good, but the high beam does not stand up to criticism. Headlights from Cree and Philips already cost more than $100. Their design is much more advanced than copies from China, but even so there is no guarantee that they will definitely fit your reflector.
Is it worth installing LED bulbs in headlights? There are definitely no Chinese copies. Even if you accept some “shortcomings” in their work, the automobile inspector is unlikely to turn a blind eye to this. Brands are indeed capable of providing a high-quality replacement for halogen ones, but first it is still recommended to look for successful experience in converting similar cars.
Main conclusions
For high beams on a Lada Priora, depending on the year of manufacture, lamps with a power of 55 watts are used, with two types of base:
- Pre-styling - H1.
- Restyled - H15.
Among reliable, high-quality and durable lamps, the most popular models are Bosch Gigalight, Vision and LongLife EcoVision from the Philips line (for pre-restyling), and Philips Standart, Original Line and Cool Blue Intense from Osram (for restyled ones). When replacing burnt-out ones with new ones, you must strictly follow the instructions and follow safety rules.
If you have personal experience in replacing high beam lamps on a Priora, taking into account the characteristics of a particular model, share it in the comments.
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.
Dorestyling
The life of the owners of pre-restyling cars was darkened by the fact that, in addition to the reduced service life, even then it was darkened by the fact that when replacing some light bulbs it was necessary to remove the socket along with the bulb - this, for example, happened when the owner wanted to replace a side light bulb. Owning a Priora became increasingly expensive; rarely did anyone think about buying another headlight - developed by other companies. Installing light bulbs from foreign manufacturers solved the problem of poor lighting well and for a long time.
Novaya Lada: Tightening torques for threaded connections of LADA Granta units, online
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.
Removing and installing the flashlight
The rear light is accessible from the luggage compartment of the Priora. To directly get to the lamp, you need to pull back the trunk trim.
The process of removing the rear light
- We open the trunk and fold back the upholstery in the rear part of the wing.
- Then you can see 3 wing nuts that hold the flashlight on. We unscrew them while holding it on the other side.
- Next, pull the flashlight towards you and remove it from the rear fender.
- Removing the lamp socket is done by turning it counterclockwise and pulling it towards you.
- Installation is carried out in reverse order.
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.
Agree that this is a very strict measure. Also, do not forget that ignorance of the laws does not exempt you from responsibility. Therefore, under no circumstances should you install LED bulbs on your car in headlights that are not designed for this purpose according to the factory specifications.
Someone might think that the above link to Article 12.5 Part 3 does not directly prohibit the installation of LED lamps in halogen or xenon headlights. But that's not true.
Article 12.5 Part 3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation refers us to the provision on the basic requirements for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety, for violations of which the driver may be held administratively liable.
So, in particular, according to paragraph 3 of the regulations on the basic requirements for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety, the technical condition and equipment of vehicles involved in road traffic, insofar as they relate to road safety and environmental protection environment, must meet the requirements of relevant standards, rules and guidelines for their technical operation.
Accordingly, if a vehicle does not meet the relevant standards, its operation on public roads is prohibited.
According to the list of faults, the operation of vehicles with the type, color, location and operating mode of external lighting devices that do not comply with the design requirements of the vehicle is prohibited.
Here is an excerpt from the law:
List of faults and conditions under which the operation of vehicles is prohibited
3. External lighting devices
3.1. The number, type, color, location and operating mode of external lighting devices do not meet the requirements of the vehicle design.
Note: On discontinued vehicles, it is allowed to install external lighting devices from vehicles of other makes and models.
3.2. Headlight adjustment does not comply with GOST R 51709-2001.
3.3. External lighting devices and reflectors do not work in the prescribed mode or are dirty.
3.4. Light fixtures do not have lenses or use lenses and lamps that do not match the type of light fixture.
3.5. The installation of flashing beacons, the methods of their fastening and the visibility of the light signal do not meet the established requirements.
3.6. Lighting devices with red lights or red light reflectors are installed at the front of the vehicle, and white ones at the rear, except for reversing lights and registration plate lighting, reflective registration, distinctive and identification signs.
The best manufacturers
If you decide to use alternative optics, manufacturers Osram, Koito and Philips are considered the most reliable according to drivers' recommendations. The main advantage of the products of these brands is their long service life. The marking of the optics suitable in this case is H7.
Since these are the manufacturers that car owners try to choose, the market is filled with numerous fakes that cost several times less. There are no visually incriminating differences to be found, and sellers often surprise you with their incompetence or even brazenly guarantee you that the products are original.
A car enthusiast must be able to independently find the differences between the original and the fake, and for this a series of tests have been developed.
As part of the testing, it was determined that counterfeits costing 50 rubles. lamps can be signed by any brand, but their operation is not only ineffective, but also dangerous for the safety of the vehicle.
Let's look at the pros and cons of individual manufacturers using specific examples of optics:
- OSRAM H7. Products of this brand are counterfeited with enviable frequency. The original will fully comply with the standards.
- Philips is the standard best option for those cases where the headlight is correctly adjusted.
- H7 MEGAPOWER 30%! - the least preferred option due to a number of disadvantages: the luminous flux is not standardized, the quality of the base leaves much to be desired, and the light spot also does not meet the state standard. In addition, there is no certification according to European standards - only Russian. The use of such products is not excluded, but it cannot be permanent and long-lasting.
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.
Types of Chinese W5W
Our Chinese brain brothers produce a variety of W5W LED marker lights from cheap to high quality headlights. Well, as always, they often try to attach some famous brand to their products, such as CREE. About 95% of buyers do not understand LEDs, so they are susceptible to deception. And the disappointment is compensated by the low price. Models labeled 15S35 and 5S56 are becoming increasingly popular but have not yet been tested.
Let's compare different types of W5W T10. They are built on LEDs of different generations, from the first to the latest, using COB technology.
- 1st generation, these are ordinary glass convex lenses.
- 2nd generation, square SMD 3528, 5050, 3020.
- 3rd generation, rectangular SMD 5730 and 5630.
- 4th generation COB technology, solid, freeform.
When using dimensions with diode lamps I encountered the same problem. If the LED for size W5W T10 is installed in the same compartment with the high beam halogen, then it melts the plastic base due to its heating. And it is gradually falling into decay.
The design of the projector on which the test samples will be installed.
Headlight design
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.
How to connect fog lights on Lada Priora?
When there is not much left in stock, you just have to disassemble everything and install the PTF, then put everything back together and enjoy the work done. Kidding :-).
- Let's start with the fact that we need to de-energize everything, to do this we remove the “-” terminal of the battery.
- Next, you need to remove the bumper; to do this, unscrew the screws that secure it one by one. The screws that need to be unscrewed are marked in the photo. After all the fasteners are unscrewed, carefully unclip the bumper from the latches and dismantle it completely.
- Next, take a screwdriver and remove the foglight plugs, which are attached with self-tapping screws.
- We prepare our fog lights and proceed to an important stage called “installation of fog lights.” We carefully place the PTFs in their regular places and secure them with the self-tapping screws that secured the plugs. Then we start laying the wiring. The wiring is routed from the inside of the bumper; it is advisable to use corrugated wire.
- The wires need to be pulled into the cabin in the GTZ area; to do this, we take out a special plug, under which the holes we need are hidden. For convenience, it is recommended to remove the frill along with the wipers, as well as the expansion tank with bracket.
- In the cabin, in order to extend and connect the fog lights, you should pull off the trim (sound insulation) and pull the wire into the cabin.
- When the wires are brought into the interior, you can start connecting. The diagram according to which it should be connected is usually included with the PTF kit, but just in case I decided to post the diagram.
- Connecting the fog lights to the button requires the removal of the central panel. When installing the PTF relay in the unit, it is important not to mix up the wires and follow the PTF connection diagram.
Installing fog lights on a Lada Priora is quite an extraordinary task and can be done by any car enthusiast. The only problem is the connection; as a rule, difficulties arise with it. However, if you follow the instructions and carefully study the connection diagram, then everything should work out. If difficulties arise during the connection, I recommend contacting an experienced electrician, he will easily help you for a minimal fee. Before final assembly, do not forget to check everything and make sure that the PTFs are working as they should.
