How Bright Are Your Car's Headlights?

Headlights are an essential safety feature in modern cars that allow drivers to easily see at night and during rain, sleet and snow. When the sun goes down, you can turn on your headlights from inside your car, thereby improving your visibility and reducing the risk of an accident. Unfortunately, however, not all cars have bright headlights. According to a recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), most 2018 model cars lack the necessary headlight illumination needed to create a driving experience.

For the study, IIHS researches tested more than 160 headlights on 2018 model cars. After analyzing the results, researchers found that only 32 headlights met the necessary criteria for providing ample, safe lighting for drivers. Forty-three of the headlights tested scored a "poor" rating.

The IIHS has been conducting its headlight brightness study since 2016. Back then, only two of the 95 headlights tested scored a "good" rating. While automakers and headlight manufacturers have worked to improve their headlights, the IIHS still found that roughly one-quarter of the headlights tested in 2018 scored a "poor" rating.

“In the past two years, manufacturers have made changes to improve headlights, whether through better aim or the light source itself,” said David Aylor of the IIHS. “But we still see a lot of models where the base headlight is poor, so buyers really have to do their homework to make sure they are getting the best available headlights.”

What should you do if your car's headlights are dim or otherwise not bright? Start by getting your battery tested. The problem may not be attributed to the headlights themselves. Rather, it could be related to a weak or failing battery. You can have your car's battery tested for free by driving to a local auto parts store. Most auto parts store will gladly test your car's battery using a multimeter to ensure that it's able to hold a charge. If your battery is bad, consider replacing it as soon as possible so that it doesn't hinder the performance of your headlights.

Replacing your headlight bulbs with new, brighter bulbs can also improve your visibility while driving. High-intensity discharge (HID) are the brightest automotive headlights on the market. Unlike halogen bulbs, they contain xenon gas that illuminates to project light in front of the vehicle. The only downside is that HID headlight bulbs cost more than halogen bulbs, and they are also more likely to break.

For more information on the IIHS's study involving headlight brightness, click here.