LED upgrades: who benefits and how?

Want to replace a car’s original halogen bulbs with a higher-performance option? Philips LED upgrades provide superior lighting and a sharper look with a simple twist of the wrist.

Upgrades are a common feature of hotels, travel or car rentals, but did you know you can also upgrade your car lights thanks to LED technology, even if the vehicle isn’t originally LED-equipped? The Philips-branded LED upgrade or LED retrofit ranges have been designed to transform a conventional lighting system and give your car’s look a new lease on life, without changing either the entire headlamp unit or the car itself. At night, nobody can see the difference between a new vehicle equipped with full LED lighting and a vehicle whose original halogen lamps have been retrofitted with LED upgrades.

The enthusiasts’ bulb

But why upgrade your vehicle’s lights when the existing halogen or conventional bulbs already do a perfectly fine job? Firstly, the design of LED lamps is proven to provide better lighting. Compared to the minimum legal standard for halogen bulbs, LED upgrades powered by Lumileds and sold under the Philips brand yield up to 250% brighter light¹. Better lighting means better visibility, and with that comes increased safety and greater comfort for both the driver and others on the road. Secondly, LED technology – and this goes for the high-quality LED upgrade range – lasts longer than halogen bulbs. While a halogen bulb typically needs replacing every 1-3 years, Philips LED upgrade bulbs shine in comparison, up to 12 years². In addition, LED bulbs are far less energy hungry. An H4 halogen lamp consumes 55 Watts, whereas its LED equivalent (LED-HL [≈H4]) uses just around 20 Watts. This significant reduction in energy use can help conventional cars reduce CO2 emissions and electric or hybrid models extend their operating range.

Car enthusiasts, technology fans, the sustainably-minded and car owners wanting better-looking, better-performing rides can all benefit from an LED upgrade that will stand out on the road while making every drive safer.

Useful to know:

Under current European Union law, halogen or xenon bulbs must be replaced with the same type of bulb. Automotive parts in the European Union must be certified as conforming to UN-ECE specifications for use on public roads. Current ECE certification only applies to halogen, xenon and LED bulbs fitted to new vehicles: