Headlamp & LED Alignment
Headlamp Repairs, Servicing & Alignment
At A1 Alignment, we have been repairing, servicing, and calibrating headlamps for over 10 years. Through our investment in the latest state-of-the-art equipment and experienced technicians, we can offer an industry-leading service.
Headlamps are one of the key components on a car for safety. headlamps not only lead in the dark and make the road safer, but also help to avoid dangerous hazards and warn other motorists. The adjustment and alignment of the headlamps of your vehicles are often overlooked but are critical.
On many new vehicles, the headlamps can no longer be adjusted themselves but replaced by a level control system. The glare we often encounter from other vehicles on the road is a sign that their headlamps are not aligned correctly.
The 3 Types of headlamps: Halogen, Xenon, and Matrix LEDs
Halogen headlamps
The most common headlamps on the road are Halogen. They are the oldest type of lights and they are being replaced by Matrix LEDs.
This is due to halogens whose energy efficiency and life cycle are poor. LED (stands for light-emitting diodes) replaces the halogen lamps in most new cars and illuminates the vehicle during the day.
LEDs produce crystal clear light and are 80% more efficient. LED lights last 5 times longer than halogens and are cheaper, so you can save money in the long run if you don’t have to replace the LED. The better an LED light is, the longer it spares the vehicle battery and allows it to last longer. LED headlamps illuminate the road better than anything else.
Xenon headlamps
HID (xenon) spotlights have a high discharge intensity that differs from halogen LEDs.With xenon headlamps, it is noticeable that they have a slightly blue color, which they emit.
HD Matrix LED headlamps
Individual LEDs within an HD matrix LED headlamp to produce a glare-free beam of light that is adapted to the driving conditions of the object. The LED generates a small beam that adapts to unilluminated objects in front.
To control and calibrate the headlamp, the car’s control unit must ensure that the LEDs switch off unlit objects and the lighting is in the right area. This requires a special beamsetter and special equipment must be calibrated to the camera. At A1 alignments, we have the equipment and trained individuals to perform these calibrations.
Headlamp MOT failures
A staggering 15% of failed MOT tests were due to electrical such as headlamps The new MOT legislation introduced in 2016 had a strong focus on tougher electrical and light checks. These additional checks are highlighted below with diagrams from the DVLA.
Horizontal cut-off
The method for checking the horizontal cut-off has remained the same but now a headlamp will fail if its horizontal cut off is:
- Above the 0.5% upper limit
- Below the 2.75% lower limit
Dazzle Zone
As highlighted in the diagram below, any white light detected within the ‘dazzle zone’ will result in a failure
Kick up
For cars where kick-ups are applicable, it will fail the test if any is visible within the screen
