Welke koplampen heeft mijn auto?

Different types of car lights?

Although fewer accidents occur at night than during the day, the number of fatal accidents is actually higher during nighttime hours. To reduce the risk of accidents in the dark or in poor visibility, it is essential that all of your car’s lights and bulbs are always working optimally. When the performance of the bulbs on your vehicle begins to decline, it is high time to replace them.

Cars are equipped with various types of bulbs, such as halogen, LED, or xenon. In the following sections, we will explain the differences between these various types of lighting.

When replacing bulbs, it is not only important to know what type of car bulb you need, but also which bulb bases are used. That is why we present the most important types of car bulbs here, including an overview of the available bulb bases. With our guide, you will become a true expert on car bulbs!

Different types of car bulbs

If you want to know which bulbs are suitable for your car, it is important to first determine what type of lighting your vehicle uses: LED, halogen, or xenon. Traditionally, halogen bulbs are still the most commonly used, with their recognizable yellow glow for low beams, turn signals, brake lights, and interior lighting in older models.

Modern cars are increasingly using LED lighting, which not only replaces halogen and xenon bulbs for low and high beams but also for other applications such as turn signals and brake lights. Xenon bulbs are also popular because of their cool, blue light.

Each type of halogen bulb is marked with an H and a specific number, such as H1, H3, H4, H7, depending on the bulb type. Always consult your car’s manual to find the correct bulb for each application.

What types of bulb bases are available for car bulbs?

As mentioned earlier, it is important to know not only which bulb is suitable for your car, but also what type of base is required. Unlike traditional bulbs, automotive bulbs do not always have a screw-in connection.

Overview of the most common bulb bases in motor vehicles:

• W: Glass-base bulb

• P: Flat-base bulb

• E: Threaded base

• SV: Bulb with two caps

• R: Bulb diameter 19 mm, base diameter 15 mm

• P: Bulb diameter 26.5 mm, base diameter 15 mm