Automotive optics play a vital role in terms of the quality of vehicle control and safety. The traditional set of its components is represented by side lights, main headlights, brake lights and turn signals. And it cannot be said at all that this set is preserved and exists within strictly specified parameters. Updates regularly occur in the segment, shapes, sizes and even operating principles of lamps change - just remember LEDs and xenon. A slightly different approach to revising the organization of light is offered by an additional headlight, which is increasingly included in the basic configurations of models of large automakers.

Arguments in favor of additional headlights

The very idea of ​​​​installing additional headlights arose as a means of helping drivers in difficult weather conditions. Improving the light quality of modern optics only slightly improves the quality of lighting in rain, snow and fog. And the means of additional lighting in this regard, of course, provide only advantages. As a result, the additional headlight covers large area roads, without providing negative influence on the driving process itself according to other parameters.

Arguments against additional headlights

First of all, the introduction of an additional light source involves financial costs for its acquisition, installation work and further exploitation. There is no point in purchasing cheap optics for such purposes, since the effect will also be insignificant. And expensive powerful headlights additional light will also affect battery power consumption. Here you can counter with arguments about the importance of safe movement, but how often does the need to connect this light source arise? And in this regard, each car owner must proceed from the operating conditions of the car within their own region. You should also answer another question - what type of additional headlight will be optimal?

Additional high beam headlights

This option is intended for use at night. Studies show that in the dark, even when connecting a standard set of headlights, the driver's visual acuity is reduced by 10%. In turn, additional headlights high beam compensates for this flaw, relieving eye strain. In essence, conditions close to daylight are achieved. This effect is especially enhanced in the case of xenon headlights. Firstly, this lighting option provides at least twice the luminous flux compared to halogen lamps. Secondly, xenon consumes one third less energy, which offsets the lack of additional lighting in terms of energy consumption.

It is also worth noting several negative aspects. If we're talking about about xenon, which will be optimal solution, then you should prepare for significant costs, since it is not cheap. In addition, an additional headlight with high beams cannot always be installed due to the limited number of places available for installing lamps.

Features of additional “low” headlights

Another option for amplifying standard optics, which is used in cases where existing lamps cannot cope with their tasks without obvious weather interference. But even in choosing such a solution, not everything is obvious. A common problem for motorists who decide to integrate additional low-beam headlights is finding an installation location. It is impossible to do without installation manipulations with a slight change in the design.

But that's not all. A problem with many dipped auxiliary light sources is the lack of clear light separation boundaries. As a result, users complain about the glare of oncoming cars. As alternative solution Additional low beam headlights can be replaced with modular optics. In particular, experts recommend the use of Bi-lenses, which are characterized by both a clear boundary of light supply and sufficient lighting.

Additional foglights

Exactly fog lights most fully reflect the concept of additional optics. Their function demonstrates the radical difference between using one standard light And combined option- of course, we are talking about operating the machine in inclement weather. But to achieve the optimal effect, you should choose the right device. First of all, you can safely avoid buying headlights costing less than 3 thousand rubles. Nothing except attractive design, and at best, they will not provide it. Really useful optional fog lights are characterized by a wide-angle beam distribution. And this is the basic rule of choice. Next, you need to give preference to models with clearly defined upper edges. It is very important that the design ensures the supply luminous flux down at a large inclined angle. Such a device will minimize the risk of illumination of oncoming cars.

Installation of additional headlights

The main beam is mounted in the front part, as already mentioned, if there is a design possibility. However, they should not obscure the light of the side lights. From a control point of view, it is important to ensure that these headlights operate simultaneously with the base light. high beam and turn off when switching to low beam optics. As for the “foglights,” these additional light headlights are mounted in the front part symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the car. You should also observe standard distances - the height gap will be 25 cm from the road, but not higher than 80 cm. If we are talking about SUVs, then such devices should not exceed the low beam level. In terms of controlling additional fog optics, it is worth noting that it must maintain functionality regardless of the operation of the main low and high beams.

Conclusion

It is advisable to think about the possibility of providing a car with additional optics even in the process of purchasing a car. Large manufacturers provide new models with such light, initially optimizing the design of the installation sockets for them. This solution is offered both as a basic option and as an element of extended packages. Also, an additional headlight can be installed on some models that are not focused on such improvements. But in this case, it is recommended to think about, in addition to the technical part, the possibility of on-board electrical wiring. Especially if the lighting equipment is also controlled by third-party systems such as alarm systems with access control. As for the justification of this choice, given proper installation, new headlights are unlikely to reduce driving safety, and a positive effect will certainly be ensured to one degree or another.

Sometimes, when operating a car in difficult conditions, modifications to the standard lighting system are required, most of all this applies to SUVs that are used for their intended purpose, namely for off-road driving. There are several options for improving the design, and in this article we will look at the most common of them and tell you how to connect correctly.

What to consider when choosing a specific option

To optional equipment worked as efficiently as possible and did not disrupt the functioning of standard systems, it is necessary to follow a number of recommendations:

Reliability	All-terrain vehicles are operated in difficult conditions, so all light elements used must, firstly, be moisture and dustproof, and secondly, be able to withstand vibrations and deformation effects in the form of branches and other objects. Therefore, you should choose high-quality products that are made reliably; of course, their price will be higher, but they will last much longer
Practicality	Installing low beam headlights according to the principle “the more the better” is not the best idea, since the car will look more like christmas tree, and when driving on public roads you will blind oncoming traffic. Besides, a large number of additional sources of energy consumption can overload the electrical system, which will lead to big problems subsequently
Attractiveness	You shouldn’t install just anything, the headlights should be combined with the rest of the car’s elements and located in the right places, and not just anywhere. Modern manufacturers They offer many options, so choosing the best one will not be difficult
Installation quality	Everyone must be carefully protected. It is best to use special waterproof connectors, so you can do the job efficiently with your own hands. Be sure to secure the headlights carefully, as shaking and vibration may cause the fasteners to loosen.

Types of products and their features

Additional low beam on a car, chosen correctly, will significantly improve the quality of lighting; the most popular today are several options, which we will consider.

Headlights from MTZ

At one time this option was almost the only one; the following can be noted about it:

• Very low production cost, this is without a doubt the most a budget option among all;
• Unpretentiousness– the headlights were originally created for harsh operating conditions, so they withstand any test well;
• The design uses old-style 40-watt lamps, which cost a little, but do not shine very well;
• The appearance of the products is not suitable for every car.

Halogen headlights

It's more modern version, about which the following can be said:

• The products have a more modern appearance , they look much better better than the first option;
• Halogen lamps are available and cost little, plus their light quality is already much higher;
• Most often, products have a universal purpose and can operate in the modes of low beam, high beam and side lights, that is, such elements can replace all standard lighting equipment;

• The cost of the products is also quite affordable, we can say that this is best option from the point of view of the ratio of price-quality factors.

Xenon headlights

This option appeared relatively recently, but is popular for the following advantages:

• Very good light quality, firstly, the equipment shines very far, and secondly, the light spectrum is as close as possible to daylight, due to which vision fatigue is much less;
• Most often, products have very modern design , so they are not only effective, but also attractive, they themselves can give the car an interesting look;
• Ignition units are located in the housing, which greatly simplifies installation, now even a novice motorist can handle the installation;
• Visibility will be improved at least twice, especially if your standard lighting is halogen.

LED equipment

This option appeared relatively recently, but is becoming increasingly popular due to the following advantages:

• Energy consumption indicator of this type products are several times lower than any other analogue, which reduces the load on the vehicle’s electrical equipment;
• The quality of the light also meets the highest standards and is practically not inferior to xenon, while the elements do not heat up during operation;

• The service life of LED products ranges from 25 to 30 thousand hours, which is tens of times longer than any other option, this is especially important. Also, the design does not contain fragile elements - filament and glass flask, which is also a huge advantage;
• You can also use an option such as an LED beam, it consists of several high-power lamps arranged in a row. Such designs provide best quality lighting.

Important!
This option has one big drawback - high cost, but if you value quality, then best solution can not found.

Everything is quite simple, but nevertheless it’s worth telling about the work:

• First of all, choose where to place the structure - in front of the frame or bumper, or on top of the expedition rack;
• Wires are used for connection reliable insulation(). The system must include 15 Ampere fuses, as well as an additional relay. It is also necessary to install an additional switch in the cabin; the entire structure is shown in the diagram below.

Installation of additional low beam headlights is done as follows: first, the headlights are attached and the wires are laid so that they are hidden, then all the required connections are connected, and the design is checked for functionality. As you can see, the instructions are simple and clear.

Conclusion

Connection work is simple, the main thing is to choose reliable option and lay the cable in such a way as to prevent its damage. The video in this article will help you understand the issue even better.

Hi all!
A little about installing additional high beam headlights. on FF2 restyle
I couldn’t find any information on the forum, so when I made it for myself, I decided to write it in case it might come in handy for someone..
(Unfortunately, I took the photo after finishing the work, so what’s inside is not visible, well, don’t take it apart again)
I’ll make a reservation right away - I installed it not for beauty, but because I travel a lot intercity. those. so that they light the road, and not warm the soul :-)) how it will look doesn’t really matter.

On official dealer They refused to install it for me, they said that they don’t have such work - to attach additional ones. headlights.
They only agreed to lay the wires. True, I had to redo it myself later anyway, but that doesn’t matter anymore. - there is paper, which means the guarantee is alive

The fastening had to be made by the collective farm myself.

What requirements were taken into account:
1) the headlights must be firmly fixed to the supporting steel elements (otherwise they will shake)
2) Integrity of external elements of the a.m. (bumpers, wings, etc.) must be preserved, since the vehicle is a service vehicle and must be returned later.

During the study of the design of the front end, the front plastic panel-insert in the bumper (the one on which the number is attached) was removed, and under it BINGO!!! On the power steel transverse beam, special “ears” brackets with 10mm holes were found.
Note that the dealer is not aware of them!

Then it's a matter of technique:
Try on the correspondence of these “ears” with the point at which you need to drill plastic panel insert and drill a 10mm hole at these points
Then drill a wide hole with a core drill (not sure what exactly that is called).

Why do you need a wide hole:
1) allows you to correct the inaccuracy of the first drilling.
2) allows the plastic bumper to move freely (“play”) relative to the beam while driving on uneven surfaces. This is built into the design, so you cannot tightly tighten the bumper and beam with the headlight mounting bolt.
With a wide hole, the headlights are attached only to a rigid steel beam and do not come into contact with the bumper.
3) Allows you to insert wonderful rubber plugs from the VAZ-2108 into the holes (15-20 rubles at any car market)






Those. If you then remove the headlights and insert these plugs, then on the outside of the car there will be only two neat rubber circles, and in a plastic panel, which can be easily and inexpensively replaced.
Accordingly, I chose a core drill specifically for the plug (28 - 32 mm. I don’t remember exactly)

In order to secure the headlights in the brackets on the beam, the bolts from the headlight kit (M10 with square heads) are not suitable (short)
It took two ordinary M10X100 bolts plus 3 nuts each (well, washers, grommets)
The bolt heads had to be cut off with a grinder, to the thickness of the bolt head from the kit for the headlights, since the head of a regular M10 bolt is much thicker, and the headlight would not fit into place in its mount on the U-shaped bracket.
Here, for understanding, is a bottom view of a bolt with a ground head in a U-shaped bracket

Assembly order this tricky design is:
1) We put the U-shaped headlight bracket on the bolt.
2) We put on the washer and grower.
3) Screw on the nut that will press the headlight bracket to the head of the bolt until it stops (but don’t tighten it yet)
4) Screw the second nut onto the bolt, but not all the way (see picture)
and put on the washer.
5) Apply (but do not snap yet) the plastic panel to the bumper
6) We insert the bolt together with the elements put on it through the wide hole in the panel and the hole in the “ear”
7) We put our hand under the panel and put it on the protruding bolt from the inside: a washer, a screw and a nut.
8) Tighten all the nuts in place, starting with the nuts securing the bolt to the “ear” on the beam.
9) We put the headlight housing (without the optical element) on the U-shaped bracket and check that it is in a horizontal position with a margin. (if not, loosen the nuts securing the bolt to the “ear” and increase the length by which the bolt protrudes from the bumper.
10) Repeat all steps with the second bolt/headlight.
11) Connect the wires
12) We assemble the headlights (housings and optical elements), check that the headlights work.
13) Tighten all the nuts completely and snap the panel into place.
14) Adjust the headlight beam.

Headlights: Hella Comet 450
Of course, I wanted Rally 1000, or something more powerful, but:
1) I got them at a great price.
2) Large headlights mean more weight, and the lever between the mount and the c.t. The headlights turned out to be decent - there were fears that they would dangle.
3) As it turned out during fitting, the headlights bigger size they would close the number.

What happened in the end?
From the light's point of view:
1) the headlights hold securely and do not shake.
2) significantly increased the illuminated distance.
Here is a photo:

B lizhny

Far staff

Long range + extras.

I took the photo immediately after placing it, in the yard, but on the highway, believe me, the difference is more impressive.

Whether it’s beautiful or not - let everyone decide for themselves.

More comments:
To make it easier to tighten the nuts from the inside, I removed the main headlights from the car and inserted the key from there.
If there is a lift or overpass, you can remove the lower plastic casing between the bumper and the protection. Then in general it will be very convenient to drill and fasten. I didn't have a lift and I did without it.
You can also throw out the unreliable license plate frame and screw it right through to the panel with M6 bolts. No one but you can remove it now