ProfJohnL said:
Not sure what Camels comment is about?
Having done a bit of research into the MOT for cars, as far as I have found the present test does not include any formal test of light intensity.
The only reference to intensity is the Main beams must be similar to each other, and the dipped beams must be similar to each other. But dipped and main beams can be different intensities. It is basically up to the mot examination technician to decide if the intensities are close enough.
UK Beam pattern requirements must still be observed by all types of headlamp light sources. This is checked by the MOT.
Within the current UK lighting regs, HID and LED bulbs are not mentioned, It is accepted that the absence of any mentions of HID or LED systems in the act of parliament technically excludes them from being used. But as the UK is aligned with the EU directives on vehicle lighting, new cars with manufacture fitted HID or LED lighting are permitted in the UK. These will be automatically self levelling and will also have some forms of wash wipe system to keep the outer lens clean.
It is accepted that self levelling suspension is one to satisfy the beam levelling requirement.
As it stands there is no legislation in the UK that permits just the replacement of filament bulbs with HID (and LED) bulbs in older cars. The reason for this is the beam reflectors for filament bulbs will not correctly collect and focus the the light from an HID/LED bulb.
It seems it is permitted to replace the bulb and headlight unit provided the unit is designed for HID/LED type bulbs. Obviously not all older cars will have HID/LED compatible headlight fittings available. It is also a requirement that if HID bulbs are fitted that too must be automatically self levelling and have a wash system to keep the outer lens clear.
See
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/408941/aftermarket-hid-headlamps.pdf
and
]http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/5/made
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/5/made[/quote
LED do not have wash or wash/wipe fitted as standard, not even an option on Mercedes Benz cars with LED. On my new car with LED Intelligent Lighting System I was surprised there is no wash or wash/wipe facility as the recent inclement weather in concert with the very high and flat front end the headlights and the radar sensor both attract dirt moreso than previous saloon cars. The radar gives a warning when the sensors are covered in dirt or ice or snow as I found last week. I wash the headlights every time I de-ice the windows anyway as I use the warm water and squeegee method on both mine and my wife car. Now do the radar sensor too.
The fitment of wash or wash/wipe was a marketing ploy by manufacturers to sell 'upgrade' packages to UK buyers on cars fitted with bi Xenon lights. Continental market MBs for example don't have the wash wipe with BiXenon lights. The self levelling is also a combination of the rear axle sensor and the windscreen mounted camera on newer models. My 2 W221 E class cars had BiXenon with washers but no camera, the S and current GLE have the camera system, the S with BiXenon had washers, the GLE with LED has no washers.
Another thing with LED is the 'active black spot' this is basically the projection of the light beam has a 'black' or no light rectangle in the middle of the light pattern that doesn't light up the car in front in the 'body/window' area of the vehicle. Easier to demonstrate in the car than write the description. The LED lights also project light beyond and around the vehicle in front. The nearside lights the road edge and hedgerow. Headlights 'turn' as the steering wheel does. The 'range' and intensity of the lights changes as the camera detects oncoming lights or reflections from signs. The previous BiXenons also do the last bit. A brilliant advance in technology, except for the lack of washers.
Still doesn't deal with the fitment of dodgy light elements or misalignment.
Once legislation catches up, will soon have self driving cars. Not far off in mine as it can drive itself with the various systems that read road signs and adapt to posted speed limits, maintains distance behind vehicle in front, brakes if pedestrians cross in front, or vehicle approaches from the side or across front/rear, keeps in middle of lane, prevents pulling out if traffic in blind spot and lots of other bits. The missing link is if the vehicle behind doesn't have similar systems and the driver doesn't react to the car on auto.
In practice it works as I found on the M3 yesterday where the right lane had a pile up just ahead of me. Drivers driving too close together, well below posted limit. My car had sensed the traffic bunching, had intervened and slowed me, kept me in lane 1 as lane 2 suddenly stopped with the pile up well behind the swerving cars, operated my brake lights to flash and the hazard lights and switched on the emergency phone facility as it saw the events unfold. The pre safe impact system armed as indicated by the warning triangles in the door mirrors telling us prepare for impact as the seatbelt would tighten, seat backs move upright, head restraints rotate forward, airbags ready. Very clever, but stills requires full attention when driving, something the mangled cars in lane 2 evidently didn't do. Reassuring.
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