Osram is the leading manufacturer of automotive lighting products, and their products are used as standard equipment by many of the major leading car manufacturers. However alongside their standard range of 12 volt headlight bulbs, Osram has also produced an upgrade range of headlight bulbs for drivers looking for improved lighting and styling performance from their headlight bulbs.

There are three improved styles for the headlight bulbs. These are Osram Silver Star, Osram Cool Blue, and Osram Night Breaker. Each of these bulbs has been determined as legal for the road and has the European testing standards E1 branding. These lights are designed to replace the standard equipment, thus they fit directly into the connectors and holders without need for a tool or modification.

To determine which of the new Osram headlight bulbs you want it is best to find out what light bulbs your vehicle already has. This information can be found in two different places. Your car’s owner manual should list the style and rating of your headlight bulbs. Your other option is to use the words “Car Bulbs Finders” in the Google search engine. It will then list online auto bulb dealers, which have car guides online for you to use.

Osram Cool Blue has been designed for a driver who wants a different look for their car. The Cool Blue design has blue tinted glass that provides a blue light a lot like the xenon bulbs.

There are ECE rules which limit the degree of blue light your headlights are allowed to have. Osram Cool Blue bulbs are dark and street legal, and one of the only ones you can find.

The Osram Silverstar bulbs are tailored to improve a drivers night time visibility, and is a considerable improvement over the standard halogen headlight bulbs. Crucially the Osram Silverstar is designed to produced 50% more light onto the road, especially in the 50 to 75 meter range therefore enabling a driver to react earlier to hazards, road signs and potential obstacles.

The Osram Night Breaker is considered the flagship of bulbs due to the pressurised xenon gas construction. There is also a different filament construction to the bulb helping to emit more light. In fact the Night Breaker has 90 percent more light and 35 metres more distance than halogen for night driving. The light emitted is 10 percent clearer.

Keen motorists who want the best sight and performance from their headlights should make the choice of the Osram Night Breaker.

By choosing the upgraded lights like Osram Cool Blue, Silver Star, or Night Breaker you will have better night driving safety and lights that fit your needs.

If you want better vision for driving at night you should fit new Headlight Bulbs so you can see and been seen more clearly. The latest range of aftermarket, retro fit Xenon Bulbs are designed for professional drivers who travel long distances, often in poor light or night time conditions when good forward vision is crucial.

As your temperature gauge rises higher than normal, going closer to the red zone, you are given the first indicator that your engine is overheating. The second indication is the warning light your vehicle has to tell you the car is running hot. This light is typically found on the dashboard, and you may see steam rising from the bonnet. When any of these signs appear you need to stop driving the vehicle. To continue driving is asking for brutal and costly injury to the engine.

At any time that you see a warning light that your engine is running hot you should pull of the road and turn the car off. You should not continue to a service station or mechanics garage. The injury to your car will be a lot worse, especially to the cylinder head. The cylinder head can warp or crack under increased temperatures, and is very costly to swap out.

As soon as you are off the street you need to turn your hazard lights on for the other drivers around you. If there is no fire coming from under the bonnet you can open it in order to get more air to the engine, helping it cool off. You should never touch the engine as it can burn you.

It can take several minutes or hours for the engine to cool. If you have an overheated engine during the night you will want to keep your sidelights running, to help other drivers see your car. You can also turn on the headlights to help you see what you are doing.

After the engine has decreased in temperature the first thing to check is the coolant. This is usually the first fluid to be low when your car overheats. By adding water to the radiator you are able to give it fluid. The water should not be too cold as it can crack the container the fluid is held in. Water is not the typical fluid to use, but in an emergency it works fine. The water will dilute the coolant called antifreeze. You will need to have the system flushed by a mechanic before winter to avoid freezing the coolant.

The filler cap on the coolant can still be extremely hot even after the engine has cooled down. Underneath the cap is pressure which will cause steam to rise when it is released. This could burn your hand. It is imperative to make sure the radiator is cool to the touch, as well as to use a rag to cover your hand when you open the filler cap.

Stand a way from the engine when you are filling it with water so that you will not be splashed by the warmer liquid. You will also need to stop frequently to check the fluid levels as there is a minimum and maximum line to fill to. Once you have filled the reservoir you can check the engine temperature gauge. If it is back to normal you may proceed on your drive.

It is safe to drive if the coolant was the issue; however there could be another issue which has caused the engine to overheat. You will want to avoid long trips until you can get the car into the garage. If the engine gets hot shortly after you begin to drive again, pull over and call for roadside recovery to tow your vehicle to a garage.

If you are planning on a long motoring trip as well as checking under the bonnet, you should make sure your all your Car Bulbs are working correctly before setting off. It is also important to carry spare Headlight Bulbs with you so that if a bulb blows you can still carry on motoring safely.

Driving in great weather is something many of us love to do. We like to go out, feel the warm weather and let the sun shine down while we visit the country. Daily commutes tend to get boring, and stagnate. With new views and fresh air it is possible to enjoy your cars power while staying within the laws of the road.

When driving on country roads there is a danger- the tightening radius bend that is well known for creating several accidents. On a normal corner the radius will remain the same as you make the turn, thus you will leave the steering in the same position. With curves the tightening radius bend may vary, thus you have to change the steering lock as you move further into the curve.

A good illustration of this is when a car crashes because the driver did not properly reduce their speed or consider that the curve may change as the bend continues. Often times a corner will change in the bend, tightening and thus requiring a lower speed.

To try and stay on the road, the driver may change the wheel or steering lock, and unfortunately the speed is usually too much. This causes the car to be under steered. The driver may fight this feeling by hitting the brakes, which will worsen the condition. In this situation the vehicle will hit traffic coming down the other lane or it may wind up in a ditch.

The problem is further compounded on country roads because hedges, bushes, or trees can obscure a drivers site regarding a bend. Therefore they are unprepared for the change in the corner and danger ensues.

If you want to avoid being a statistic you will want to use visual cues. Before entering a curve make sure you are going the proper speed by braking or if need be changing the gears.

Light poles or telephone poles are the best visual cues you have in regards to a curve that is obstructed. The poles can indicate a change is going to occur in the road, thus giving you warning. At night these types of cues can be difficult to see, so using an oncoming car’s headlights for warning is also acceptable. You should enter a bend at a safe speed to remain on your side of the road and avoid an unbalanced car when you hit the middle of the curve.

Once the bend starts to open out again and you can see clearly ahead you can begin to accelerate. Remember driving in the countryside holds other hazards for unsuspecting drivers, like slippery mud on the road, slow moving tractors and errant livestock. So always think “what if” when deciding on the appropriate speed for a bend.

You can maximise the chances of being seen by other road users by switching on your standard headlight bulbs, even if you are driving during the day. You can now also upgrade them to brighter xenon bulbs like the bulbs found here, as studies have show daytime running car light can dramatically lower the chances of a road traffic collision.

A good driver is always constantly critically observing the road ahead and using their skill to anticipate the effect of any potential hazards on their progress, and reacting accordingly before the need to brake sharply. However the unexpected can still happen and knowing how to brake safely in an emergency will ensure you stop safely and remain in full control of your vehicle.

One aspect of import when braking is to try to maintain a straight line. If you weave or corner during a braking situation the rear end of the car will be lighter than the front. This can make a situation of skidding or spinning. At the very least your tyres will have more demand on them, affecting their grip and your control of the situation.

If there is ever a need to use heavy brakes when you go around a curve, you should apply the brakes gently and progressively allowing the transfer of weight to be less on the front and control to remain in your hands.

Vehicles sold today have ABS or anti lock braking systems. As a standard in automotives you have control and stability of your car in several situations. When braking or going around a corner ABS can make it easier. Still, ABS has limits for what it can handle.

The ABS system has a detection segment for when the wheels actually lock. The brakes will release. This release is short, but it helps keep the wheels from locking up. The system repeats this hundreds of times a second to ensure the wheels do not lock. It is a faster option than what a regular driver can handle.

ABS establishes a situation in which the wheels will continue to revolve, without locking up, when heavy braking is needed. It allows steering to remain in your control, the tyres to grip the road, and you to avoid any danger.

The effect of ABS can normally be felt as a gentle pulsing through the brake pedal or by a distinct grinding sound. Its important that if you hear or feel these signs that you do not lift of the brake, but instead continual the heavy braking to ensure you stop in the shortest distance whilst making maximum use of the ABS.

ABS is a most effective system for heavy or emergency braking. It makes sure you can brake in a safe and controlled manner. You must realise that it cannot defy physics, which means driving to quickly on wet roads can lead to accidents even with ABS.

If need to brake harshly then, if possible, you should warn the other drivers behind you by switching on your indicator bulbs. It is also worth considering carrying a spare bulb kit in your vehicle so that if, for example, a brake light bulb has blown it can been changed quickly and easily.

Are your headlights burning out more quickly than you believe they should? There are plenty of causes for why your headlights may be ending their life early. Once you identify the issue you can save yourself money because you do not need to replace or change the bulbs as frequently.

The Times You Use Your Headlights Affect their Usage

The typical expected lifespan of a standard halogen headlight bulb is around 350 to 400 hours, so if you are driving a lot during the long winter nights or even if you keep your headlights on during the day it is possible that your bulbs could only last 2 to 3 months.

When you update your headlights to new xenon bulbs they are meant to last for 200 hours, however their light projection is much more than the standard bulb. Drivers who use their headlights for long periods of time can reduce the need for changing out their bulbs by getting a longer life bulb.

Long lifespan bulbs are meant to be durable and high quality with the materials used to make them. This means they last up to three times longer than your regular halogen bulb. They still offer the same lighting capabilities as the original bulbs.

When You Changed the Bulbs Did You Touch the Glass?

If you touch the glass section of the headlight bulb with bare hands, the natural oils within your skin will leave a small residue of grease behind. Once the halogen bulb is illuminated this oil patch will create a hotspot within the bulb and lead to it failing early. Therefore it is a good idea to wear latex gloves when installing new halogen bulbs.

Moisture or Vibration Affects Light Bulbs

Whilst most of the major bulb manufacturers used toughened glass in the construction of their headlight bulbs, they are still vulnerable to the effects of thermal shock. This means that if they come into contact with water that has leaked into the headlight unit, then it is very likely that the bulb will be damaged. It is also important to ensure the bulb is securely installed as otherwise the extra jolts and bumps it will be subjected to can damage the filament

Is The Car’s Electrical System Working Correctly?

The connectors in the headlight holder are electric. They are the source of power from the battery to the bulb, and these metal connectors need to be properly secured to the base on the headlights. If this does not occur a short circuit or blown bulb will result.

You may want to check the alternator as well, since it could provide too much charge to the battery thereby increasing the volt that the bulb receives. The headlight bulb can only handle up to 13.2 volts of power.

Are You Buying Good Quality Headlight Bulbs?

Inexpensive is something you tend to look for because you want to save money, but it is not always better. Quality of the materials used to create the light bulbs has a direct effect on how long they will last. Osram and Philips are two top manufacturers of light bulbs. The highest rating for bulbs is called the E1 mark, which Osram and Philips have. It means testing and quality has been found to be the best.

To avoid the hassle and expense of needing to replace your headlights too frequently you should aim to always install high quality Car Bulbs. Whilst high quality bulbs may cost a premium you will save in the long run as your Headlight Bulbs will last longer and produce a better light quality.

Driving late at night, especially on dark unlit roads can often make your headlight bulbs feel as powerful as a candle in a jam jar. Unfortunately very few drivers realise that they can easily replace their existing halogen headlight bulbs with the very latest upgrade xenon bulbs. These high performance bulbs emit up to 90 percent more light than halogen, are completely road legal and can be fitted without the need for any modifications.

The History of Light Bulbs

To understand how xenon bulbs can improve the light output from your headlights, it is probably a good idea to see how the bulbs have developed, but don’t worry the history is very brief. The first headlight bulbs were very basic affairs using incandescent lights until, in the 1960s, car bulb manufacturers introduced the first halogen bulb, which was called the H1.

The creation of the bulb requires an airtight glass which is filled with a halogen mixture. Halogen burned brighter than their predecessors. To improve the lights further, the car manufacturers modified the filament. The filament is the metal wire coil in the centre of the light bulb. The filament allowed a higher beam intensity, which made more light. This light could extend further from the car than incandescent light bulbs.

Over the years car manufacturers working with light bulbs have tried to increase the light output even more. They also wanted to have a bulb that would last longer. With this idea in mind these manufacturers decided to use xenon gas instead of halogen pressurising it. Xenon gas has a higher intensity when it burns, which makes a clearer white. Halogen bulbs are a dull yellow when comparing the two different bulbs.

The headlight bulb manufacturers also worked on improving the metal filament coil and thanks to precision design, construction and materials, xenon bulbs can project a beam of light from your headlights up to 35 metres further down the road than ordinary halogen headlight bulbs.

Xenon Bulbs are direct Replacements for Halogen headlight Bulbs

Xenon light bulbs, due to the resources used, are identical in appearance to the halogen bulbs. For this very reason, halogen can be replaced with xenon by a simple upgrade. You simply remove the old bulb and install the new xenon lights in the same holder.

The holders and connectors for the xenon bulbs are the exact same as halogen. There is no increase in voltage or wattage, which means you can change the bulbs safely. You do not have to modify or cut wires in the car to make them work. The laws of the UK and Europe do allow xenon to be used on the roads.

Fitting xenon bulbs will improve both how far and how much of the road ahead you can see, making night driving safer and less stressful as you can see potential hazards earlier and react to them quicker. So as you can see, when it comes to comparing halogen headlight bulbs with modern xenon bulbs there really is no comparison.

Fitting a new pair of brighter xenon headlight bulbs is a quick and easy way to enhance your car lights and modernise your vehicle. To ensure your sidelights match your new xenon lights you can now also fit LED car lights that produce a crisply bright light and last for well over 50,000 hours.

Driving requires you to observe and focus, especially when you are driving at high speeds like a motorway would require. Sometimes spending several hours on the same road each day can begin to get boring, and you let your guard down. Bad behaviours begin to appear when you start to feel bored while driving. It is necessary for you to keep alert assessing situations because they can change quickly, even dangerously, which requires quick reaction from you.

Not surprisingly the incorrect speed for road environment is the largest cause of accidents on the highway. Drivers with an excellent car going 70 miles per hour need 20 metres to react to a change in road conditions, and another 50 metres to bring the car to a stop. This example is based on having the tyres and brakes in perfect working order. Total it takes 70 metres or more for a car to be stopped in an emergency.

These increased stopping distances at motorway speeds demonstrate the need to maintain at least a two second gap between you and the vehicle in front. To gauge your distance, pick out a roadside marker and then count how long it takes your vehicle to reach it after the car in front has passed it by.

Sadly there will always be an inconsiderate driver who uses your two second safety gap to pull in, in front of you, and they may even undertake you to do this. However, whilst their foolhardy driving is no doubt annoying and frustrating you need to protect your own safety by maintaining the safety zone.

Tailgating by another driver is a potential hazard you want to avoid. Whenever possible you should pull off the road and let the tailgater pass. You should not allow them to draw you into the same behaviour. The chances are the reckless driver will eventually cause an accident, and you do not want to be in the mix when that happens.

Traffic on a motorway can change suddenly. A traffic jam can occur before you are aware. To protect yourself from dangerous situations you should make sure you are looking ahead. By glancing as far ahead as you can you can spot hazards, thus you can warn other drivers, by switching on your hazard lights, of the issue.

If you have been driving on the motorway for a while it can be easy to feel quite bored and inadvertently let your mind wander, especially as very little driving input is required in terms of steering or gear changes. Ideally you need to aim to stop every two hours at a service centre to combat this fatigue and give yourself a chance to relax and refresh before continuing on your journey.

If you still have some distance to go before you have the chance to pull off of the motorway and rest, then there are a few things you can do to help fight the fatigue. Consider turning the air conditioning down to cold or opening a window to get some fresh air onto your face. Turn up the radio or start a conversation with your passenger and switch off any driver aids, like cruise control, to sharpen up your concentration and awareness levels.

It is very easy to become complacent when driving on the motorway in a nice warm car listening to your favourite music. However you need to maintain your concentration and observation levels throughout the journey and be ready for any potential hazards when they occur, because when accidents happened on a motorway they happen very quickly and often with fatal consequences.

To help improve a driver’s night time vision and safety on the motorway many cars now come fitted with D2S Bulbs as standard. For cars fitted with normal headlights a new xenon range of upgrade bulbs, like the H1 xenon bulbs, are designed to quickly and easily replace ordinary halogen bulbs.

Care should be taken when driving in foggy weather. The potential for accidents is greater because no one can see with any clarity and some drivers may not change their driving habits for the inclement conditions.

Fog can be quite thick, thus you might elect to wait until the mist lifts before going on with your drive. However, if you must travel there are some hints and suggestions that can be offered to ensure a safe journey.

Before setting off it is vital that you check that your windscreen is clear and that all of your lights including your fog lights are working correctly. When the visibility falls to below 100 meters then you should switch on your fog lights to improve visibility and allow other road users to see you more clearly. It is best not to use your main beam headlights in foggy conditions because the bright light that they produce will reflect of the moisture in the fog and reduce your vision further.

As a result of low visibility a common problem in foggy weather is that other drivers are too close to the vehicle in front of them. They tend to feel more comfortable with rear lights in their sights. Some drivers also feel that driving more quickly will help get them on the other side of the fog faster. Both thoughts can lead to accidents on the road. In foggy weather it is best to drive at a safe speed in which you can stop without issue. You also need to use your speedometer to assess your speed since visual information is restricted.

Fog occurs because the air has become cooled down below its dew point, and so the level and thickness of the fog will vary greatly depending on the prevailing environmental and geographic conditions.

Typical times and places to expect fog are normally on cold winter mornings in low lying ground, valleys or significant dips. Because the fog can change thickness and in turn reduce visibility very quickly, you will constantly need to reassess the conditions and tailor your driving accordingly.

Once you have achieved more than 100 metres of visibility you must turn off your fog lights. The law states that this is a requirement and it is also unpleasant for oncoming cars. Dont forget to turn off the fog lights on the back of your car as they can disguise your brake lights which can be a hazard.

There is no doubt that driving in foggy conditions can be very demanding, however it is possible to stay safe providing you drive in a manner appropriate to the conditions and give other roads users plenty of space.

When driving in heavy mist good visibility is crucial, and you can maximise this by installing Xenon Car Bulbs. By enhancing the beam produced by your headlights, for example by installing high performance H7 Bulbs, you will be able to see further into the fog and other drivers will also see you more clearly.