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Many people ignore information such as marking headlights for xenon, although it contains a lot of useful information. Also, not all car enthusiasts know how gas-discharge lamps differ from conventional or halogen lamps, their advantages and disadvantages. This article will reveal the main nuances associated with this type of automotive optics and help you decide whether you need such headlights or not.

How does the marking of xenon headlights affect

on the intensity of the glow and for what conditions is this or that type of lamp suitable? A beginner is unlikely to understand this issue right away. But we will start from afar.

Xenon optics are rightfully considered more efficient in comparison with the same halogen lamps. And also an important advantage is that it is the least likely to tire the driver’s eyes, which, you see, directly depends on traffic safety. By the way, not every car owner can afford such optics, but xenon is more affordable and therefore more popular.

Xenon markings

The changed system began to dictate more stringent requirements for xenon owners.
That is why many people needed knowledge in the field of marking such headlights. The headlight itself can contain one or two lamps, respectively, one lamp can perform the functions of high and low beam. Such headlights fall under the CR
, for headlights with incandescent lamps.

Halogen lights are marked HC

– low beam and
HR
high beam.
Xenon headlights come with the DC/DR index, which means that this headlight contains two lamps: low beam and high beam. DCR
index indicates that the headlight contains one lamp, which provides two modes.
DC/HR
- only low-beam xenon beams are installed in such headlights.

What to choose from?

The auto parts market offers a large number of types of xenon optics, which can easily be installed even on a small car. And the price for such kits can be only a few thousand rubles, which, you see, is attractive. You just need to understand one “BUT”. Since 2014, the traffic rules have been updated and a note about homemade xenon headlights has appeared. We are talking, after all, about those kits that are offered on car markets.

The fact is that such xenon can cause a number of inconveniences for drivers of oncoming cars, blinding them and reducing the overall level of safety on the road. But we will throw away all legal norms and talk about xenon and its markings.

What is the difference between lamps?

A standard halogen lamp is very different in design from a xenon lamp (see article "?"). In halogen, the light source is a tungsten wire (analogous to an incandescent lamp), while in xenon this part is replaced by an arc located in a quartz flask filled with inert gases. For a rough comparison, you can take spark plugs; they work on the same principle, with the difference that a spark jumps out periodically.

Xenon headlights, as you might have guessed, are powered by high voltage and, as a rule, thick wires are connected to them.

The standard operating range of such lamps is 25,000 – 28,000 V

. Just imagine how gigantic this tension is! But it does not need to be maintained constantly; we are talking about the moment the lamp is ignited. At the moment of combustion, it requires no more than 80 V.

The car's standard electrics are designed to work with 12 V equipment and such xenon kits cannot be powered by it. Ignition units usually come with xenon headlights.

With the introduction of additions to the traffic rules, the marking of xenon headlights became a subject of study for car owners. Moreover, both beginners and drivers with extensive driving experience need this information, as this will help prevent problems from arising if the car is stopped by a traffic police inspector.

Jungar-kz › Blog › Headlight markings (halogen, xenon)

C - low beam, R - high beam, CR - dual-mode (low and high beam) light with incandescent lamps (UNECE Rules No. 112, GOST R 41.112-2005);
HC - low beam, HR - high beam, HСR - dual-mode light with halogen incandescent lamps (UNECE Rules No. 112, GOST R 41.112-2005); DC - low beam, DR - high beam, DСR - dual-mode light with gas-discharge light sources (UNECE Rules No. 98, GOST R 41.98-99). International designation for headlight markings C – low beam R – high beam H – only with halogen headlight HCR – low and high beam with halogen bulb DC – low beam xenon DCR – high and low beam xenon PL – plastic lens S – headlight lamp (all glass) B – fog light A – side light

HC: Halogen low beam HCR: Halogen low and high beam HC/R: Halogen low and high beam

Headlight markings for xenon DC: Xenon low beam DR: Xenon high beam DC/R: Xenon low or high beam

If there is an arrow on the headlight, then such a headlight is used specifically for left-hand traffic, and without an arrow for right-hand traffic. And if the arrow is on both sides, then it can be used for left- and right-hand traffic.

Each vehicle must have the starting low beam angle indicated on the headlamp housing, or on a special plate under the hood, or on a general nameplate. Typically the starting angle is 1.0-1.5%. There must be a tilt angle corrector, since when the car is loaded, the initial angle changes.

The brake signal is designated S1 (red). The tail light signal is indicated by R (red). The general designation of the lamp for signal and size is R-S1. The additional brake light is designated S3 (red). Designation of the front turn signal 1, 1b, 5 - side, 2a - rear (they emit orange light). Turn signals also come in a transparent color (white light), but they shine orange due to the orange lamps inside.

Cars that are designed specifically for the North American market do not have European lighting markings. The turn indicators on the “Americans” are red, but there are other combinations, for example, orange, and the rear ones are red. Canadian models have orange turn signals, but no side turn signals. They also don't have fog lights, which are mandatory in Europe. Retroreflectors are designated IA. The side reflectors are orange. The rear license plate light is designated L. Side marker lights are required on long vehicles over 6 meters in length. They have an orange light and the designation SM1 and SM2 (for passenger cars). And for the rear there is a red light. On trailers it is necessary to install a triangular reflector, designated IIIA, and contour lights.

The letter “E” is followed by the number of the country in which the headlights were approved.

Below is a breakdown of the main countries that approve automotive optics:

1. Germany, 2. France, 3. Italy, 4. Netherlands, 5. Sweden, 6. Belgium, 7. Hungary, 8. Czech Republic, 9. Spain, 10. Yugoslavia, 11. Great Britain, 12. Austria, 13. Luxembourg, 14. Switzerland, 16. Norway, 17. Finland, 18. Denmark, 19. Romania, 20. Poland, 21. Portugal, 23. Greece

Type of light emitted

Typically, information about the type of light emitted is indicated somewhere in the immediate vicinity of the circled symbol. So, in addition to the above types of radiation (halogen, xenon, LED), there are also the following designations:

• Letter L. This designates the light sources for the rear license plate of a car.
• The letter A (sometimes combined with the letter D, which means that the homologation refers to a pair of headlights). The designation corresponds to front marker lamps or side lamps.
• The letter R (similarly, sometimes in combination with the letter D). This is the designation for the rear parking light.
• Combinations of characters S1, S2, S3 (similarly, with the letter D). This is how brake lights are designated.
• Letter B. This is how the front fog lights are designated (in Russian designation - PTF).
• Letter F. The designation corresponds to the rear fog lamp, which is mounted on cars, as well as towbars.
• Letter S. The designation corresponds to an all-glass headlamp.
• Designation of the front turn signal 1, 1B, 5 - side, 2a - rear (they emit orange light).
• Turn signals also come in a transparent color (white light), but they shine orange due to the orange lamps inside.
• AR symbol combination. This is how reversing lights installed on cars and trailers are marked.
• Letters RL. This is how fluorescent lamps are marked.
• Combination of letters PL. These symbols correspond to headlights with plastic lenses.
• 02A - this is how the sidelight (size) is designated.

It is interesting that cars intended for the North American market (United States of America, Canada) do not have the same designations as European ones, but they do have their own. For example, turn signals on American cars are usually red (although there are others). The symbol combinations IA, IIIA, IB, IIIB are reflectors. Symbol I corresponds to reflectors for motor vehicles, symbol III corresponds to towed devices, and symbol B corresponds to built-in headlights.

According to the rules, side marker lights must be installed on American cars longer than 6 meters. They are orange in color and designated SM1 and SM2 (for passenger cars). The rear lights emit a red light. On trailers it is necessary to install a triangular reflector, designated IIIA, and contour lights.

What are the markings for xenon and halogen headlights?

Each headlight and each vehicle ignition unit, in accordance with the UN Economic Commission for Europe Rules No. 19 and Interstate Standards 41.99-99, must be certified and marked.

The marking is clear and indelible information applied to the lens and headlight housing, which will be useful to every car owner if it is deciphered correctly. When separating the lens, the marking is applied to the protective glass of the headlight.

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Many car owners who have used both xenon and halogen lighting in their vehicle still prefer a gas-discharge light source, that is, xenon bulbs.

The advantages of xenon are that they are considered less tiring for the human eye, and also of higher quality. The markings on the headlights for halogen and xenon will also be different.

to “What are automotive xenon lamps - markings and what types are there?”

1. Alexander_avu:
   When a friend with a “non-standard” xenon drives towards you at night, it’s very annoying! If the manufacturer did not provide for the installation of such light sources, then be reasonable and do not install them. Moreover, the era of xenon lamps on cars will soon end, and LEDs will be used everywhere, the prospect is obvious. Xenon lighting, in principle, cannot be better than light from an incandescent lamp, because the emitted spectrum is very different from the optimal yellow-red, and the triggering circuit for these lamps is too cumbersome and, in a sense, anachronistic. Talk to a decent electrical engineer about this...

   Answer

2. Seva:

   In general, if xenons are not provided by the manufacturer, then they are a violation of traffic regulations, according to the list of conditions and malfunctions with which driving a car is prohibited. Moreover, rights can be deprived for a period of 6 months. As for some illusory fuel savings, I’ll say that xenon lamps are much more expensive than conventional halogen lamps - this is one, second, when one lamp fails, the whole pair must be changed at once, because the old and new lamps, even exactly the same ones, will shine in different colors beam. Also add the specified ignition unit Ksenia 12-35, which really costs a penny (about 2.8-3 thousand rubles), but for some reason everyone complains about it, due to the fact that xenon lamps do not get along with it for a long time. If you still take the ignition unit, then it is better to overpay one and a half thousand and buy something from German, since the choice is Al Bosch or Hella, but not the Union Ksenia. And I’ll add, my personal opinion, xenon is an extra gadget and its use is probably rudeness towards other drivers whom it dazzles, so choose better old good halogens, well, again, except in cases where xenons are from the manufacturer, with adjustment of the direction of the light flux.

   Answer

3. Andrey:

   Do not confuse standard xenon headlights and standard headlights with halogen lamps in which non-standard Chinese xenon is installed. In the second case, no matter how you adjust the headlights, they will not shine correctly in any case, because The reflector of these headlights is designed for halogen lamps, not xenon ones. And such “converted” headlights will blind not only oncoming drivers, but also those driving in front of you. Standard xenon headlights do not blind either one or the other, unless, of course, you adjusted them yourself

   Answer

4. Alexei:

   I drive very often at night and on my Renault I didn’t have enough low beam, no matter what bulbs I installed. I was thinking about xenon. Services vying with each other to offer installation without warning about the consequences. And there are a huge number of nuances, starting with the type of headlights (reflector, lenses) and ending with the marking of the headlights (DC means that the installation of xenon is provided by the manufacturer, and there is no violation, MOT passes normally). When I digested all the information and realized that it was realistic to install xenon, I began to choose a workshop. After installation, I took my son, put him in my car, took his car myself, drove towards him in the dark, and only when he was convinced that my headlights were not blinding, did he sign all the certificates of work performed. Visibility has improved noticeably without compromising oncoming drivers. But I advise you - do not skimp on installing xenon, otherwise it will cause problems not only for you but also for those around you.

   Answer

What is it for?

Headlight markings have been developed to reduce the risk to road safety both for the owner of a vehicle equipped with halogen or xenon lighting and for other road users.

Usually, the mismatch between headlights and lamps makes itself felt at night. If there is a discrepancy, the lighting either blinds other drivers, or the owner of xenon and halogen cannot see the road and the presence of various obstacles on it.

As mentioned above, the marking contains a huge amount of necessary and useful information for the car owner. For example, the country that issued the approval, number, headlamp category, etc.

Today it is planned to install the following types of headlights on vehicles:

• traditional incandescent lamps;
• halogen lamps;
• gas-discharge light sources (xenon).

The compliance of the markings on the headlights with the installed lighting is also checked at service stations.

If there are still violations in the lighting installation, it is unlikely that the car owner will be able to undergo a technical inspection and receive the appropriate card confirming its passage.

Do not forget about the administrative liability provided for failure to comply with the requirements for lighting equipment.

Rules for choosing xenon

Currently, our market offers motorists a huge assortment of gas-discharge light sources, so when purchasing, a person may face difficulties in choosing. The ban on the use of gas-discharge lamps adds even more nuance to this issue. If you don’t know which xenon is best to install on your car, then first make sure that its use is allowed in your car. To do this, carefully examine the optics body to determine the markings that we described above.

In any case, the choice of xenon should be made taking into account the following criteria:

1. To begin with, keep in mind that the ignition degree of a gas-discharge lighting source is about 2400 volts. If you do not want to encounter the problem of damage to the vehicle’s on-board network, then for normal lighting operation you will need to additionally install a converter. This device is also called a ballast; it is designed to convert the 12-volt voltage supplied by the battery to the required 2400 V. Installation of such a device is carried out either in the engine compartment or in any other place convenient for you. Please note that the installation site must be protected from moisture and aggressive environmental influences; please take this into account when installing.
2. Remember that the hue of a HID light bulb depends largely on the color temperature. Depending on the type, its range can be from 3500 to 8000 K. In accordance with preferences, you can choose a color range from traditional yellow to a cooler white shade. The last option is especially popular among our compatriots.
3. If you don’t know which xenon is best to install so that it meets all requirements and quality standards, then in this case the best option is bi-xenon bulbs. One of the distinctive features of such lighting is the ability to operate both at close and further distances.

Consider the fact that our market, unfortunately, is literally teeming with fakes and pseudo-xenon kits. Such products are usually manufactured in China and, as practice shows, normal gas-discharge lighting only resembles it from afar. In this case, in order not to fall for a fake, you need to check the connection of such devices. As we said above, for normal operation of this optics, a special ignition unit or converter is required. If xenon lamps are not real, then such a unit will not be required for their operation.

Price issue

The price will vary depending on several factors. These are the technical features of the system, the manufacturer, as well as the quality of the lamps in general.

The average cost of gas discharge kits is as follows:

1. Set MTF-Light Slim Line H1 4300k (average price - 5800 rubles)

2. IPF H1 5200K kit (price - around 38 thousand rubles)

3. SHO ME Super Slim H1 4300k (price - approximately 2200 rubles)

Marking table for headlights for xenon and halogen

If we talk about ordinary light bulbs, the marking will have the following GOST abbreviation:

The marking of a gas-discharge light source begins with the letter D, and the halogen filament begins with H.

If you want to install halogen or xenon bulbs, you must have the following markings on the headlights:

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Read about the reasons if the xenon lights up pink here.

Marking of headlights by light source

It is worth knowing the two most popular types or types of optical automotive systems. These are halogen lamps and xenon light sources.

Standard and familiar headlights to every car enthusiast, designed for the use of halogen lamps, are indicated by the symbol H. Halogen light can be made in several versions. But, despite this, the diffuser must be marked with this symbol. This could be HC for low beam or HR for high beam. Such headlights are among the safest, as they do not blind oncoming drivers and are reliable among their counterparts. And they are much cheaper in cost than xenon lenses.

Violations

Car owners are required and required to strictly adhere to factory markings and avoid any combination of incompatible items.

For example, if a car owner decides to install xenon equipment in conventional headlights without the DR, DC and DCR markings on them, this could be a threat to road safety.

Until September 23, 2010, when the technical regulations were adopted, non-compliance of headlights and light bulbs provided for an administrative violation in which the car owner could be deprived of his driver’s license from six months to a year, and the lighting equipment was confiscated.

A little later, changes were made that allowed the use of headlights without appropriate markings for xenon and halogen, but with mandatory equipment such as headlight washers and automatic headlight angle correction.

Failure to match the markings with the installed headlights is considered non-compliance with traffic rules and is punishable by the legislation of the Russian Federation.

If halogen or xenon lamps are installed in headlights designed for conventional (incandescent) light bulbs, the operation of individual vehicle devices may be disrupted.

The administrative punishment provided for this violation is regulated in the resolution of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation dated December 15, 2009, number 11 AF09-1246.

An administrative case is initiated on the basis of Part 1 of Article 12.4 of the Code of Administrative Offences. It turns out that the use of vehicles with such violations is prohibited by law.

The purpose of installing xenon in fog lights

Before undertaking the conversion of standard fog optics, the car owner must carefully analyze for what purpose he is going to install xenon in the fog lights.

1. If the main reason for installing xenon in PTF is to improve illumination when driving in fog, then such modification should be carried out according to certain rules.
2. When a motorist tries to impress friends or surrounding motorists by installing xenon in foglights, it may be easier and more effective to use daytime running lights.

These two goals are practically incompatible when installing xenon, which is explained by the operating principle of xenon lamps, as well as the requirements of traffic regulations.

Replacing a halogen bulb with a xenon counterpart is not difficult. However, some difficulties arise with the light flux. Read more about setting up foglights here.

If the fog lamp is not designed to use xenon optics, then replacing the lamps yourself will dazzle drivers of oncoming vehicles.

This is due to the fact that a regular headlight reflector is not suitable for xenon. Inert gas lamps work best only when installing lens fog lights.

They focus a beam of bright light exactly in the direction of movement of the car at a distance of 10-15 m, which is required for the successful operation of fog lights.

Each fog lamp has a designation that encodes the type of lamps approved for use.

1. The Latin letter “H” indicates that the headlight can only be used with a halogen bulb.
2. The presence of the letter “D” in the designation indicates the possibility of installing gas-discharge lamps (including xenon).

Accordingly, the installation of xenon lamps in the first case will have a negative impact on drivers of oncoming vehicles. In the second option, xenon will illuminate the road brighter, without causing complaints from drivers of oncoming traffic.

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If the idea arises of replacing reflectors with lenses, then problems may arise with the selection of reflectors of the appropriate size. In some cases, when installing xenon in the PTF, it will be possible to fit the new optics to the car bumper with minimal effort. In other cases, you will have to redo a lot and use sealants and various adapters.

For detailed instructions on installing xenon in PTF, see the video at the end of this article.

Xenon lamps may have different colors when illuminated. Which color is preferable for a car owner depends on several factors.

• From the point of view of maximum illumination of the road in fog, yellow colors are best. They allow you to comfortably see the road surface, but at the same time they do not harmonize with the glow of the car’s standard optics.
• The white or blue color of xenon is somewhat inferior to the yellow tint in terms of glow quality. But the external effectiveness of the fog lights will be excellent. The blue color of xenon headlights has a particularly negative effect on the glow range in fog.

To ensure the operation of xenon lamps, special electrical devices are required that can ignite an inert gas in a glass bulb. To ignite xenon, a high voltage of about 25 kV is required.

The main enemy of a high-voltage xenon ignition unit is moisture. Therefore, it is necessary to install these important elements of xenon light in the driest places under the hood. This creates a requirement for the length of the wires that connect the fog lights to the xenon lamp ignition unit. The longer the high-voltage wires, the easier it is to find the best option for an important electrical unit.

But so that xenon can be placed in the headlights without violations, markings with the letter D are used.

For example, DC means that the headlight can use xenon low beam, and if the marking is DR, then we are talking about the possibility of using xenon high beam.

For xenon, this marking is designated as DCR, and if such letters are on the headlight, then gas-discharge type light sources can be used in it.

Thus, attention should be paid to the first letter of the marking, and if it is D, then using xenon in such headlights will be completely legal.

And the driver should always check the labeling before using a particular light technology.

To choose xenon lamps, you must first pay attention to the type of base used in it.

In addition, you can choose a base based on the car’s headlight itself, and also read about it in the car’s service book if it has standard headlights.

To find it there, you just need to open the hood, but there are situations when to find the marking you need to disassemble the headlight and even remove it.

In addition, there may be other designations, for example, the type of headlights, where A means side lights, B means fog lights, C means low or high beam, and dual-mode optics is designated as a combination of two letters, or their use through a dividing strip.

Which xenon shines better, 4300 or 5000, see the article: which xenon is better than 4300 or 5000.

How much it costs to restore your rights, read here.

Further, there may be a marking of compliance with international standards. So, the letter E means that the headlight can be used in Japan and Europe, including the CIS, and for American vehicles there are SAE or DOT designations, next to them there is a number that indicates a specific country or region, for example, Russia is part of the CIS therefore, for it and other Commonwealth countries the code E22 will apply.

Correct headlights have an arrow that indicates the direction of travel for which the headlight is used, for example, a mark pointing to the right means use for countries with right-hand traffic.

Thus, xenon light, unlike halogen, is similar to daylight, while halogen options shine yellow, which is not natural and tires the driver’s eyes faster.

Halogen light, like incandescent lamps, is scattered due to the design of the corresponding headlights, while xenon light, on the contrary, is collected into a beam, which is facilitated by the lenses installed in the headlights; the boundary of such light is quite clear, which makes it possible to regulate it and thereby prevent driver dazzle.

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The design of these two types also differs, because while xenon lighting uses a bulb with pumped gas, halogen headlights work thanks to the good old filament coil.

At the same time, you can’t put a xenon mark on any headlight; it must have ignition units, a certain design of the headlight itself, which does not scatter, but collects light into a beam, as well as lenses, but they are not always found.

In addition, it is the mark on the possibility of installing xenon that will prove to the traffic police inspector that the light bulb is installed legally, if this information coincides with the technical documentation of the car.

Sometimes research can be done on the headlight itself to see if it is actually designed to handle that kind of light, but this is only done by technical experts.

Which lamps to choose

In order to choose the right light bulb for a particular lighting, you need to understand the headlight markings printed on its body.

The markings of already installed headlights can be seen by looking under the hood on the inside of the glass. In some cases, this will require removing the headlight.

The country that has approved the optics is indicated by a letter and number surrounded by a circle. If there is an E in the circle, this means that the approval was received from a European country.

If the abbreviation DOT is circled, then the statement refers to the United States of America. By the way, DOT stands for Department of Transport.

The number next to the letter indicates the country itself. Each country has its own serial number.

The presence of arrows in the marking indicates the purpose of the headlight when using the vehicle in left-hand traffic.

If there is no such marking, then, accordingly, the headlights are intended for right-hand traffic. If there are two arrows at the same time, the headlight is designed for both types of movement.

In fact, the marking carries a huge amount of information, for example, about the manufacturer (in this case, Hella).

If we look at our marking image, the first abbreviation DC indicates the possibility of installing xenon low beam.

In addition, there may be such symbols characterizing other xenon lighting (DR, DC/R), lamps with an H4-halogen base (HC, HCR, HC/R), and conventional incandescent lamps (C- low, R- far, CR - near and far, C/R - near or far illumination).

On the left side of the circle indicating the country, there is a number indicating the coverage area. In our case, this figure is 20 square meters.

The letter A means that the headlight is considered a side light (if there is a B symbol, the headlight will be considered a fog light).

Every vehicle must have low beam starting angle information displayed on the headlight or on a placard located under the hood. This indicator is measured as a percentage and can vary from 1 to 1.5%.

If we talk about the international designation, the presence of the letter H in the marking indicates the use of the headlight only for halogen lamps. If the headlight is marked PL, then the lens is made of plastic.

But there are other designations, for example:

If everything is clear with the markings, then you can start choosing the light bulbs themselves. Today, the automotive market is full of a huge assortment of light bulbs from various manufacturers.

When choosing between xenon and halogen, you should know the typical characteristics and indicators of each lighting:

• A xenon lamp guarantees the car owner good visibility of the road, despite bad weather conditions (rain and snow), as well as in the dark. The main advantage of such lighting is that there is no threat of vision impairment. Of course, if you don’t look at the headlight on for a long period. This characteristic applies more to the vision of drivers of oncoming vehicles and to xenon owners who drive in the dark, looking at the illuminated road. Xenon lighting is very similar to sunlight, so it is not an irritant to the human eye;

The operating time of a xenon lamp is a maximum of 3 thousand hours, while the power consumption will be equal to 35 volts. The disadvantage of a xenon bulb is its cost.

• A halogen lamp is installed in headlights intended for headlights. A halogen lamp is an incandescent light bulb with an inert gas in the bulb. Lighting indicators, unlike halogens, have rather low characteristics. The resulting luminous flux and efficiency of such lamps are low.

However, their cost is quite reasonable, in contrast to the price of halogen lamps. The advantage of halogen is their durability, a huge range of different types and sizes.

Find out which is better to buy xenon for a motorcycle from this information.

Fog lights and xenon

It is easier to install xenon light into a fog lamp than into conventional optics. Everything is simpler here. But you need to take into account that the light flux must be directed slightly downwards.

This tuning provides an advantage over traditional halogen lighting. Thus, the area of ​​the illuminated surface increases, and the roadside is better visible. This is very important when turning, because it is on the roadsides that there are certain risks. Installed xenon lamps in fog lights allow the driver to see an obstacle earlier and react to it correctly.

Fog lights use sockets of type H3, H11, HB4, H27. Lamps with H4 socket are less common. In order to find out the marking of the base, you need to inspect the headlight. If you do not find the symbols on the glass, then you will have to remove the fog optics.

International marking designation

The lighting equipment of any wheeled vehicle must be marked with an alphabetic or digital code. All auxiliary elements - ignition blockers, correctors, lenses, diffusers - are marked with certified markings in accordance with international standards 41.99-99.

The code must meet the following parameters:

• be clear, easy to read;
• be in a visible place;
• have comprehensive information about the manufacturer, the angle of the light beam, certification;
• contain a designation whose arrows indicate the month and year of production.

With the help of decoding, you can determine whether car optics were changed due to a serious accident.

International approval mark

Optical instruments from different countries differ in luminous flux, as well as in the direction of the cut-off angle. The necessary information is contained on the optics body in the form of a sticker or molding on plastic.

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In the classic version, optics are marked with five main designations:

• headlight type;
• used lighting elements;
• region-specific compliance;
• intended for different directions of movement;
• manufacturer.

Manufacturers apply technical information to the bottom edge of the glass. You do not need to open the hood to view the necessary information.

Optics type

Headlights are divided according to purpose. Each letter is responsible for features and functionality:

A – location on the side; B – marking of fog lights; C – optics responsible for the near light flux; R – high beam headlight. The double designation CR or C/R indicates joint use for high and low beam light. HR - long-range with a halogen lamp.

The location of light devices on a car is established by GOSTs and regulations on vehicle safety.

Thus, the marking on the headlight in the form of the letter B indicates that this is a PTF and it is prohibited to use it as the main source of light at night.

Light elements

Existing types of car headlight markings:

1. HC/HR – intended only for halogen lamps. At the same time, the optics have 2 modules for high and low beam.
2. HCR - to provide light in all modes, one lamp with a bulb filled with halogen is used.
3. CR - optics designed for classic incandescent lamps.
4. DC, DR, DCR refers to the use of xenon headlights for low beam, high beam or combined lighting modes, respectively.

In optics designed for gas-discharge lamps, the use of halogen elements is prohibited and vice versa. This headlight will provide a regulated beam only with the factory type of lamp.

Marking according to region

The first digit in the code indicates the compliance of the optics with the regulations and international standards of different countries.

• E – means marking for European, Japanese cars;
• DOT, SAE - for American models.

An additional number next to the code indicates the place of manufacture of the optics: number 4 indicates Holland, 1 indicates Germany, and 2 and 3 indicate France and Italy.

Chinese replacements for original optics often do not meet the stated characteristics and cannot ensure safety on public roads. When purchasing a damaged headlight, you should pay attention only to the original or high-quality duplicates. The additional code PL refers to a plastic reflector that collects the light beam.

Direction of movement

The direction of oncoming traffic may differ in regions. Not only the angle of light, but also the height of the beam, which ensures comfortable driving for all road users, depends on this.

For regions with right-hand traffic, the arrow points to the right, and for regions with left-hand traffic, the arrow points to the left.

American models are not equipped with a daw, are suitable for different types of movement and have a code with two arrows.

Manufacturer

Each manufacturer puts a nameplate or brand name on the headlights. This sign indicates an original part that meets all the stated requirements. This item will last for many years.

The absence of a marking on the glass or housing under the hood indicates the installation of non-original optics due to a major accident. Only original products can be classified as class 1 optics. Substitutes cannot provide the required illumination, lux from lamps, and resistance to small stones.

Circuit breakers

It may happen that the low beam of the Ford Focus 2 does not light up due to the failure of the fuses.

Fuses protect the on-board network from sudden voltage surges, preventing possible malfunctions of devices. A failed part needs to be replaced as soon as possible, because the voltage will become unstable and will affect the operation of other electronic devices. It is important to install a fuse that is similar in voltage to the factory one, because a discrepancy of this indicator to a lesser extent can lead to dire consequences.

Where to look for fuses?

The parts we need are located in the cabin (FF2 Facelift - after 2007), in the area of ​​the glove box (front passenger).

To reach the correct fuse box, you need to:

All. The block has been removed. Below is its diagram.

Fuses numbered 142 (on the right side) and 143 (on the left side) are responsible for the low beam and have a voltage of 15 Amps. The part changes depending on the side of the absence of light, or both at once.

Where are the markings found?

Manufacturer codes and all necessary information are indicated in two places. Where to look for the markings on the headlight:

• on the headlight glass;
• on the plastic housing under the hood.

On older car models, the code is found on the underside of the body. To view all the information, you must completely dismantle and turn over the light device. The designation of the car is found in the form of stickers, which come off over time, after which they cannot be restored.

Applying a sticker that does not correspond to reality and installing unspecified lamps is punishable by an administrative fine and the issuance of an order to eliminate the malfunction.

Optics for xenon

The markings on xenon headlights consist of the following letters:

The first letters D indicate the use of gas-discharge sources in conjunction with lenses or special reflectors.

It is not recommended to independently install xenon in foglights and headlights with codes HC, HR, HC/R. This can not only harm the car's wiring, but also damage the reflector. The use of xenon is also prohibited in taillights.

Little tricks

It seems that you won't be able to outsmart the inspector. But that's not true. There is room for cunning here. You need lamps with a temperature of 3000 to 4000 K. The markings on xenon headlights must contain these parameters.

You also need to replace the optics or install lenses in it. The lens does not allow the light beam to scatter too much. But the brightness will decrease. The lens hides the markings and shape of the lamp from the inspector's view. Even a professional inspector will not be able to determine which GOST marking is in your optics.

Also, let's not forget about the ignition unit. It needs to be hidden away. Although professionals claim that it will be difficult to achieve greater brightness compared to halogen light.

If you need to replace halogen lighting with xenon lighting, then make sure that there are no problems with the traffic police. Markings sometimes wear off, especially on plastic headlights, which are the majority on the market today. You can protect yourself with a photograph in which the glass markings are very clearly visible.

LED optics

On public highways, cars with LED light sources are increasingly being seen. Marked ice lenses cover a large area of ​​the road and can last more than 10,000 hours.

Many car owners are interested in the question of what is the marking of LED headlights from the factory and whether it is possible to independently install diodes instead of halogen or xenon. Optics with diodes have the inscription HCR, indicating conventional halogen lamps. However, the code for all reflectors and lenses additionally contains the LED prefix, and their design is significantly different.

In daytime running lights, the lamp is built into the housing without any markings. The location of the lights is regulated by the transport safety guidelines.

Knowing the location of the markings allows you not only to detect the replacement of a headlight due to an accident, but also to protect yourself from fines by using the right lamps.

What is xenon afraid of?

Xenon optics are quite complex devices. Their design is much more delicate and fragile than the design of halogen lamps.

These bulbs are afraid of frequent on and off cycles. Light sources operate by means of a high temperature discharge. Sometimes they can suddenly burn out. As a result, you can observe a glow of green or red colors.

Also, do not expose xenon light to excessive vibrations. With even the slightest depressurization, such an emitter almost instantly fails. In addition, marriage can occur right out of the box. Most often this happens on cheap models of xenon lamps. Their service life can be less than a week. Therefore, you should only purchase branded products. But again, it's not cheap.

Marking of headlights for xenon. Considering the notation

Many people ignore information such as marking headlights for xenon, although it contains a lot of useful information. Also, not all car enthusiasts know how gas-discharge lamps differ from conventional or halogen lamps, their advantages and disadvantages. This article will reveal the main nuances associated with this type of automotive optics and help you decide whether you need such headlights or not.

How does marking headlights for xenon affect the intensity of the glow and for what conditions is this or that type of lamp suitable? A beginner is unlikely to understand this issue right away. But we will start from afar.

Xenon optics are rightfully considered more efficient in comparison with the same halogen lamps. And also an important advantage is that it is the least likely to tire the driver’s eyes, which, you see, directly depends on traffic safety. By the way, high-quality LED headlights are expensive and not every car owner can afford such optics, but xenon is more affordable and therefore more popular.

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What it is

Xenon lamps are special devices based on the injection of inert gas, which contributes to the reproduction of road lighting. The presented type of lamps is called gas-discharge lamps, which are based on xenon gas.

The lamp itself consists of two sections, where xenon is filled into one (into the inner flask), and the outer section remains empty to protect the gas from elevated temperatures and pressure.

The advantages of xenon include the following factors:

• lamps with low energy consumption;
• due to prolonged use, xenon lamps do not dim or fade;
• xenon attracts the attention of passers-by, making it a little safer to move around at night;
• the presented lamps significantly reduce the strain on the driver’s eyes due to improved visibility and visibility;
• lamps provide better visibility during rain or fog;
• due to the absence of filaments, such lamps do not burn out while driving on uneven roads;
• the service life increases several times.

Of course, xenon lamps are much better compared to conventional incandescent or halogen lamps.

But this factor is erroneous in the decision to install xenon - traffic police officers, having identified the installation of such lamps, issue a fine or draw up a protocol for the subsequent deprivation of a driver’s license.

What to choose from?

The auto parts market offers a large number of types of xenon optics, which can easily be installed even on a small car. And the price for such kits can be only a few thousand rubles, which, you see, is attractive. You just need to understand one “BUT”. Since 2014, the traffic rules have been updated and a note about homemade xenon headlights has appeared. We are talking, after all, about those kits that are offered on car markets.

The fact is that such xenon can cause a number of inconveniences for drivers of oncoming cars, blinding them and reducing the overall level of safety on the road. But we will throw away all legal norms and talk about xenon and its markings.

How to choose a good xenon fog light

When purchasing xenon optics for installation in foglights, you need to know several nuances.

1. The wild popularity of xenon lamps inspires some Korean and Chinese manufacturers to create fakes. Under the guise of xenon lamps, they adapted to use ordinary halogen lamps, painted bluish. Using such optics, it will not be possible to obtain either bright light or economic effect. Here it is important to pay attention to the presence of an additional ballast (high-voltage) unit and extension wires. And the price factor should make you wary when choosing when a fake is offered.
2. When comparing xenon kits for fog lights, the overall dimensions and shape of the ignition units differ. It is better to purchase xenon with thin blocks (Slim), which will be easier to install in a limited space.
3. In addition to the light bulbs, be sure to pay attention to the markings of your PTFs. If they are not suitable for installing xenon, they will also have to be changed.

Replacing halogen bulbs with xenon in fog lights is becoming increasingly popular. Gas discharge lamps can only increase road illumination if installed correctly, therefore, if you do not have the skills to connect electrical devices, it is better to entrust the installation of xenon in the PTF to car service specialists.

What is the difference between lamps?

A standard halogen lamp is very different in design from a xenon lamp (see the article “Which is better xenon or halogen?”). In halogen, the light source is a tungsten wire (analogous to an incandescent lamp), while in xenon this part is replaced by an arc located in a quartz flask filled with inert gases. For a rough comparison, you can take spark plugs; they work on the same principle, with the difference that a spark jumps out periodically.

Xenon headlights, as you might have guessed, are powered by high voltage and, as a rule, thick wires are connected to them.

The standard operating range of such lamps is 25,000 – 28,000 V

. Just imagine how gigantic this tension is! But it does not need to be maintained constantly; we are talking about the moment the lamp is ignited. At the moment of combustion, it requires no more than 80 V.

The car's standard electrics are designed to work with 12 V equipment and such xenon kits cannot be powered by it. Ignition units usually come with xenon headlights.

In the auto parts market, xenon kits from China are especially popular; they are cheaper than their analogues. However, they can create unpleasant voltage surges in the car's electrical system, thereby affecting, for example, music systems, creating interference. Well, there’s no need to talk about the reliability of such lamps. Such a question as marking headlights for xenon may concern not only a beginner.

You can determine the type of xenon you already have installed by examining the headlight housing; usually, the markings are indicated on the glass part, but disassembly may also be required.

Xenon light in reverse

The presence of this light in the rear lights makes it much easier to move and maneuver at night. When choosing, preference should be given to lamps with a glow temperature of at least 5000 K. This will allow you to achieve bright white light with a bluish tint.

At the very beginning you need to disconnect the negative wire. Labeling batteries will not allow you to make a mistake here. To make the work easier, you need to remove the interior trim of the trunk.

Installing xenon in the rear lights implies the need to remove the lights and their subsequent disassembly. Old lamps can be unscrewed immediately. And in order for the reverse to flash with xenon lights, you will need to make some modifications. Usually you need to prepare a place for wiring.

The taillights do not require modifications to the base, otherwise you will not be able to install regular lamps in their place. The cartridge is disassembled, and the contacts and wires need to be pulled out. Wiring for xenon lighting can be routed through the hole.

Then the lamp must be secured. Connectors for connection are usually supplied with the kit. The connection must be made in strict compliance with polarities. Here you need to be extremely careful. Using clamps, you need to connect the wires to the ignition unit.

Before checking, you need to make sure that there is a fuse in the circuit. Once the taillights light up with a beautiful xenon light, you can put everything back together.

What headlight markings should be to install xenon?

If you can’t wait to find out right away which types of headlights are suitable for installing xenon (xenon light bulbs are called gas-discharge light bulbs in a professional environment), then briefly, the headlights should have one of the following markings:

• DC/DR - means that this headlight is equipped with separate lamps for low and high beam, and xenon can be installed in either (both) of them
• DCR - means that the headlight is equipped with one lamp, which can be used for both low and high beam (dual-mode headlight), and xenon can be installed in such a headlight.
• DC/HR - means that you can install xenon exclusively in the low beam, but in the high beam - it is prohibited.
• HC/HR - installed exclusively in Japanese car models and means that the xenon mode of such headlights is possible. But European cars may have the same marking, which means that the headlight can only be used with halogen lamps for both low and high beams, that is, in the latter case, installing xenon in such lamps is prohibited.

The given list of four possible headlight markings stipulates that if only such markings are available, it is possible to install xenon in a car’s lighting fixtures. There will be a number of abbreviations on the headlight of your car, among which you just need to find those indicated to resolve the issue of the possibility of installing xenon.

Now let's look at the marking options in which the installation of xenon is prohibited :

• HC/HR - means that this headlight is intended only for halogen lamps (separate lamps for low and high beam) in European cars (see list above).
• HCR - means that the headlight is equipped with one lamp operating in two modes: for low beam and for high beam. Installing xenon in it is also prohibited.
• CR - means that only incandescent lamps (not halogen or xenon) can be installed in the headlights.

Xenon headlight markings

In recent years, xenon headlights have become very popular among domestic car enthusiasts. They have a number of advantages over classic halogen light sources. They have a different type of base - D2R (the so-called reflector) or D2S (the so-called spotlight), and a glow temperature below 5000 K (the number 2 in the designation corresponds to the second generation of lamps, and the number 1, respectively, to the first, but they are currently found infrequently for obvious reasons). Please note that the installation of xenon headlights must be carried out correctly, that is, in accordance with current rules and regulations. Therefore, it is better to install xenon headlights in a specialized auto repair shop.

The following are specific designations for halogen headlights, with the help of which it is possible to determine whether xenon light can be installed instead:

• DC/DR. This headlight has separate low and high beam sources. Moreover, such designations can also occur on gas-discharge lamps. Accordingly, instead of them you can put “xenon lights”, but in accordance with the rules mentioned above.
• DC/HR. Such headlights are designed to install gas-discharge lamps for low-beam lighting. Accordingly, such lamps cannot be installed on other types of headlights.
• HC/HR. This marking is installed on the headlights of Japanese cars. It means that instead of halogen headlights, xenon ones can be mounted on them. If a similar inscription is on a European or American car, then the installation of xenon headlights on them is prohibited! Accordingly, only halogen headlights can be used for them. Moreover, this applies to both low and high beam lamps.

Sometimes numbers are written before the characters mentioned above (for example, 04). This number indicates that changes have been made to the documentation and design of the headlights in accordance with the requirements of the UNECE Regulations with the number indicated before the mentioned symbols.

As for the places where information about the headlight is printed, xenon light sources can have three of them:

• directly on the glass from its inside;
• on top of the headlight cover, made of glass or plastic; to study the relevant information, it is usually necessary to open the hood of the car;
• on the back of the glass cover.

Xenon lamps have a number of individual designations. Among them are several English letters:

• A - lateral;
• B - anti-fog;
• C — low beam;
• R - high beam;
• C/R (CR) - for use in headlights as sources of both low and high beam.

Sticker for xenon headlights

Samples of various stickers

Recently, among car enthusiasts whose cars are equipped with xenon headlights not from the factory, but during operation, the topic of making headlight stickers on their own is gaining popularity. In particular, this is true for xenon lenses that have been altered, that is, normal xenon lenses have been replaced or installed (for optics without changes, the corresponding sticker is made by the manufacturer of the headlight or car).

When making stickers for xenon headlights yourself, you must know the following parameters:

• What kind of lenses were installed - bilens or regular mono.
• The bulbs used in the headlight are for low beam, high beam, turn signal, running lights, type of base, and so on. Please note that for Chinese Plug-n-play lenses, you cannot indicate the Chinese lens and halogen base (type H1, H4 and others) on the sticker. Also, when installing them, it is necessary to hide their wiring, since by their appearance (installation) you can easily identify such devices, and get into trouble when checked by employees of the State Road Service.
• Geometric dimensions of the sticker. It must fit completely on the headlight housing and provide complete information when looking at it.
• Manufacturer of headlights (there are a lot of them nowadays).
• Additional information, such as the production date of the headlights.