UN Regulation 99 covers gas discharge light sources for use in vehicle headlamps. All light sources acceptable under Regulation 99 are also acceptable under US regulations. The H17 and H18 bulbs are smaller, more powerful halogen bulbs, while the H8, H9 and H11 are self-sealing bulbs that don’t have to sit inside a watertight unit, so they’re often used as foglights. You can convert your regular halogen bulb to xenon with a special kit, but these are not road legal in the UK. On a serious note, 55 watt HID systems are even worse than any theoretical damage resulting from a 65-watt halogen bulb being used in place of a 55-watt halogen bulb. The beam pattern cannot be fixed by re-aiming. Xenon headlights are a popular choice for luxury cars, using metals and heat gases to create a bright blue or white glow.

The addition of a blue coating to the bulb will turn the colour of the light to be more white. The downside to this is a small reduction in light intensity.There are several different classifications for car bulbs. The United Nations (UN) has set international standards for classifying car bulbs. This helps to ensure that bulb types are standard across different countries. The World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (ECE Regulations) develops and maintains international-consensus UN Regulations on light sources acceptable for use in lamps on vehicles and trailers type-approved for use in countries that recognise the UN Regulations. These include Regulation 37, [1] which contains specifications for filament lamps, and Regulation 99 and its addenda [2] [3] Although xenons generally last much longer than halogen bulbs, their light output can decrease over time, so eventually they won’t emit enough light to be safe for night use. Some manufacturers therefore recommend replacing xenon bulbs every three years. LED bulbs are great for producing a light that is close to that of daylight and they offer less glare than other bulbs which means that they do not dazzle oncoming drivers.

More light allows to see farther and therefore react sooner. Signs, obstacles and hazards can be recognised soonerIn Canada, vehicle headlamps may use light sources (bulbs) conforming to either the US or the international ECE regulations. [8] :108(5)(a) Replaceable Light Sources for Vehicle Headlamps Bulb Type

Err..clearly you didn't discuss your 55 watt HID idea with him, because he would have turned red, started typing in all caps, and have called your local police department to impound your vehicle for immediate crushing. You’ll be able to spot these headlights easily on the road, thanks to their ice white/blue tint and extreme brightness.Some bulbs have only one filament, but others have two. Also known as dual filament bulbs, these are used to power both the main and dipped beam of your headlights. One filament is dedicated to each purpose. This can be easier for drivers, as you only have one headlight bulb. Cars that use single filament need one bulb for the main and another for the dipped. Halogen bulbs use a tungsten filament and a mix of inert gases, usually nitrogen and argon, to create light. The H18 bulb, if anything, should run slightly cooler than the H9 bulb since the H18 doesn't pump nearly as many lumens as the H9 bulb. (Assuming identical luminous efficacies, which is a safe bet, given both are conventional halogen bulbs with no fancy IRR coatings or the like). which covers light sources for high-intensity discharge headlamps. Some UN-approved bulb types [4] are also permitted by some other regulations, such as those of the United States or of Japan, though Japan has begun supplanting the former Japanese national regulations with the international UN regulations. UN Regulation 37 covers motor vehicle filament lamps. These are categorized in three groups: those without general restriction that can be used in any application, those acceptable only for signalling lights (not for road illumination lamps), and those no longer allowable as light sources for new type approvals but still permitted for production as replacement parts.