Exterior Lighting: Function

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Ford Focus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Voltages of up to 30kV are possible.

Like sunlight, the light produced has very high levels of green and blue fraction.

The special design of the bezel and the diffuser produce a significantly increased range and much broader short range spread. This allows better illumination of the side of the road without exceeding the statutory limits for causing dazzle.

Another advantage of the chosen light distribution is softening of the light and dark boundary. Excessive contrast between the light and dark zones could cause disturbing changes in the road surface illumination when the vehicle is moving. In all, the HID headlamps produce a significant improvement in active safety.

With HID headlamps the full brightness is only achieved after about one minute of switching on. Therefore, usage in motor vehicles require special electronics to ensure full brightness in the first second.

The arc chamber of the HID bulb is filled with HID gas and a mixture of metal halide salts.

A high voltage of 20kV surge ignites the arc between the two electrodes. After a brief excess current phase in which the arc stabilizes, the lamp output is regulated to 35 watts by the electronics.

The bulb wear is so low that the HID bulb lasts the life of the vehicle.

The front side lamps and turn signal lamps are integrated into the headlamp housing.