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Retrofit headlights with LEDs
Retrofitting older headlights with LED lamps is now also permitted for certain vehicle models in Austria.
Retrofit headlights with LEDs
Tests by the mobility club ÖAMTC and its partners have confirmed it again and again: LED headlights are superior to their counterparts with halogen or incandescent lamps. They have a significantly longer lifespan, but above all they are characterized by a higher quality of light. “The widest possible distribution would therefore be desirable in the interests of traffic safety,” explains ÖAMTC technician Steffan Kerbl. For vehicles that are not yet equipped with LEDs as standard, there is now a new and comparatively inexpensive option: The Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) has now recognized the approval of the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), which was granted in 2020, and has permitted retrofit solutions for Austria. “However, there are still restrictions because the approval does not apply generally, but only for certain vehicle models,” notes Kerbl. In addition to some exotic vehicles, there are also widespread vehicles such as the VW Passat, Ford Mondeo and Audi A3. “Before you buy, you should definitely find out whether retrofitting your car is even permitted,” advises the expert. "And even if that is the case, a written confirmation of the approval must currently be carried in the car. It is therefore advisable to seek advice beforehand - for example from the technical advice of the ÖAMTC." A current list of approved vehicles is available on the mobility club's website www.oeamtc.at.
Currently only one manufacturer
Osram is currently the only manufacturer that offers an approved retrofit solution with the Night Breaker LED. In a test by the mobility club, its bulb performed very well compared to classic halogen headlights. “The significantly whiter LED light illuminates the road much brighter and thus enables obstacles on the road or at the edge of the road to be identified more quickly,” says Kerbl, summarizing the most important test results and recommends: “Anyone who has a vehicle approved for this purpose that is not yet equipped with LED should consider purchasing it.” The ÖAMTC also offers the LED retrofit solution at its bases.