The main thing that you should consider is the bulb type that is compatible with your car. When choosing your car headlights, it is better to go with the manufacturer’s power rating. In case you wish to upgrade, it requires a relay to include in the circuit. Doing this, wires need to be cut and your warranty will get void. A functional choice for your car headlights is to balance between durability and brightness. Colour temperature for car headlights is measured in Kelvins (K). The light color that the bulb emits depends on the rating. Also, go in to have a color temperature in the range of 3500K and 4400K.
For the 2006 Nissan Altima Headlights, there are three headlight types.
1) Halogen Bulb – When you purchase 2006 Nissan Altima Headlights, the most common type is the halogen bulb. There is a filament present on a single bulb of this headlight. It provides both bright and dim light car settings. Halogen bulb is placed in a glass envelope with bromine or iodine gas. Let us see the pros and cons of this bulb.
a. Pros of Halogen bulbs are:
i. Inexpensive.
ii. Easy to replace.
b. Cons of Halogen bulbs are:
i. Not bright white lights.
ii. Not placed on the Kelvin scale lower end, that determines the brightness.
iii. Burn hot and hence have only 1000 hours of service life.
2) Light Emitting Diode (LED) Bulbs – LED bulbs is another 2006 Nissan Altima Headlights type. Unlike the halogen bulb, the LED bulb type makes use of electroluminescence for bright light and it shines well. This indicates that electrons are forced near a positive charge held present in a semiconductor. After this action, the bulb releases photons, which are light particles that we can view. Let us see the pros and cons of this bulb.
a. Pros of LED bulbs are:
i. Placed in smaller locations and hence it is easier to change headlight style.
ii. Brighter than halogen bulbs and shine at a higher kelvin scale.
iii. More energy-efficient and can be easily turned on or off.
iv. Last longer.
b. Cons of LED bulbs are:
i. Cost more initially. The high cost is because of the bulb cost and its assembly.
ii. Designed to prevent overheating.
3) Xenon / HID Bulb – Xenon bulb is yet another bulb type that you can put in 2006 Nissan Altima Headlights. It is also known as a high-intensity discharger or HID light. This headlight style is a mix of LED and halogen bulbs. The lights are placed in a special structure that has argon and Xenon gas. Let us see the pros and cons of this bulb.
a. Pros of Xenon bulbs are:
i. Brightest on the Kelvin scale.
ii. Transmit a white-blue light that further gives a range of light. This illuminates the road so that the driver can see.
iii. Lasts for 10,000 hours as no filament is not present to burn out.
b. Cons of Xenon bulbs are:
i. Oncoming drivers blinds then and they will complain.
ii. Due to its intense light, you might not be able to see outside, thereby making it hard when changing lanes or at the time of parking.
A few points to consider while you choose car headlights to strike a balance between practicability and visual appeal are:
1) Life Span – Car’s headlamps life span is an essential point to consider. If they are long-lasting, you need not replace them regularly. You also need to consider the bulb installation, whether they are easy to install yourself or you require technicians’ help for it. Going for a customer-friendly option saves you a lot of hassle.
2) Brightness – It is informative that bright lights can enhance visibility by almost 50% on the road. However, brighter bulbs cost more and they have a limited lifespan as they work harder for reflecting intense light.
3) Whiteness – When there are high-intensity lights, it helps you to spot signage faster. Also, it is safe. High-end range cars are mostly fitted with white lights.