Car headlights: LED retrofits from Osram now also approved in Austria

Osram is the first manufacturer of LED lamps with approvals for use in conventional car headlights. According to Osram, if the H7 filament lamps are replaced, the result is light that is up to twice as bright, a white color temperature of 6000 Kelvin and a service life that is up to five times longer. The ADAC has checked their light output and sees an “enormous” gain in safety. The demand is obviously high and yet every single headlight model has to be approved through a complex testing and approval process.

At the same time, Osram is trying to have the permits recognized abroad, which is at least easier within the EU, but still not a sure-fire success. Austria has now been the first country to take over part of the road approvals granted for Germany: The Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology in Austria (BMK) recognizes the approval of the German Federal Motor Transport Authority.

This means that Osram will first have the most widespread models such as the BMW 2 Series, Audi A3 and A4 or Ford Mondeo homologated in order to be able to supply the broadest possible customer base. Since our last report, the Audi Q3 (8U), BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (F45) Facelift / 2 Series Gran Tourer (F46) Facelift, Citroën Jumper Y (2), Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Fiat Ducato and Peugeot Boxer have been added.

Also for commercial vehicles and mobile homes

This also applies to mobile homes with the entry “SO.KFZ mobile home” and special vehicles that have received a tier approval based on the vehicles mentioned and whose headlights are approved with the corresponding headlight approval number.

Using the LED is like replacing a burned out halogen lamp. A corresponding ballast is supplied for cars with CAN bus electrics, which makes the new light sources for the control unit recognizable. In addition, the general type approval must be based on the chassis and headlight approval number requested online from Osram and be printed out. A sticker supplied must also be attached to the vehicle.

Compatibility list for Austria

Compatibility list for Germany

(fpi)