Headlight Compatibility Guide: How to Choose the Right Headlights for Your Vehicle

Upgrading your car’s headlights can dramatically improve your driving experience — but only if you choose the right type. Many drivers and workshops struggle with headlight compatibility issues, especially when switching from halogen to LED or installing projector headlights.

At Conpexgroup.com, we specialize in designing and manufacturing automotive LED lighting solutions compatible with a wide range of vehicles across global markets — including Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania.

This comprehensive guide will help you understand how to verify headlight fitment, identify the correct socket type, and follow practical installation tips to ensure a perfect match for your vehicle anywhere in the world.

1. Understand Your Vehicle’s Headlight Type

Before choosing a replacement, determine which kind of headlight system your car uses:

Reflector Headlights: Common in older vehicles, these use mirrors to reflect light from the bulb.

Projector Headlights: Found in most modern cars, they use a lens to focus the beam for sharper light output.

LED & HID Assemblies: Offer higher brightness, longer life, and energy efficiency.

   Pro tip: Check your owner’s manual or inspect the back of your headlight assembly to find the bulb type — such as H11, H7, 9005, or 9006.

2. Identify the Correct Bulb Type and Socket Size

Headlight bulbs come in many different sizes and fittings — and using the wrong one can cause poor beam alignment or even electrical damage.

Common examples include:

H11 headlight bulb → low beam for many Japanese and European cars

9005 bulb → high beam for SUVs and trucks

H7 bulb → low beam for many sedans

9006 bulb → fog or secondary beam in some models

To ensure perfect fitment:

Check the existing bulb base marking (e.g., H11, H7).

Confirm voltage and wattage compatibility.

Match connector shapes for plug-and-play installation.

3. Check CANBUS and Power Requirements

“Many modern cars use sensitive electronics; therefore, Conpex LED headlights may require an external driver or CANBUS decoder to ensure error-free operation. Simply plugging in the bulb without the driver may cause flickering or warnings.”

4. Understand the Headlight Assembly Fitment

When upgrading to full headlight assemblies, it’s important to check:

Mounting points match your vehicle frame.

Wiring harness and connector pins are compatible.

Beam direction is correct for left-hand or right-hand traffic markets.

Conpex provides both OEM replacement headlights and custom projector assemblies designed for easy installation without rewiring.

5. Final Installation Tips

To ensure successful installation:

Disconnect the battery before removing the old headlight.

Avoid touching the LED chips or bulbs directly.

Test beam alignment on a flat surface before road use.

Seal the housing properly to maintain waterproof protection (IP67 or above).

Conclusion

Choosing the right headlight isn’t just about brightness — it’s about compatibility, precision, and safety. Whether you’re upgrading your H11 LED bulbs, installing projector headlights, or replacing an entire headlight assembly, compatibility ensures proper performance and long-term reliability.

At Conpexgroup.com, our engineering team continuously tests LED headlights, fog lights, and automotive lighting assemblies to guarantee perfect fitment and compliance for global markets.

    Need help finding the right headlight for your car?

Contact our team today or explore our Automotive Lighting Solutions

 for more options.