What does the marking of car headlights mean?

The headlight unit code according to the international standard reflects all the characteristics of the optics. The marking allows the driver to correctly and quickly select a spare part, find out the type of lamps used without a sample, and also compare the year of manufacture of the part with the year of manufacture of the car for indirect verification of an accident.

What is labeling for and what does it mean

First of all, the marking on the headlamp helps the driver decide what type of bulbs can be installed instead of burned out ones. In addition, the label contains a large amount of additional information: from the year of manufacture to the country of certification, as well as information on compliance with standards.

According to the international standard (UNECE Regulations N99 / GOST R41.99-99), optical equipment installed on wheeled vehicles (cars) must be marked according to an approved sample.

The code, which contains the letters of the Latin alphabet, decodes all information about the car headlight:

• the type of lamps intended for installation in a specific unit;
• model, version and modification;
• category;
• lighting parameters;
• the direction of the luminous flux (for the right and left side);
• country that issued the certificate of conformity;
• date of manufacture.

In addition to the international standard, some companies, for example, Hella and Koito, use individual markings in which additional equipment parameters are prescribed. Although their standards do not contradict international rules.

The marking is melted on the plastic sidelight and duplicated on the back of the case under the hood in the form of a sticker. A protected sticker cannot be removed and reinstalled on another product without damage, therefore low-quality optics often do not have a full-fledged marking.

Main Functions

The marking is used so that the driver or technician can immediately find out information about the used optics. This helps when the same model in different trim levels is equipped with several headlight modifications.

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The first letter in the code indicates the compliance of the optics with the quality standard for a particular region.

Letter E indicates that the headlamp meets the optical equipment standards adopted for European and Japanese cars.

SAE, DOT - Indicates that the headlamp meets the American Technical Inspectorate's standard for automotive optics in the United States.

The number after the first letter indicates the country of manufacture or the state that issued the approval for the use of this class of optics. The approval certificate guarantees the safety of a particular model for use on public roads within the limits of the established modes (daytime running lights, high beam, low beam, etc.).

The table below provides a short list of country matching.

Code digit	Country	Code digit	Country
1	Germany	12	Austria
2	France	16	Norway
3	Italy	17	Finland
4	Netherlands	18	Denmark
5	Sweden	20	Poland
7	Hungary	21	Portugal
8	Czech Republic	22	Russia
9	Spain	25	Croatia
11	United Kingdom	29	Belarus

In the international marking of car headlights, the following combinations of symbols are adopted, which determine the type and place of installation of the headlamp unit, class of lamps, range of light, flux power.

In terms of functionality and operating parameters, optics are marked with symbols:

• A - head optics;
• B - fog lights;
• L - license plate illumination;
• C - headlamp for dipped beam bulbs;
• RL - daytime running lights;
• R - block for high beam lamps.

If the headlamp unit goes under universal lamps with built-in high / low beam switching, the following combinations are used in the code:

1. HR - high beam should be provided with a halogen lamp.
2. HC / HR - the headlight is designed for halogens, the unit has two modules (holders) for low and high beam lamps. If this HC / HR mark is used on a Japanese headlight, then it can be converted to use xenon lamps.

Lamp type marking

Automotive lamps have a different degree of heating, transmission of a light beam, a certain power. For correct operation, you need diffusers, lenses and other equipment that comes with a particular headlight.

Until 2010, it was forbidden in the Russian Federation to install xenon lamps in headlights designed for halogen. Now such a modification is allowed, but must be provided in advance by the manufacturer, or certified by special bodies.

To get an accurate idea of ​​the lamp parameter, combinations are used:

1. HCR - a single halogen lamp is installed in the unit, which provides high and low beam illumination.
2. CR - headlamp for standard incandescent lamps. It is considered outdated and can be found on cars over 10 years old.
3. DC, DCR, DR - international markings for xenon headlights, which all OEMs adhere to. Letter D indicates that the headlamp is equipped with the corresponding reflector and lenses.

   Fog lights with code HC, HR, HC / R are not designed for xenon. It is also forbidden to install xenon in the rear lighting.

4. PL is an additional marking that denotes the use of a plastic reflector in the headlamp unit.

Additional code combinations to indicate the characteristics of the optics:

• DC / DR - xenon headlight with two modules.
• DCR - long range xenon.
• DC - xenon low beam.

On the sticker, you can often see an arrow and a set of symbols to indicate the direction of travel:

• LHD - left hand drive.
• RHD - Right Hand Drive.

How to decode LED

Licensed equipment for LED lamps is marked HCR in the code. In addition, all lenses and reflectors in the ice headlights of cars have an embossed LED symbol.

The design of the headlight for diodes differs from the blocks for halogen lamps in the material of manufacture. Diodes have a minimum heating temperature compared to halogen ones, and if LEDs can be equipped with a headlight designed for xenon and halogen, then reverse reinstallation is not recommended, because halogen lamps have a high heating temperature.

In addition to letters and numbers, there is a brand logo in the marking of a car headlight. It can be either a trademark or the familiar “Made in…” combination.

The daytime running lights are not yet marked. The use of lamps of a certain power and class is regulated in the SDA.

Anti-theft marking

The anti-theft markings on the headlights are a separate unique code. Designed to reduce the theft of optics from the car, the cost of which is quite high for premium models.

It is applied by engraving on the headlight housing or lens. The following information can be encrypted in the code:

• VIN-code of the car;
• part serial number;
• Car model;
• production date, etc.

If no such mark is available, it can be applied by your dealer. This is done with a special device using laser engraving.

Useful video

Check out more information on how and where to find headlamp markings in the video below:

Headlight marking is a convenient way to find out all the information about the light sources used on a particular car, to correctly replace the bulbs, and also to find a new headlight to replace the broken one.

Questions and answers:

What should be written on the xenon headlight? The headlamp designed for halogen is marked with H, and the version in which xenon can be installed is marked D2S, DCR, DC, D.

What are the letters on the headlights for xenon? D - xenon headlights. C - low beam. R - high beam. In the marking of the headlamp, only the low beam markings can be found, and maybe together with the high beam.

How to find out what bulbs are in the headlights? The C / R mark is used to indicate the low / high beam. Halogens are identified by the letter H, xenon - D in combination with the corresponding letters of the range of the light beam.