Beep! Beep! How to properly upgrade your car horn

Every driver or motorist who gets behind the steering wheel of a vehicle knows where and how to use it. But this is not something everyone thinks about or gives much importance to. That is, until needed and it doesn’t work. 

Given the uniquely challenging traffic conditions that we have here in the Philippines, having a horn that’s in proper working condition is a must-have item. It’s no wonder we have a lot of vehicle owners who immediately upgrade their car horns straight from the car dealership with not just one set, but some go through having several pairs installed.

These car owners want a loud horn that can wake the entire neighborhood. But before heading out to your nearest car accessory shop and getting a pair or several sets, let’s understand its essential functions, reasons for upgrading/changing, types or horns, and basic installation procedures.

Car horn 101

The car horn is a tool to communicate between the driver and other motorists or road users. The car horn is usually used to give a signal or as a sign to other road users for the safety of both parties, for example, when you want to overtake, ask for road space, and so on.

The horn is one of the mandatory features that must be available on vehicles. To activate this feature, the driver pushes the horn button, usually located in the middle of the steering wheel.

The sound produced must comply with the applicable rules for the horn to function optimally. Here in the Philippines, the allowable sound level for horns used by cars, jeeps, vans, and other vehicles, as mandated by the Metro Manila Development Agency, should not exceed 85 decibels.

Buses and cargo trucks should have horns that must not exceed 91 decibels.  This also includes the ban on installing loud power horns and sirens (wang-wang) that produce exceptionally loud or startling sounds for all types of vehicles that traverse the thoroughfares of Metro Manila.

Why change the horn?

Like most vehicle components, horns wear out and fail over time, making it the primary reason. Most automakers opt to use just a small single-tone horn that other drivers/motorists can barely hear, necessitating upgrading.

Other drivers want to add a better-sounding and more efficient set of car horns. Whatever your reason for not liking the factory part, upgrading or changing the OEM car horn is one of the most popular car accessory upgrades available.

What should I look for?

That depends on what you want. If you’re happy with the factory tone but need a new one, strongly consider getting a factory-type direct replacement. This should be the same size as the OEM ones and have the same terminals or sockets.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for something louder, then this requires getting a set of bigger horns. Although this upgrade will need to be properly installed, it entails using aftermarket brackets and electrical relays. For instance, Ford used a universal OEM horn kit for its cars. The kit included a universal bracket that would fit into all car models with proper adjustment. You may still find it at Sarasotaford.com, a leading Ford dealer known for their reliable service and quality.

Types of car horns

The most common types of car horns that are currently in use are air-pressure horns and the electric car horn.

Air Pressure Horns

This kind of horn operates when air pressure is applied, and it happens when the air compresses inside the horn and lets it pass through a reed, producing a sound. Usually, air pressure horns are used in vehicles that contain air tanks, such as those found in trucks.

Electric Car Horn

This horn is the most common and widely used on modern vehicles. Electric car horns can either be a wind tone or an electric horn type—the difference between the two lies in how sounds are emitted.

In the wind tone type, the horn comes out directly from the diaphragm and then to a windpipe. It is commonly found in modern cars because it triggers the opening as a bugle.

Car horn installation

Most OEM-type car horns are just plug-and-play as these are similar in size, making them fit in the same factory location. This includes the same electrical sockets or terminals found on the OEM ones.

First, you can disconnect the negative battery terminal to reduce the risk of causing a short if your wire or tool accidentally comes in contact with the car's chassis.

Unbolt the old ones, take out the terminals, and it’s just a matter of installing the new ones.

If you’re considering upgrading the car horns, this entails having it done by a qualified electrician or installer. This is because it requires a wire run from the battery to power them and then wire into the existing horns system using an electrical relay. In most cases, the accessory shop offers this service upon purchasing a set of car horns.