When Should the Headlights Be Replaced?

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Headlight Replace

Many drivers don’t pay much attention to headlights or headlamps until they are damaged or dimmed. Doing so can harm these drivers and lead to major accidents. By replacing your headlights and headlight bulbs on time, you can save yourself a lot of trouble. Now the question arises of how to know when it is time to replace your car’s headlight bulbs and headlights.

How to Change a Car Headlight Bulb?

Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs and High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlight bulbs can be easily replaced with Cork headlight bulbs. To know how to replace a car headlight bulb, you should know about the bulbs used in headlights. You can check your car manual or consult the auto parts people to find out what type of bulb it is. You open the hood and take out the bulb. 

Remove lamp contacts and other parts such as splash shields, air cleaner housings, and washer fluid bottles for easy access to bulbs. Do not touch the glass of the new bulb, as oil or dirt contamination may cause the bulb to explode. If this ever happens to you and the bulb is damaged, you should replace the lamp or housing headlight unit. Carefully reinstall all parts of the car’s headlight by replacing the bulb.

When to Replace Headlight Bulbs?

Did you know that car headlights must be replaced after about 2,000 and 3,000 hours? If the light emitted by the car is not enough to see in the dark, or if it is constantly bothering you, it is time to replace your car’s headlights. Headlight replacement can be expensive depending on the quality and brand of the headlight, so it’s important to maintain your headlights to avoid unnecessary expenses. You can replace the headlight bulbs without the help of a mechanic. There are various ways by which you can maintain your car’s headlights.

  • After Two Years

The life of your headlight bulbs depends on various factors, such as how much you drive at night. Generally, headlight bulbs last for 750 hours, and replacing them every 500 miles is best. A good rule of thumb is to not use your car bulbs for more than two years and replace them as soon as possible to avoid any problems. The HIDs headlights available today illuminate the sides of the road more efficiently. The best HID headlights are brighter than a halogen bulb.

  • Blinking Headlights

The blinking of the bulb indicates that their time is about to expire. The headlight bulb fails if the lights go on and off while driving at night. In most cases, flickering headlights are not a major concern. You can drive the car for a limited distance until you buy new bulbs, but try not to wait too long.

  • Dim Headlights

Dim headlights don’t mean your bulb is bad; you must replace the entire headlight. New bulbs are usually brighter, but they gradually dim over time. You should first check if the lens of your headlight bulb is clean; then, the bulb may need replacement.

  • A Headlight is Out

Any driver who is driving with only one headlight working should purchase new headlight bulbs for both headlights (not just the one that is not working). Without a new bulb, the second headlight will likely wear out sooner.

How to Maintenance Your Car Headlights?

  • Keep Your Headlights Clean and Polished

Everything in a car needs proper maintenance, cleaning and polishing. Clean your pores daily and remove dirt and dust. This mud or dust can block the light from the headlights, affecting its visibility. To extend the life of your bulbs, be sure to keep them turned off when not in use.

  • Always Observe the Lights

Monitor your lights and always note that none are malfunctioning. By doing this, you can avoid mistakes or failures. You can also use your mechanic’s help to diagnose any fault in your car’s brake lights.

  • Drive Carefully 

First, you must avoid damage by driving carefully and ensuring a fender bender due to tailgating occurs. Ideally, it is good to follow the two-second rule, which states to stay two seconds back from the vehicle in front of you while driving.

  • Replace Broken Headlight Parts

Replacing the broken and defective parts of your car’s headlights is important. Driving with broken headlights can put you at risk. A bad part of the headlights also affects other parts of the headlights. If the damage is too much, it is better to replace the car headlights.

  • Car Headlight Repair 

Car headlight repair may also be done using DIY tips and tricks. You can use a repair manual or watch a YouTube video guide about car headlight repair. Ensure the manual or the video is specific to your car model; otherwise, experimenting with it can cause a heavy loss.

FAQs

How has Headlight Technology Changed over the Year?

Headlight technology has evolved a lot over the last couple of decades. Once upon a time, cars had sealed headlights (you had to replace the housing, too, whenever a bulb blew). Then came permanent lenses and small replaceable bulbs – halogen bulbs are the most common, but there are several other bulbs, including xenon bulbs and LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs.

How Many Years Do Headlights Last?

A standard headlight normally lasts five years, but that’s not the case with some replacement bulbs. Most cars have had at least one headlight replacement during their lifetime, especially considering the average age of cars on the road is about 12 years.

What Causes Headlights to Go Out?

A bad component like a fuse, relay, or module causes most total headlight failures. Wiring problems can also cause both headlights to stop working. The high beams and the low beams don’t work.

Final Words

Installing your car’s headlight can be daunting for any driver, but once you learn it, it becomes easy. If you still have trouble after this, you should have your headlights installed by a professional light installer. Keep your car’s headlights clean and well-maintained to avoid unnecessary hassles and expenses.