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Besides just looking tacky, a burnt out headlight bulb on your car isn’t safe. Believe it or not, automobile makers put those there for a reason. So if you have already had a conversation with Mr. Patrolman or want to avoid one, headlight bulb and lamp maintenance is a necessity.
Let’s take a look at how to replace those bulbs. Many newer model cars don’t have external screws to remove the headlight housing. In this case to replace bulbs on the rear of the car grab a flashlight and check in the trunk. Lots of luxury model cars, minivans, and wagons have access to the headlight housing through the trunk.
Once the housing is located, it should be obvious what method is needed to actually get inside. Pay attention to how the housing is installed. Many models are equipped to allow replacing a headlight bulb without completely removing the fixture.
In some cases all that you will need to do is turn the socket 90 degrees and change the bulb without the necessity of tools. Talk about a no brainer.
If the manufacturer wasn’t that kind, it’s okay. Changing the headlight bulb will just take a little more time and patience. Sometimes the vehicle will have fasteners that need to be removed to access the headlight housing.
They should be simple to remove without any problem. These fasteners are normally made of plastic. If screws are involved, a few minutes with a screwdriver will have you ready to go and road worthy. The make and model of the vehicle greatly determines the ease or difficulty of this job.
On the plus side, replacing interior lights usually pose no problems. They are often made to be popped out. From there replace the bulb and snap the fixture back in place. At least something was made to be easy.
Now that you have actually gotten into the headlight housing there are few tips to keep in mind for easy completion.
With the exception of a headlight bulb, it is a good idea to coat the bulb’s exterior socket and any contacts with a layer of grease product.
Some examples of grease that work well are petroleum jelly, lithium chassis, or dielectric grease. Completing this step helps to protect the socket from corrosion due to water.
Another trick to consider is to use amber colored lenses over clear bulbs. The amber colored lenses deflect much of the glare of brand new headlight bulbs but leave the quality of light intact.
To determine which size and type of headlight bulb to use your vehicle’s owner manual is the resource to check. If it was lost, thrown away, or whatever, the local auto parts store should be able to point you in the right direction.
LED bulbs are widely available for most makes and models. Advantages to this type of bulb are numerous. They product less heat than standard bulbs, last longer, and achieve full power faster. If considering using LED bulbs be sure to check the lumen output to make sure they are bright enough.
In most situations, replacing the headlight bulbs in your car is a simple, quick procedure. Doing so will make your driving experience safer and quite possibly save you from that unpleasant chat with Mr. Patrolman.