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952.931.9696

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Mon-Thu: 7am -6pm
Friday: 7am – 5pm

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If the Headlights are Poor, it Could be the Bulb

by | Jul 16, 2015 | Auto Repair, Driving Habits, Headlights and Tail Lights, Night Driving

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The headlights are important for the safety of you and your vehicle. Your headlights help provide better visibility while driving not only at night, but during the day and while experiencing rainy or foggy conditions. When it comes time to replace your headlight bulbs you can start by lifting the hood and taking off the headlight cover. Then you will take off the old light bulb and replace it with the new one and replace the headlight cover. After the replacement of the new bulbs has been done check to make sure both headlights are working properly. Your tail lights should not go untouched either. These should be inspected too for not only your safety but for others as well. Also, check your blinker lights to make sure they are properly working. These bulbs can be replaced just as easily as your headlights can.

Signs the Bulb should be Replaced

Since you are the one always driving your vehicle you might not know when your bulbs need replacing. You can find out by pulling your vehicle into a dimly lit area or garage, turn on your lights and see if you can see both headlights light up. It is just as important to check your high beams as well. If neither come on or if you can’t tell a difference between the high and low beams then this is an indicator that your bulbs might be burnt out or almost there. By checking your light bulbs this way, it is safer because you are not driving down the road at night and not being able to see when it is too late.

Care for the Headlights

Over time your headlights can begin to look foggy from dirt and grime that has built up overtime, which also makes it more difficult to see as your headlights are dimmed. You can rub the outside cover with toothpaste and a cloth until the dirt comes off. If that does not work then you might have to take off the headlight cover completely and wipe them clean. Making sure that the lights on your car are working properly is essential. Regularly performing a light inspection on your vehicle will help you to catch any problems there might be with your lights, keeping you safe while on the road.

Different Types of Headlight Bulbs

The size and type of bulb your car takes is dependent on the specifics of your car. The year of your car was made is important to the bulb size as well as the model of car. If you are unsure of either of these, then check your owner’s manual for the appropriate year and model. Picking out the right bulb is important too. Most vehicles made after the 1990s use HID or high intensity discharge bulbs. These bulbs provide a brighter light and also last much longer than lights that use tungsten filament which were used before. LED (light emitting diodes) lighting is more advanced that HID lighting. This type of bulb is extremely bright and very long lasting.