One thing you might forget about inspecting on your vehicle are the lights. The headlights, taillights, and blinkers are all important for the overall safety of you and your passengers. Without the lights, you would not be able to see the road effectively, but also it would reduce the chance of others seeing you. With proper lights that are aimed and lit correctly, your safety will increase. The lights on a vehicle have changed over time. These changes have been beneficial for everyone. The new technology for the headlights is LED lights. These provide the brightest and clearest view while driving at night and claim to last the longest. If you notice that a headlight is not illuminating like it used to do, make sure to bring the vehicle in so we can inspect all the lights for you. This can increase the safety when you drive, as well as provide a pleasant driving experience.
The Lifespan of the Headlights
The lights on your vehicle will not give a warning for when they are starting to go out. You will have to notice when the light is not aimed or lights up the road like it used to. This is why it is good to know the estimated life of the headlights and taillights on your vehicle. You may not know their exact life span because there are so many factors that affect it. Manufacturers usually have some type of estimate for this. This lifespan estimate is developed using a complex formula involving voltage, watts, lumens and a few other factors. Each contributing factor, as well as real world testing, is crunched together and an approximate number is determined. If you are getting near the end of this estimated life then it is a good idea to bring the vehicle in so we can check the lights for you.
Regular Maintenance is Required
Headlight systems require periodic maintenance. Sealed beam headlights are modular so when the filament burns out, the entire unit is replaced. Most vehicles made since the late nineteen hundreds use headlight lens-reflector assemblies that are considered a part of the vehicle. Just the bulb is then replaced when it fails. Be sure not to touch the glass bulb with bare hands. The oil or moisture from human skin can cause the bulb to overheat and burn out prematurely. Headlight aim must be properly checked and adjusted frequently. Misaimed lamps can harm the vision from other drivers and stop you from seeing effectively at night. Over time the headlight lens can deteriorate. Sand and gravel can cause it to become pitted. This will not allow light to pass through easily and could crack to let water into the headlamp. Water on the bulb can cause it to burn out. The water can also cause the headlight to short out. If you have plastic lenses, they can often become cloudy or discolored. This is due to the oxidation of the hard coat on the lens surface. Major damage will require the entire lens to be replaced.
Safety Benefits from Headlights
If you drive through a thunderstorm or heavy snowfall at night, you may notice that the headlights glare off the precipitation more than the road ahead. Scientists are developing a way to concentrate the light in between the drops or flakes to increase visibility. The headlight is actually an array of bulbs. No matter what type of light you have for your vehicle, make sure to bring it in so we can inspect the headlights, taillights, and blinkers for you.
