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Everything You Need To Know About Headlight Bulbs

What Is Car Headlight Bulbs?

It is the automobile’s headlights (or headlamps) which would help in serving to illuminate the road during night time driving and then to make sure that the automobile would be visible during the daytime driving. The headlamp system would include a low beam which is utilized for normal driving, and a high beam which would be only used when no other cars would be there on the road. The cars in the past relied on round, sealed-beam lamps, the latest automobiles feature headlamps with aerodynamic shapes and replaceable halogen bulbs. 

Types Of Car Headlight Bulbs

Are you searching for the different types of headlight bulbs? Then don’t worry! All you have to do is to have a look below and then all your doubts regarding its types would be cleared.

LED:

The tail lights which are formed of a lot of light-emitting diodes have been around for a lot of years. The LED daytime running lights are seen a lot and LED headlights are now arriving on some upper-end models. The LED’s would be simply semiconductors with no wear-and-tear parts, which should – in theory – last the lifetime of the car.

HID or xenon bulbs:

The high intensity discharge (HID) bulbs, or ‘xenon’s’, have an arc of high-voltage current rather than a metal filament so that it can produce light. It would be quite common a family and mainstream car, which would be either as a factory-fitted option or an aftermarket upgrade.

Halogen bulbs:

A traditional as well as low-cost lighting option would be the halogen light bulbs which would continue to be widely fitted. There are a lot of ways with which they can be upgraded. Have a look at the following options:

  • so-called 'brighter' bulbs which would claim to offer between 30% and 100% more light.
  • energy-saving bulbs should be designed to last longer and reduce energy consumption.
  • xenon-effect or ‘blue’ bulbs, which emit a blueish light, mainly for cosmetic effect.

How Do Car Headlight Bulbs Work?

Are you searching how do the headlight bulbs actually work? Then all you have to do is to have a look below and then you will be able to understand everything.

 

There would be a bulb incorporated in a headlamp which would be placed in front of a reflector (or a series of mirrors) which would project a beam of light through a lens and would then direct the beam to the road ahead. More light is produced by halogen lamps and at the same time the output of the heat would be less than the older incandescent bulbs because of the halogen gas which would be injected into the bulb. Even more light is provided by the HID, or “Xenon,” headlamps by producing an electrical arc for illumination rather than a glowing tungsten filament. There are some late automobiles which would feature self-levelling headlamps which would remain level with the road regardless of the angle of the vehicle. The automobiles with "adaptive headlamps" would use motor to shift the focus of the lamp so that the curves on the road can be followed. 

Purpose Of Car Headlight Bulbs

The main purpose of the headlights on cars would be to illuminate the roadway and facilitate fatigue-free as well as safe driving. Headlights and their light sources would be thus vehicle components which would be relevant to safety.

Frequent Problem With Car Headlight Bulbs

Do you want to know some frequent problems which might start occurring in the headlight bulbs? Take a look below to know some frequent problems with the headlight bulbs:

  • Some faults in the voltage / alternator regulator (A.K.A Voltage Stabilizer)
  • There might be loose wiring connections to the bulb holder/bulb
  • Inferior quality of bulbs
  •  Issues related to touching the bulbs glass on installation
  • There might be excessive vibration
  • There can be a lot of condensation in the headlight

Symptoms Of Bad Car Headlight Bulbs

There are a few things which might cause your headlight bulbs to malfunction. Watch for the following symptoms if you suspect bad headlight bulbs:

  • The headlights might be dim
  • Headlights might start flickering on and off
  • Issues related to headlight is out

Tools Needed For Car Headlight Bulbs

There are a number of skilled auto mechanics who have a goal of opening their own car repair shop at some point in their career. But let’s face it; if you want to put up an efficient as well as profit making shop, then you might need much more than mechanical skills. There are a number of tools which you might need to perform the car repairs quickly as well as reliably. Auto repair equipment that you will need to repair your Headlight Bulbs may include:

 

  • New light bulb(s) -- Make sure you get the right type of bulb for your vehicle (your local auto parts store should be able to match a bulb with your make and model)
  • Alcohol wipes and tissues (to clean and hold the new bulb)
  • Phillips screwdriver

Top Brands For Car Headlight Bulbs

If customers trust a brand, then it would make them loyal, and if they are loyal, then they will surely buy more. We are well aware that customers want comfort, cheerfulness as well as satisfaction in their lives and that’s the reason why we offer top quality auto parts brands to our customers. We make sure to provide a positive experience to our consumers from the brands which we are offering so that they can form an opinion that a particular auto parts brand is trustworthy and would give them peace of mind while they are purchasing it for their car. Here we have listed out some top brands for Headlight Bulbs.

 

Philips Headlight Bulbs

Sylvania Headlight Bulbs

Putco Lighting Headlight Bulbs

Wagner Headlight Bulbs

Various Manufacturers Headlight Bulbs

Piaa Headlight Bulbs

General Electric Headlight Bulbs

Hella Headlight Bulbs

Rampage Products Headlight Bulbs

Related Parts Of Car Headlight Bulbs

There might be a big-picture overview of Headlight Bulbs in your mind, and now it’s time to look at its related components.

 

Total Costs & Repair Times, Effort For Car Headlight Bulbs

If you are looking for Headlight Bulbs Replacement Cost”, Headlight Bulbs Replacement Labor Cost”, “Average Cost Of Headlight Bulbs Swap” or “How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Car Headlight Bulbs”, then keep on reading further! If you are seeing blown Headlight Bulbs signs from your vehicle, then it means that a repair bill is coming. More than other failures on a car, there is nothing that is like a faulty Headlight Bulbs. Now if your car Headlight Bulbs goes bad, then it would cause a lot of issues in the functioning of your car and it would turn into an abandoned home. Don’t worry and just think about the happiness when an empty shell would become whole again and much better than it was earlier through quality Headlight Bulbs replacement. Keep in mind that the Headlight Bulbs replacement cost would depend upon the type of automobile, brand, as well as various other factors. If you want to substitute your headlight bulb, then it would generally range between $191 and $348.Talking about the work expenses, they would range between $44 and $56 and the parts would be valued somewhere in the range of $147 and $292.

Can I Drive With A Car Headlamp Bulb Problem?

It would be possible to drive a vehicle with a headlamp bulb which has been burned out, but it is not at all legal in a lot of states and it some a burned out headlamp bulb would be considered an equipment malfunction. Make sure that you drive with care if there is a burned out headlamp, as the lights serve not only to illuminate the road, but would also act as a signal to the drivers to oncoming traffic. Make sure to replace the burned out headlamp bulb as soon as possible.

How Often Do Car Headlamp Bulbs Need To Be Replaced?

The lifespan of a headlight bulb would totally depend upon how often the lights have been utilized and how roughly the automobile has been driven and how the bulb was handled during the process of installation. A standard halogen headlight bulb can easily as long as one thousand hours of operation, and a high intensity discharge (HID or "Xenon") bulb can last twice as long. Since there are sensitive filaments in the headlight bulbs, rough driving or frequent driving over rough roads might cause the bulbs to wear out faster. The oil which would come from the technician's hand during installation might start creating hot spots on a headlight bulb, which would cause the bulb to burn out faster.

How Are Car Headlamp Bulb Issues Diagnosed?

A technician would be able to inspect the headlight bulb which would not appear to be working by performing some tests. First of all he would inspect to make sure that the connector which would lead from the wiring harness to the headlight bulbs should be clean as well as in contact. There can be times when a faulty connection to the headlight bulb might cause a lamp to fail. After that the technician would inspect to make sure that the bulb would be getting power by probing the connector with a multimeter and then inspecting for proper voltage. The bulb can be checked itself by holding it up to the light to see if the internal filament would be broken, but sometimes it would be difficult to tell if it would be intact. A better way to inspect the bulb would be to check for continuity with a multimeter. Then finally, the technician would be able to inspect the bulb which would appear to be burned out by plugging it in place of the other headlight which would be working to see if the bulb would not be operating properly........

How To Change Car Headlight Bulbs?

Do you want to change your headlight bulbs on your own? Then have a look at the steps of changing the headlight bulbs below:

Step 1 - Locate the Bulb Holder

  • There are a lot of instances, where there would not be the requirement of any tools to replace your vehicle's headlight bulbs; in others, there would be a need of a pair of pliers or a screwdriver. It is essential to inspect the owner's manual first. You should make sure that your car should be turned off and then it should be parked in a safe location. The hood of the car should then be opened up and then you should locate the back of the headlight and then the bulb holder should be found. There would be three wires coming out of a plug which would be shaped like a trapezoid.

Step 2- Remove the Wiring Harness

The three wires would be then attached to a plug which would be situated at the base of the headlight itself. The plug would be then held in place by a plastic catch, a metal clip, or, in some cases, a screw cap.

  • For a plastic catch, you'll see a little lever which would be sticking up at the top of the plug. It should then be pressed down with your thumb while pulling firmly but gently. Then you should slide it off.
  • For a metal clip, pull up and away and the plug would come off in your hand.
  • Now for a screw cap, you should simply unscrew the plug by turning it counter-clockwise (the old righty-tighty/lefty-loosey guide might not apply here as you are doing a reach-around).

Step 3 - Remove the Old Bulb

  • When the wiring would be out of the way, then you should be able to pull the bulb out by holding onto the base. There can be some cases, there would be a need to rotate the bulb slightly so that it can release or gently wiggle it to loosen it.

Step 4 - Put the New Bulb in Place

  • Before the new bulb has been taken of the packaging, then a tissue or a clean rag should be grabbed. The glass of the bulb should be touched by using a tissue or rag. Now if the oils present on your skin would get on the glass bulb, then it can start burning out as soon as you would turn the headlight. The plug end of the bulb should be held and then you should stick it into the back of the headlight. Just be sure that you have visually confirmed that it is all in the way. You would be able to tell as it would be lined up evenly.

Step 5 - Check Your Lights

  • The wiring should then be plugged back in and then the headlight should be re-secured. Inspecting your new headlight bulb would be as simple as turning on your car's headlights. If one or both of the bulbs would not start to turn on, then it is essential to check the wiring to make sure that they have been connected securely.
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Maria Padepakas
Public Relations Head Writer
Striving on the pure essence of simplicity our PR head writer is known to introduce solutions for consumers that helps facilitate the selection of millions of premium auto parts. Ensuring purchases are always a click away!