2022-02-01 418 cars news How to Replace A Cars Headlight Bulbs | Ultimate Guide

How to Replace A Cars Headlight Bulbs | Ultimate Guide

Last Updated: February 21, 2021

Have you ever been driving down the road and noticed one of your headlights were out?

Your car might prompt you with a message such as “headlight malfunction”, or maybe you’ll just get a little yellow bulb icon that turns ON and that’s it.

You KNOW it’s just a matter of time before the other bulb goes dead and you’ll end up “driving blind”. While it’s true that bulbs do go bad a few times during a cars lifetime, it’s also true that it’s very easy to replace them.

When it becomes time to replace your headlight bulb(s), don’t worry. In most cases, it can take less than 30 minutes of your time. In this article, I’ll outline each necessary step required to make your process seemless.

Replacing Your Bulb: Steps

Step 1 of 5: Figure Out The Type of Bulb You Need.

Ways believe it:.

The Owners Manual
Internet

First, you need to figure out the correct size of the light bulbs. One of the easiest ways to check this information is to look at the user's manual of your car.

Most cars have original owner manuals in GloveBox. In case you do not have one, there is another option. 2nd option - just use the Internet.

Use these requests, any other similar combination to shorten the search:

"Year" + "Make" + "Model" + "The size of the headlight lamp" + "diagram"

I can not sufficiently emphasize that almost every car has its own unique requirements. Some cars need different dimensions of the bulbs for low and high beam lamps (which means that two different lamps are required).

If you live in an area where Autozone, advance auto parts, oreillys or any other car spare parts are near, call them or just stop and ask.

For some reason, if Sylvania has a highlighted page to help you find the exact size of the light bulb. You will have to deal with different settings to narrow your car, but there you have to find what you are looking for.

Once you find out this, you need to know if you replace xenon, halogen or LED lamps.

If you do not know what makes each type of lamp Great, I broke it below:

HALOGEN - MOST COMMON AND CheAPEST OPTION WITH DECENT LIGHT OUTPUT. Their Lifespan Tends to Be Quite Long, But The Energy The Use Tends to Be Wasted Through Heat.
Xenon / Hid - The Brightest of Them All, Working Quite Well In Projector and Reflector Housings. They Are The most Expensive Option and Can Cause A Lot Of Glare to Other Drivers.
LED - Use Far Less Heat to Operate Than Hid's or Halogens. Their Brightness Levels Are Between Halogen and Xenon Bulbs. WHEN IT COMES TO LONGEVITY, THEY CAN LAST THE LONGEST (by a good margin).

Caution: It is important to use the correct lamp type. The inability to do this can lead to overheating of the light bulbs, the headlight housing and melting of the connections.

Step 2 of 5: Buying The Right Kit.

Now that you have the right size, you need to choose the appropriate lamp type. If your car came with halogen lamps, you can either replace with their halogen or xenon. If possible, comes with HID (xenon) headlight bulbs, it will be the brightest option.

If your car has projectors, it is possible to replace the bulbs or halogen, xenon or even the LED. For example, Toyota Prius from 2010 had a headlight projector casing with halogen lamps. I finished finding a set of LED bulbs that were converated directly in the housing.

Step 3 of 5: Remove The Old Headlight Bulbs.

Take your new bulbs from the package and retain them aside. If you work with a halogen or xenon, put on the latex gloves so that you do not touch the lamps with bare hands (the oil from your fingers can cause the bulge prematurely).

Open your hood and find the bulbs, whether high or low beams. This guide is created only for general knowledge, and not specific for any particular car.

Access to lamps are usually quite simple, but in rare cases you either have to unscrew several bolts to get there or even remove the front bumper.

Assuming that you can easily access your lamps, withdraw them and put them aside.

Note. Keep your car.

STEP 4 OF 5. REPLACE WITH NEW BULBS.

Before installing new headlights, do not replace only one bully. It is strongly recommended to replace both, even if the other still works.

You can keep good somewhere for emergencies, but a rule to replace with pairs.

Install the headlight lamps into the appropriate case.

Step 5 of 5. Reconnect and Test.

Before collecting everything you divorced, check your bulbs to make sure they work properly. This can be done, fixed new bulbs in place, reuniting the necessary wires and turn on the light. Although the lights are alone, go before your car and make a visual inspection.

They:

Installed Correctly.
Pointing in the right direction.
Both Emit The Same Brightness.

After these things checked, continue and collect everything you have divorced.

IT WILL BE 100% Worth IT

If you do not have automatic headlights, be sure to adjust the bulbs to lines with each other evenly. As soon as you install the lamp, and everything checks, you have reached the end of this manual.

You can say that it was too simplified, and you will be right. For some it may not be so easy.

Personally, I did it at least a dozen times on my own car (Chevrolet Bolt EV). The difference between the lamps and the HID LED was significant. I am certified like a guy as a whole, they are also instantaneously as an electric acceleration of the car.

Even if your bulbs are not burned, but you notice the lack of productivity, get the best. Look at the right type of light bulbs for your car. If you want a few tips, contact me (contact your reference below).