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HOW LONG DO HEADLIGHTS LAST?


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The end of daylight saving in November marks the start of longer, darker nights.
That means many of us will spend more time during the winter months driving in
the dark, relying on our headlights to light the way. Are your headlights up to
the task? If you have older halogen headlight bulbs, they might be ready for
replacement.

Halogen headlight bulbs can lose up to 50 feet of visibility before burnout –
that’s the equivalent of a semi-truck trailer! Most drivers are unaware of this
fact, not realizing bulbs should be replaced before they burn out. Just like
your wiper blades and brakes wear out over time so do headlight bulbs, changing
your headlights as part of your regular car maintenance will help improve your
nighttime driving visibility.



 1. The Lifespan of Headlights
 2. Maintaining your headlights
 3. When to Replace your Headlights

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THE LIFESPAN OF HEADLIGHTS



As halogen bulbs age, the tungsten evaporates from the filament and deposits to
the glass walls, creating haze and darkening, resulting in blocked light and
irregular light distribution. The natural aging of the bulb along with other
factors including your vehicle type and voltage, driving habits, environmental
conditions, bulb technology and the performance level of your bulb, all impact
the lifespan. The average life listed on your bulb package is calculated from
many of these factors in addition to lab testing by the manufacturer.

Your vehicle’s make and model play a role in determining the life expectancy of
your headlight bulbs. Cars and trucks often vary their voltage output, ranging
from 12 to 14 volts. Voltage applied to the bulb will contribute to the
degradation of the tungsten filament and overall life of the bulb. Certain
factors such as frequent driving on dirt or rough roads might cause a shorter
lifespan due to the increased vibrations. The time of the year can play a role
as well, bulbs are used more often in the winter therefore the change in seasons
can contribute to the overall life of the bulb. Lastly, your driving habits may
contribute – take into consideration that the average driver will use their low
beam headlights an estimated 200 hours per year, how often are you driving at
night?

It’s important to understand that with any high-performance product, there may
be trade-offs. In the case of bulbs, a coated, premium product trades lifespan
for improved performance. Higher performance halogen bulbs provide whiter light,
more clarity, improved contrast and allow for more light down road. This trade
up for increased visibility with a premium bulb versus a longer bulb life with
standard OEM bulbs can be important to those who drive frequently at night.




MAINTAINING YOUR HEADLIGHTS



It is important to check the aiming of your headlight lamp as part of your
regular car maintenance. Over time, bulbs can become misaligned resulting in
your beam pattern straying – potentially impacting both your visibility and
drivers around you. This can be easily checked by shining your headlights on a
wall or garage door.

In addition to checking your headlight aim, it is also important to check your
headlight lens condition. As your vehicle ages, the headlight lens will
naturally become cloudy, discolored, or hazy due to UV exposure from the sun and
environmental factors. This not only impacts your light output, but it can also
make it harder for other drivers to see you. A headlight restoration kit helps
to restore headlight lens clarity to a like-new, clear appearance. This is a
quick and price-conscious DIY project to transform the look of your lenses and
improve your nighttime driving experience.




WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR HEADLIGHTS



A good rule of thumb is if you can’t remember the last time you replaced your
headlights, it’s probably time. Unlike tires and wiper blades, where you can
visibly see the wear and tear, headlight dimming is not easily discernable by
the naked eye. Headlight bulbs wear down over time, just as your tires, wipers
and brakes do too. This lumen loss translates directly to light lost on the
road, impacting your downroad viewing distance, which can be up to 50 feet of
visibility loss before burnout. Make bulb replacement part of your regular
vehicle maintenance routine to ensure maximum visibility on the road.

When replacing your headlights, remember to wear gloves! Touching the glass can
transfer oils from your skin, resulting in hot spots which may cause premature
burnout. If you accidentally touch the glass during installation, be sure to
clean it with rubbing alcohol prior to installing.

Just like many vehicle parts, your headlights should also be replaced in pairs.
It is not uncommon for just one headlight bulb to burn out, however as
headlights are on at the same time it’s likely the other side is not far behind
for burning out. In addition, replacing only one, dim or burned out headlight
bulb will create uneven light, brightness and color, impacting your down road
visibility. Save time by replacing your headlights in pairs.

Don’t drive dim – replace your bulbs before they burn out. The auto parts
experts at your local AutoZone can help you find the right bulbs along with
how-to install instruction videos for your car today. If the job is too big for
you, seek out one of our Preferred Shops to help you do the job.

Advice, how-to guides, and car care information featured on AutoZone.com and
AutoZone Advice & How-To’s are presented as helpful resources for general
maintenance and automotive repairs from a general perspective only and should be
used at your own risk. Information is accurate and true to the best of
AutoZone’s knowledge, however, there may be omissions, errors or mistakes.

Be sure to consult your owner’s manual, a repair guide, an AutoZoner at a store
near you, or a licensed, professional mechanic for vehicle-specific repair
information. Refer to the service manual for specific diagnostic, repair and
tool information for your particular vehicle. Always chock your wheels prior to
lifting a vehicle. Always disconnect the negative battery cable before servicing
an electrical application on the vehicle to protect its electrical circuits in
the event that a wire is accidentally pierced or grounded. Use caution when
working with automotive batteries. Sulfuric acid is caustic and can burn
clothing and skin or cause blindness. Always wear gloves and safety glasses and
other personal protection equipment, and work in a well-ventilated area. Should
electrolyte get on your body or clothing, neutralize it immediately with a
solution of baking soda and water. Do not wear ties or loose clothing when
working on your vehicle.

FREE Loan-A-Tool® program requires returnable deposit. Please note that the tool
that you receive after placing an online order may be in a used but operable
condition due to the nature of the Loan-A-Tool® program.

Related Posts


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Read More


HOW TO REPLACE A TURN LIGHT BULB

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HIGH BEAM VS. LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT

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Drive confidently at night with clear visibility and minimal glare.

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BEST HEADLIGHT BULBS: A BUYER’S GUIDE

Discover the best headlights to enhance visibility. Choose the right balance of
affordability and performance to drive with confidence, day or night.

Read More


WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEADLIGHT BULBS?

From budget-friendly halogens to advanced LEDs, grasp the essentials of each
headlight bulb type. Upgrade wisely for enhanced safety and style.

Read More

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