Why You Need To Replace Headlight Bulbs In Pairs

Updated Aug 16, 2022 | Same topic: Handy Maintenance Tips

Is it time to replace your car headlights? Read our article to get proper steps on equipping your car new headlamps.

Headlight bulbs start to give out notably less illumination in no less than two or three years of use, projecting dimmer illuminations that may put the driver and the passenger at risk. Decreased visibility to drivers will be the output if headlight bulbs will not be replaced in pairs resulting to an extension of risk to his passengers.

What's more, approaching drivers may encounter trouble seeing oncoming vehicles with only one front lamp working at a full limit. So it is a must to keep up a reliable light beam in both headlights of your car makes driving on the street more secure for drivers, passengers and approaching drivers.

1. Replacing Busted Headlight Bulbs

It is inevitable and unpredictable when the light bulbs of our headlights will burn out or dim just because of numerous reasons over time. When this happens, experts strongly advise having them replaced as soon as possible. To help you in changing your car's headlight bulbs, Philkotse.com prepared some handy guide for you.

2. Know the anatomy of your car for accessibility and refer to the manuals

Luckily, in general, it is just the bulbs that need replacement. The new car models have an accessible means to get the bulbs out from its storage. Normally, bulbs are located under the back of the headlight housing. You can simply lift the hood off the car to access these headlights.

Just remember that if it is your first time to change the bulbs, it is always a must to read the user’s manual first to get the exact model, the exact bulb needed, and how to do things for your car’s model.

Man reading manual

It is always a must to read the user’s manual first to get the exact model, the exact bulb needed, and how to do things for your car’s model

3. Replace the appropriate bulbs for your car

The well-known headlight type is the Halogen and it is commonly used. There are kinds of bulbs that produce brighter and clearer illumination, and these are the LED and HID (high-intensity discharge) bulbs. Unfortunately, most cars were built matched with the halogen bulb, meaning, it is strongly discouraged to replace the halogen bulb with the latter types.

Man changing headlight bulbs

The well-known headlight type is the Halogen and it is commonly used

4. Wear gloves to prevent transferring oil to the bulb

When you want to replace the bulbs yourself, it is highly advised to wear gloves (latex or non-latex) in order to avoid transferring oils and dirt from your hand to the bulb. The oils and dirt that will be transferred to the bulb may form a “hot spot” giving out bad illumination prematurely.

5. Change bulbs in pairs

Oftentimes, car owners will only replace the busted bulb or the one that has dimmer illumination. However, by changing just one of the busted bulb will only result in an unbalanced light beam which can actually pose a hazardous risk to the driver. As a driver, you can get lesser and unbalanced lit from the headlights making the road not properly illuminated decreases the purpose and function of the headlights themselves.

Pair of headlights

Changing just one of the busted bulb will only result in an unbalanced light beam which can actually pose a hazardous risk to the driver

6. Reasons To Change In Pairs

6.1. Headlight care is mostly overlooked

Most car enthusiasts and automotive service technicians and professionals know that the concept of changing both the headlight bulb is for the driver’s safety, first and foremost. In fact, replacing everything, including wiper blades, brakes, tires, and shocks, in pairs will promote balance and efficiency to the vehicle in general. So the concept of changing the lights in pairs isn’t a new golden rule, it has been there since the start.

Headlight bulbs give out less light as they age. Appropriately replacing these lamps is as essential as all other car maintenance. Leaving one light dimmed or totally burn out may cause driving to be difficult for you and for the other drivers.

6.2. Night driving needs full illumination for safety and precautions

Night driving makes the visual acuity of the drivers to go down at about 70% than that of daylight driving. In the recent statistics, almost 50% of fatalities on the road happens at night and the main culprit is the reduced night vision. That’s why it is a foremost priority to check that the headlights are working appropriately and giving out balanced illumination so they can be as operational as what the carmaker intended them to be.

Night road

Night driving makes the visual acuity of the drivers to go down at about 70% than that of daylight driving

6.3. Replacing bulbs in pairs promotes balance and safety

After 2-3 years, the light that is produced by the headlight will soon to deteriorate making the night driving a little compromised. In light of this, it is advised to not just replace the deteriorating bulb but replace both of the headlight bulbs to ensure that the driver will benefit the full efficiency of the bulbs for a safer ride.

On the other hand, approaching drivers will also have an equal advantage if there will be an even headlight beam in his perspective.

   Balance light beam

Replace both of the headlight bulbs to ensure that the driver will benefit the full efficiency of the bulbs for a safer ride

Stock headlights that were installed by the carmakers ought to reduce its illumination almost the same time. When a bulb dims, it’s safe to say that the other bulb will soon be gone as well. So when this happens, it is safer if you replace both your headlights already; this will also spare you a trip to another auto service shop next time the other bulb burns out.

7. It Pays To Replace In Pairs

Keeping up a steady headlight beam in pairs makes the street more secure for drivers, approaching drivers and all the passengers. When you replace just one of the headlights, the result of the illumination will be unequal and unbalanced, giving deficient lighting that can bargain driver’s visibility on the road. Likewise, approaching drivers may encounter trouble seeing vehicles with only one front light working at a full limit.

As the saying goes, “there is safety in numbers”, replacing parts of your car in pairs ensure balance and efficiency which promotes safety for everyone on the road. This will prevent you from losing the light of the other bulb when you are on travel, hence saving you from danger and another trip to the car shop.

One of the major players in keeping the motorists and everyone on the road safe is the vehicle lighting given out by the headlights, tail lights and signal lights. Aside from the proper use of these lights, the proper car maintenance and care should also be practiced to enjoy the full benefit and safety, just as what the carmaker intended to be.

Hanna Sanchez

Hanna Sanchez

Author

Hanna is one of the most competitive swimmers in the country during her day. It was not long before she discovered her passion for the automotive industry as well. Nowadays, she balances her passion through writing as well as coaching.

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