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Saturday, July 25, 2009

Causes of Blown Headlight Bulbs and How to Correct It

By Ethan Melandri

Your vehicle may be burning through your headlights too quickly, and there are usually numerous reasons for why this is occurring. If you can discover the issue you will be able to save yourself from purchasing replacement bulbs, and thus the need to change them.

What is the Frequency of Use for Your Headlights?

The typical expected lifespan of a standard halogen headlight bulb is around 350 to 400 hours, so if you are driving a lot during the long winter nights or even if you keep your headlights on during the day it is possible that your bulbs could only last 2 to 3 months.

Its important to note that if you have fitted upgrade xenon bulbs they will normally last only around 200 hours, because they have been in effect tweaked to improve their light output. For drivers who do use their headlight bulbs for long periods you can reduce the amount of time between changes by fitting long life headlight bulbs.

These tougher car bulbs contain heavy duty reinforced components and so last normally three times longer than standard halogen bulbs, whilst still offering the same lighting performance as normal halogen bulbs.

Do You Wear Gloves to Change the Headlight Bulbs?

Glass bulbs are very sensitive. If you touch the glass during the changing of the bulbs your skin's oils are getting on the light, thus leaving a residue behind. Halogen bulbs have what are called hotspots when oil is left on the glass. This hotspot will burn quicker and thus the light will fail. You should always wear gloves, like latex, when changing out halogen lights.

Moisture or Vibration Affects Light Bulbs

Manufacturers of headlight bulbs use a reinforced glass in the construction process so they will be able to handle the demands of the road. However, a thermal shock can occur if water gets into the headlight connectors or into the bulb itself. It is important to check that your bulb is protected in the holder from bumps, jolts, or moisture that could harm the filament.

Is Your Wiring System Correct?

In the headlights there are electrical connectors which supplies power to the bulb. You will need to make sure these metal connectors are in the right place and secure to avoid a short circuit or burning of the bulb.

You also want to check that the alternator is not providing too much power to the battery, which offers a higher voltage than the bulb can handle. Volts for a headlight bulb are 13.2 as a maximum.

Do You Have Quality Light Bulbs for Vehicles?

Saving money can be important; however buying inexpensive headlight bulbs results in lower quality components. Osram and Philips are two top manufacturers of headlights providing durable and quality materials in their bulbs. You want a quality bulb that has the E1 mark, which shows the rigorous testing and standards they have been through. - 21396

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