Hybrid Cars
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How To Change Your Car's Headlights
Like other car parts, your headlights will eventually die; you can count on them burning out. They can potentially last for years, but once they expire, you'll need to replace them. Of course, the driver is often the last person to notice. They're usually alerted to the problem by other drivers, friends, and even police officers (who are happy to commemorate the occasion by giving you a ticket). Fortunately, replacing the lights is usually simple, and especially so in new vehicles. In this article, I'll describe what you need to perform the job. We'll also discuss the differences between doing the work on new and old cars.
Getting Started
First, you should look at your owner's manual for bulb specifications. Not all automakers include the information within the manual, but if they do, follow it. If you can't find the car manufacturer's recommendations, ask one of the employees at an auto parts retailer. They have access to comprehensive manuals they can refer to, which can be instrumental in selecting the right headlights. Also, keep in mind that many vehicles use different lamps for low and high beams. For example, the low beams may use standard 35-watt bulbs while the high beams require 55-watt units.
Another consideration: there are different types of headlights that you can choose as replacements. Some lamps are marketed as "vision improvement" lights and sell at a premium. Others, like "blue" lamps (or Xenon bulbs), are designed specifically for aesthetic purposes (and also command premium prices). Finally, a few companies offer "long life" lamps. They're advertised as lasting several times the lifespan of traditional headlights. Of course, they cost significantly more.
New Versus Old
If you're driving a vehicle that is less than 5 years old, changing the headlights is a matter of popping out the burnt bulb and swapping it for a new one. It's easy and only takes a few minutes. Older cars - and even a few newer foreign models - are a bit more difficult, though the job is still simple. The reason is because the entire lamp needs to be taken out of its cavity to replace the light. You'll need to unscrew the unit to take it off its frame. Then, you'll have to disconnect a small wire socket from the old bulb, connecting it to the replacement before screwing the lamp back into place. It takes a few extra minutes, but it's not complicated.
The last challenge is making sure the positions of your replacement bulbs don't cause your lights to point oddly. If they do, you'll need to adjust them and that can require some trial and error.
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