How to replace a headlight bulb
How to choose the right headlight bulb and install it yourself
Over time, headlight bulbs can dim or burn out, necessitating replacement. Knowing how to buy and replace headlight bulbs can save you time and money while ensuring your vehicle is safe on the road. This article will guide you through the process of selecting the right bulbs, tips for replacement, and tips on how to replace a headlight bulb yourself.
Understanding Headlight Bulbs
Before diving into purchasing and replacing headlight bulbs, it’s essential to understand the types available. Your headlight assembly was designed to work with the type of bulb that’s in it now. The reflector and lens produce the proper beam pattern only when you use the same type and number of bulb. Other types may physically fit into the headlight assembly, but that doesn’t mean they’ll produce the same beam pattern, On the contrary, swapping in a different type of bulb will throw less light on the road and cast more glare into oncoming traffic. Here are the various styles and technologies of headlight bulbs, including:
• Halogen Bulbs— The most common type, halogen bulbs are affordable and easy to replace. They have one to two tungsten filaments and are filled with halogen gas to prolong the life of the filament. They produce a warm yellow light but have a shorter lifespan compared to Xenon or LED bulbs.
• Xenon/HID Bulbs— High-Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs produce a brighter, whiter light. HID bulbs don’t have a filament. Instead, they create light by producing an arc between two electrodes. Xenon bulbs are more expensive and require additional components, like a ballast and ignitor.
• LED Bulbs— LED headlights are far more energy-efficient, long-lasting, and provide excellent visibility. They are becoming increasingly popular on new cars. However, even though many companies make retrofit bulbs to work in halogen headlight assemblies, they are not street legal and will not produce the proper beam pattern.
Should you spend more on a “better” headlight bulb?
Car makers use the cheapest headlight bulb that meets the Department of Transportation minimum standards. These bulbs output about 1,000 lumens and consume 55 watts. When it’s time to replace a headlight bulb, you may be tempted to upgrade to a brighter bulb. But there’s a downside to that approach because brighter bulbs don’t last nearly as long as the standard bulbs. Plus, they can cost as much as $25 each.
Start by looking up the bulb number in your owner’s manual
Pull out your owner’s manual and find bulbs in the index. Depending on your vehicle, it may list a bulb number for the low beams and a different bulb for the high beams. If your car doesn’t have separate high beams, it’ll list a bulb with two filaments. If your car also has a fog light, it’ll list a different number for those. Don’t confuse the different types—a high-beam bulb won’t fit in the low-beam bulb socket. The same applies to fog lights.
Next, consider your vision needs
Several companies sell brighter bulbs with a whiter light output. Those bulbs cost a lot more and have a much shorter lifespan. Factory headlight bulbs have a yellowish tinge and a color temperature of around 3,100°K with a 1000-hour lifespan. As a reference, daylight is around 5,500°K, and your brain sees this as a “whiter light.” The higher the bulb’s color temperature, the whiter the light. White light makes it easier to see objects at night. That’s why luxury car makers often use HID bulb headlights with a color temperature of around 4,800°K.
The price you pay for a brighter bulb
Sylvania Silver headlight bulbs claim they’re brighter or help you see farther down the road. But they’re much more expensive, so look at the reduced lifespan!
Here’s a listing of the lumens and lifespan of a bulbs that are comparable to the factory bulb according to bulbfacts.com
Sylvania Basic Halogen headlight bulb 1504 Lumens 1,134 hours $17.72 — #9007 2-pack at Amazon.com
Hella Standard Halogen headlight bulb 1482 Lumens 1,205 hours $12.52— #9007 2-pack at Amazon.com
GE Standard Halogen headlight bulb 1458 lumens 2,074 hours — $9.99 each at Amazon.com
Now let’s look at the lumens, lifespan and cost of those brighter bulbs
Sylvania SilverStar Ultra Halogen headlight bulb 1626 lumens 458 hours $24.40 — #9007 2-pack at Amazon.com
Sylvania SilverStar Halogen headlight bulb 1622 lumens 621 hours $19.69 — #9007 2-pack at Amazon.com
Sylvania SilverStar zXe Gold Halogen headlight bulb 1345 lumens 667 hours $32.98 — #9007 2-pack at Amazon.com
Philips Xtreme Vision 1586 lumens 802 hours $15.03 $15.05 — #9007 2-pack at Amazon.com
Philips Vision Plus Halogen headlight bulb 1613 lumens 997 hours $22.22 #9007 2-pack at Amazon.com
Philips Crystal Vision Halogen headlight bulb 1411 lumens 864 hours $29.62 #9007 2-pack at Amazon.com
GE Megalight Ultra Halogen headlight bulb 2036 lumens 585 hours
GE Megalight Halogen headlight bulb 1635 lumens 773 hours
Replace a headlight bulb
The procedure differs based on the vehicle. In extreme cases, you have to remove the bumper cover to access the headlight bulb. Refer to your owner’s manual for the exact procedure.
• Turn Off the Vehicle— Ensure the engine is off and the keys are out of the ignition to prevent any electrical issues.
• Remove the Old Bulb— Headlight bulbs are held in place by a spring and hook method or by twisting the bulb 1/3 of a turn. Note the bulb’s orientation as you pull it out so you can install the new bulb in the same orientation. Once loose from the headlight assembly, pull it out and away.
• Disconnect the Power Connector— Some electrical connectors have a locking tab. Depress or lift the tab to unlock the bulb. If there’s no locking tab, wiggle the connector off the bulb terminals.
• Discard the old bulb— It can go in the trash
• Handle the new with Care— Always wear gloves to avoid touching the glass part of the bulb. Oil from your fingers can cause the bulb to fail prematurely.
• Install the New Bulb:
• Reconnect the Power Connector: Firmly attach the connector to the new bulb.
©, 2016 Rick Muscoplat