Although we do not think about them often, our headlights are an important safety feature on our vehicles. We need bright headlights to help illuminate the road and improve our visibility at night. While there are several reasons why your headlights might look dim, there are also several solutions available.
Burned Out Bulb
Just like the light bulbs in your home, the bulbs in your headlights have a lifespan. While the typical halogen bulb in your headlight will last between 450 and 1,000 hours, the amount of night driving you do, how much vibration the bulbs receive when you are driving, and the climate you operate your vehicle in all factor into the longevity of bulbs. If your headlight is dull or completely burned out, simply replacing the bulb could solve the problem.
Cloudy Lenses
At one time, car manufacturers used glass lenses over headlights. However, modern cars now have plastic lenses. While the plastic lenses are safer and more durable, they can also start to get foggy or cloudy from UV exposure. If you notice a film building over headlights, this could be the cause of the dimness. In this case, there are several options for cleaning the lens. Most car supply stores carry a variety of products specifically designed to clean headlight lenses. However, if you are in a pinch, there are also products around your house that you can use.
Just like toothpaste polishes and cleans teeth, it is also abrasive enough to remove the film on your headlights without damaging the lenses. Start by cleaning any dirt or debris off your headlights. Next, protect the paint surrounding the headlight by applying some blue painter’s tape around it. After that, put a small amount of toothpaste on a clean, damp cloth. Firmly rub the toothpaste on the headlight using small circles. Leave the toothpaste on for a few minutes, and then rinse it off.
If your headlights still look cloudy, you can apply another coat of toothpaste and use a small brush to remove it. When your headlights look clean, buff away any residual cleaner with a cloth. You can also apply car wax to help protect the lenses from future damage.
Misaligned Headlights
If you had to remove your headlights to change the bulb or clean them, it is important to make sure they are lined up properly. If they are pointing too far down or too far up, you will not get the full amount of light, and they can still look dim. To test the aim, park your car on a leveled surface a few inches from a large wall or garage door. Mark the spot where the headlights shine using chalk. Back up about 25 feet and make sure the headlights are still pointing close to the spot you marked.
Brightening your headlights is typically an easy fix. However, if you are still having problems with dim headlights, you can take your vehicle to your Houston Honda dealer and let one of our trained technicians help you fix the problem.
Image “Headlight” by gadgetdude, used under CC BY 2.0
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