How often do headlight bulbs burn out?
Headlights are not just handy accessories, they are essential for driving at night. They are also important for safety, which is why many modern cars are equipped with daytime running lights as a standard feature. Of course the light...
Headlights are not just handy accessories, they are essential for driving at night. They are also important for safety, which is why many modern cars are equipped with daytime running lights as a standard feature. Of course, light bulbs have a limited lifespan, and this should be stated on the packaging of the light bulb you buy, as you will eventually need to replace them. If you find that you have to change your headlight bulbs very often, this is a sign that something is wrong.
Possible causes of frequent burnout of light bulbs
There are a few potential issues that can shorten the life of your car's light bulb. However, keep in mind that the more you use your headlights, the faster they burn out. If your car has automatic daytime running lights (i.e. more than just parking lights) or you drive a lot at night, you will definitely use the bulbs faster than other drivers. Other problems are also possible:
Skin Contact: If you replace your own incandescent bulbs and touch them with bare skin, you will automatically shorten the life. Contact with the skin leaves oil on the bulb, creating hot spots and shortening the life of the bulb. Wear latex gloves when changing headlights.
ReboundA: If your lamps are placed in an unreliable position, there is a chance that they may jump up and down. Excessive vibration can break the filament (the part that heats up to create light) inside the bulb. If there is some play in the bulb housing after installation, you may need a new lens.
Incorrect installation: Light bulbs must be installed smoothly, without jerking, prying or other efforts. It is possible that an incorrect installation procedure damages the lamp.
Wrong voltage: Headlights are designed to operate with a certain voltage. If your alternator starts to fail, it may be creating voltage fluctuations. This can cause the lamp to burn out prematurely (and you will also need to replace the alternator).
Condensation: The inside of the headlight lens must be clean and dry. If there is moisture inside, then it will accumulate on the surface of the bulb, which will eventually lead to its burnout.
These are just some of the problems that can cause your lamps to fail prematurely. The best advice would be to entrust the diagnosis and troubleshooting to a professional mechanic.
