How hot do the headlight and taillight bulbs get?

All light bulbs heat up during operation - this is the nature of their work. With the exception of LEDs and fluorescent lamps, light bulbs operate on the principle of resistance. Electric current is directed through a light bulb. The filament is designed to resist the flow of electrons. This resistance creates heat and the filament glows. Different types of filaments (and different gases in the bulb itself) glow brighter than others. How hot do the headlight and taillight bulbs get?

Type question

There is no single answer here. This largely depends on the type of lamp you are using. A standard halogen headlight bulb can reach several hundred degrees during operation, and the headlight lens itself can reach over 100 degrees. HID lamps can reach very, very high temperatures (much higher than halogen lamps). Xenon plasma lamps also reach very high temperatures.

The taillight bulbs are slightly different from the headlights. The light doesn't have to be so bright, and the red lens helps make the light emitted from the filament brighter. Lamps work on the same principle, but they use different wattages, filaments and gases. However, the rear light bulbs can become very hot during operation. They can be uncomfortable to touch after use, but they don't reach the 100-300-degree temperature range that even inexpensive headlights come with.

A warning

If you will be replacing bulbs in your headlights or taillights, be careful. If the lights have already been used, allow them to cool completely before attempting to change the light bulb or serious burns could result.