Your Car Headlight Guide

The main role of the headlights on cars is to illuminate the roadway and at the same time facilitate fatigue-free and safe driving. Headlights as well as their light sources would be vehicle components which are relevant to safety. Official approval is required by them and it should not be tampered with. The nature as well as the location of the light would function on an automobile and their design, light sources, colours and photometric values and would be regulated by law.

The headlights which are situated on the front of the automobile is there to enable car drivers to see at night.

Are you searching for the different types of headlight? Then don’t worry! All you have to do is to have a look below and then all your doubts regarding its types would be cleared.

• Standard Headlights
• Projector Beam Headlights
• Halo Headlights
• HID Headlights
• LED Headlights
• Laser Headlights

Are you searching how do the headlight actually work? Then all you have to do is to have a look below and then you will be able to understand everything.

They are utilized to notify other drivers of your presence in foggy situations or a mountain pass where visibility might be very low. Earlier, the headlights were acetylene based flames which had to be manually lit by the driver. Now these days there are both high as well as low beam functions for a lot of driving conditions, and the car headlights can be toggled on or off from inside the passenger compartment by the driver. The switch would be hooked into the twelve volt power supply which would be running through the vehicle, and then when it would be activated, then it would send electricity to the headlights, which would in turn power them up. 

The main role of the headlights on cars is to illuminate the roadway and at the same time facilitate fatigue-free and safe driving. The headlights as well their light sources would be thus vehicle components which would be relevant to safety.

Do you want to know some frequent problems which might start occurring in the headlight? Take a look below to know some frequent problems with the headlight:

• There might be some issues related to the old age
• There can be extreme cold and heat
• Issues related to oxidation
• There might be cracks in bulb housing

Are you thinking of repairing your Headlight on your own? Then there is one thing which you must have, that is the right tools needed for repairing your Headlight. It is essential to make sure that you are outfitted with the right tools to get the work done properly. Have a look at some tools which you might need to get started with your repair work: -

• 4-in-1 screwdriver
• Wrench set

When it comes to vehicle owner’s choice, the brands really matter a lot. You might pay a premium for a specific car part brand, over time, as it has created a perception of quality, stability as well as trust. There are some leading car parts brands which are more than just products or services as they give rise to memories and emotions related with the quality. So have a look at some top brands for Headlight.

It is very important to arm yourself with information before you shop any auto part. We are here to help you dive deep into the names of the Headlight related parts.

• High Beam Indicator
• Headlight Socket
• Headlight Conversion Kits
• Headlight Sensor
• Headlight Motor
• Adjusting Screw

Headlight replacement cost can differ wildly depending on application, the brand of the Headlight as well as who does the work. All you have to do is to replace your faulty Headlight with us online and then you can leave your car to the mechanic and pick it up a few days later. Just be sure that the car mechanic is highly skilled and has a good reputation. Sometimes the additional service level might cost you more than what you have expected. We also recommend you to take pictures of your car before you leave it with them so that you are sure that later on it is returned back to you in an unharmed condition. The cost at which the bulb and headlight would be replaced would differ depending upon the car’s make and model and whether the work would be done yourself or would it be done by a mechanic. If you will visit a dealership, then it would always be expensive, but at the same time you will have that peace of mind that you are getting a quality product but at a considerably higher cost. If you want to substitute your halogen bulb, then it would generally range between $15 to $20. Talking about the work expenses, they would be around $50 and the average cost to replace an entire headlight assembly would be valued somewhere in the range of $250 to $700.

Part 1 of 4: Identify the headlight components

Step 1:

• Firstly you should find the headlight controls. The headlight controls are almost always positioned in one of two places.

Step 2:

• Then it is essential to determine the meaning of the headlight symbols. In order to use the correct headlight setting, there would be a need to identify the different headlight symbols.
• The car headlights would be automatically turned to the offsetting, which would be generally a symbol of an empty circle, or the word “off”. There would be a symbol of two lights which would be facing in opposite directions, which would indicate the parking lights or daytime lights. There would be a symbol of a large light facing left which would indicate the main headlights.
• If there are automatic headlights in your vehicle, then they would be indicated with the word “auto,” or the letter “A” which would be enclosed in an upside-down headlight.

Tip: If there are fog lights in your vehicle, then the symbol would be near the main headlight controls, but not in line with the other controls. The fog lights would be indicated by a symbol which would be the same to the headlight symbol, but with the light angled downward.

Part 2 of 4: Using the headlights

Step 1

• The headlights should then be turned on. After that the headlight switch should be rotated until it would be on the setting that you wish to use. There would be a notch in each setting which would make it clear that the switch would be in the right place.

Tip: When the headlight switch would be rotated to the automatic setting, then the headlights would be turned on or off as it all depends upon the current light levels which would be outside the automobile.

Step 2:

• The headlights should then be turned off. Now once you have done driving, then just be sure that the headlights should be turned off. If you want to do so, then you should rotate the switch of the headlight to the original “off” position.

Warning: If the headlights would be turned on after turning off the automobile, then the battery would start to drain. There would be a limited about of time when your lights would stay on before the battery would die. The vehicle will chime when the lights are turned on but the ignition is off so that this situation can be avoided.

Part 3 of 4: Using the high beams and the fog lights

Step 1:

• The high beams should then be turned on. Extra light is provided by the high beam lights when it would be very dark out.
• If you want to turn on the high beams, then you should push the turn signal lever forward, or it should be pulled towards you until it would lock into place. The lever should then be returned to its original position to turn off the high beams.
• Now when the high beam lights would be turned on, then a blue symbol which would be the same to the headlight symbol would start illuminating on the instrument panel.

Warning: While the visibility would be increased by the high beams, then it would result in an intense glare which would decrease the visibility for your surroundings. Just keep in mind to turn off your high beams when there would be oncoming traffic, or when you would be directly behind another vehicle.

Step 2:

• The fog lights should then be turned on. The fog lights can be utilized in addition to the headlights to increase visibility in foggy, misty, or rainy weather.
• If you want to turn on the fog lights, then you should carefully rotate the fog light switch, or press the fog light button. The switch or button would be situated directly next to the headlight controls.

Part 4 of 4: Maintaining your headlights

Step 1:

• You should then inspect the operation of your headlights. If you want to ensure safety and avoid fix-it tickets, then it should be frequently checked to make sure that all of your lights work.
• It can be done by having an acquaintance stand in front of your vehicle while you would switch between the different headlight settings. Just make sure that they would inspect both front lights.

Warning: Just make sure to replace the headlight as soon as you would notice that one or more of your headlights are not working properly.

Step 2:

• You should be aware of headlight warnings. If there would be some failure in your headlight system, then there would be an illumination of the warning light on the control panel.
• This light would be often a flashing headlight indicator with an “X” through it, or a headlight indicator with an exclamation point next to it. If you are noticing a headlight warning light, then you should contact a certified mechanic.

Tips: If you are noticing that the headlight symbol has started to illuminate on the instrument panel, then just make sure that it is a warning light, and not the high beam indicator.

Do you want to change your headlight on your own? Then have a look at the steps of changing the headlight below:

You should always inspect the owner’s manual for details on how you should change the headlight in your particular automobile, as well as what light bulb should be purchased.

Step 1 - Power your car down

• If you want to ensure safety, then you should turn off your car and then the keys should be taken out of the ignition.

Step 2 - Open engine compartment

• The car’s hood should then be popped and then headlight holder should be located near the front of the car.

Step 3 - Disconnect the headlight bulb power wires

• Generally there are three wires attached to the base of the light bulb. The clip or cap holding should then be pushed down holding them in place.

Step 4 - Unscrew the old headlight bulb

• Each and every car is different and that is why in some cars you can get right to the bulb but in some car you cannot. There can be sometimes the car battery or the air filter housing would be in the way and there can be times when you will have to take the inner fender out and should then get behind it.
• If you are able to open the headlight, then it would be just a matter of changing the halogen bulb. It would mean how the bulb would be locked in and then carefully unlocking it.

Step 5 - Screw in the new headlight bulb

• The new bulb should be gently screwed in without touching the glass of the bulb; oil and dirt on your hands as it might cause the bulb to burst once it would be heated up. The hood of the car should then be closed. When the new bulb would be in place, then the headlights should be once again be as good as new, and then you should once again enjoy driving your car day or night.