IOWA CITYAUTOMOTIVE HEADLIGHT BULB REPLACEMENT

The Basics Behind Headlight Bulb Replacement Services at Mobile Auto Truck Repair Iowa City

Automotive Headlight Bulb Replacement Service near Iowa City IA: Headlight bulbs provide visibility for drivers and alert both pedestrians and other motorists to a vehicle’s presence. Bulbs are primarily composed of glass, a low pressure inert gas, a filament, and wires. Using the electricity provided by a vehicle’s charging system, bulbs produce a strong, steady light. A motorist can alter the bulb’s level of brightness to a low or high beam setting. Motorists tend to use low beams at night or during periods of inclement weather. In contrast, drivers generally use high beams at night when it is especially dark and other sources of lights are unavailable. When bulbs produce light at the high beam setting they can also cause glare, so drivers should be careful when using high beams around others. Some higher quality bulbs will function at optimal levels for several years. All headlight bulbs will eventually require replacement as their filaments fail from use over time.

Why Should You Have Headlight Bulb Replacement Services Performed atMobile Auto Truck Repair Iowa City?

When your lights no longer illuminate the road as brightly as they once did, it might be time to visit us so our service staff can replace your headlight bulbs. When one or more of your bulbs burn out, allow us to help. We’ll work with you to find the correct replacement bulb for your vehicle’s particular make and model. Our knowledgeable employees will ensure that your new headlights provide you with the proper visibility while causing little to no interference to other motorists. We understand it is important for you to have trustworthy, functioning headlight bulbs equipped on your vehicle, and we would like the opportunity to help you find and install suitable replacements. Just contact us online or give us a call the next time your headlight bulbs begin to dim.

Change a Headlight Bulb in 4 Steps

Automotive Headlight Bulb Replacement Service near Iowa City IA: You can have the fanciest wheels but it won’t matter much if your headlights aren’t working (and as we know from numerous movies and cop shows, a burned-out light will lead to an unwelcome stop by a highway patrol car). Fortunately, replacing a headlight bulb is a relatively painless process.

Tools you need:

• New light bulb(s) — Make sure you get the right type of bulb for your vehicle (your local auto parts store should be able to match a bulb with your make and model)
• Alcohol wipes and tissues (to clean and hold the new bulb)
• Phillips screwdriver

Step 1: Locate the headlight holder

You’ll access your headlight bulb through your engine compartment, rather than from the front of the car. Open your hood and locate the headlight near the front of the vehicle. It will be in a bulb holder, with a power connector (usually three wires) leading to the bulb.

Step 2: Remove the power wires

The power wires are attached to a plug at the base of the headlight, and held by a plastic catch, a metal clip or a screw cap, depending on your vehicle. The plastic catch will have a small lever at the top push down on it while you pull the plug out. If you’re dealing with a metal clip, pull it up and away, and be sure to hold onto it as you pull. If you’re dealing with a screw cap, you can unscrew it by turning it counter-clockwise.

Step 3: Remove the old bulb.

Once the wires have been disconnected, you should be able to remove the back of the headlight holder and remove the old bulb by holding onto the base. In some cases, you may have to rotate the bulb a bit to get it free.

Step 4: Clean and install the new bulb.

Handle the new bulb with tissues or gloves you don’t want oils from your skin getting on it. You should also give it a good cleaning with an alcohol wipe before you install it. Once the bulb is ready, stick it into the base of the plug. If it’s installed correctly, none of the bulb’s rubber gasket will be showing. Once the bulb is in you can put the headlight holder back in place and plug the power wires back in. Make sure you test the bulb by turning on your headlights.

Extra: Replacing Tail Light Bulbs

The process for replacing rear tail lights (including your brake lights) is slightly different from working with your headlights. On some models the housing that includes the bulb is unscrewed from the outside, and on others you must unscrew it from inside the trunk. Once you’ve unscrewed the housing you may have to deal with tabs, screws or small knobs to open the tail light cover and access the bulb (make sure not to lose the screws if you need to remove them). You won’t need to remove the electrical wiring, but make sure you don’t pull out the housing too far, so you don’t rip the wires.

To unscrew the bulb, you should be able to pull it out directly (most modern vehicles are like this) or push it in and unscrew at the same time. Once the new bulb is in, replace the housing and reattach it (screws, tabs, knobs, etc.). Again, make sure you test the bulb by putting the key in the ignition and trying the brakes.

What causes car headlights to go out?

1. Old age

Automotive Headlight Bulb Replacement Service near Iowa City IA: The most common culprit for a burned-out light is age, You could be driving and not notice that one of your headlights is out, and then, since the other one is the same age, within weeks that one might just go bad, too,” he says. Suddenly the problem becomes scarily apparent.

2. Extreme cold and heat

Besides age, extreme cold or heat can also cause headlights to burn out. The changes in temperature can impact the lightbulb filament, which is very delicate.

3. Oxidation

With newer halogen bulbs, another cause of dimming lights can be oxidation of the plastic housing, causing it to appear white or yellowish. This diminishes the beam of light that helps drivers to see the dark road ahead, he says. “In that case, you would have to replace the whole headlight assembly,” he adds.

4. Cracks in bulb housing

In addition, any cracks in the housing can cause halogen bulbs to burn out because these can’t take any moisture. So you could put a new bulb in there and within a day or two it will blow out because of the humidity and the wetness,. Also, these bulbs cannot be touched by your fingers; if you’re installing it, you have to use rubber gloves because if you put your finger on the bulb the salt from your sweat will burn that bulb right out.”

Have a safety plan in case your headlight burns out while driving. Make sure to practice safe driving when you’re on the road.

We understand it is important for you to have trustworthy, functioning headlight bulbs equipped on your vehicle, and we would like the opportunity to help you find and install suitable replacements. Just contact us online or give us a call Mobile Auto Truck Repair Iowa City, the next time your headlight bulbs begin to dim.